Respectful debate leads to General Synod reiterating traditional teaching on sexuality

General Synod Opening Devotions

A well-attended and attentive General Synod gathered last Saturday, the final day of

Synod, to debate the subject of human sexuality.
On the first day of the Synod (Thursday), there had been three motions (8A-C), but the first had been challenged by the Dean of Cork, the Very Revd Nigel Dunne, who stated that it should have been in the form of a Bill because, in his view, it contained “a modification or alteration of doctrine”.
The Archbishop of Armagh, following advice from his Assessor, Lyndon MacCann SC, said that because of doubt about the matter, he would not take motion 8A. The following motions, 8B and 8C, were not put to the Synod.

On Saturday, a composite form of the three motions, which omitted a phrase in the preamble to the original motion 8A, but still clearly put forward the traditional view, was proposed by the Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Revd Michael Jackson, seconded by the Bishop of Down and Dromore, the Rt Revd Harold Miller.

Editorial
GENERAL SYNOD SEXUALITY DEBATE

Last week’s General Synod meeting in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, had a full agenda, but the proceedings inevitably were dominated by the controversy over human sexuality issues. There was unexpected confusion over the topic on the first day, but the Archbishop of Armagh handled the three-day meeting, and this particularly motive issue, graciously and effectively. No one would have envied him his task.

Since the civil partnership of the Dean of Leighlin became a controversy early last autumn, the subject of same sex relationships has remained live and at times hotly debated, leading to the unprecedented special March conference at the Slieve Russell Hotel, Co. Cavan, and to the debate at the General Synod. That debate brought many thoughtful speeches, for and against the motion in the names of the Archbishop of Dublin and the Bishop of Down and Dromore, and coming from the Bishops corporately. However, until the voting it was not at all clear whether the Synod would accept or reject the traditional approach that had been put before it.

The traditional teaching of the Church of Ireland on the subjects of sexual expression and marriage had been stated by the Archbishop of Armagh as early as last autumn, but it had been widely felt that the General Synod itself also needed to indicate the teaching, as well as proposing a way forward in the current circumstances of difference of opinion and controversy. The General Synod did that last week, underscoring the Archbishop’s concise statement with a more detailed statement and requesting the Standing Committee to bring forward a proposal to the General Synod next year for the formation of a Select Committee to continue the dialogue and reflection.

Following the vote on the motion, the Archbishop of Armagh said that the matter concerned the doctrine and the life of the Church but was also about ordinary men and women, and expressed the view that further study of the subject would be an enriching process. While those who wanted a different outcome will be disappointed, the Church as a whole needed the debate. Its outcome does not change the fundamental situation but, not least by providing for structured and formal further consideration of the issue, the resolution has not disregarded what is clearly a substantial minority.

Home News

• Renowned Co. Armagh choir raises funds for Haiti earthquake victims
• Statement from gay members of the Church of Ireland
• Major, one-day symposium on Bible reading and engagement
• Summer Madness, Church Army youth appointment
• Tribute Canon Charles Robert (Bob) Jordeson Rudd

Features and Columns

• Soap – Down at St. Davids
• Rethinking Church – Stephen Neil - The real threat to marriage
• Lifelines – Ron Elsdon - Jesus rules – ok?

General Synod Reports

• Presidential Address
• Resolution on Human Sexuality – Full Text
• Administration - Concern over EU Single Farm Payment Scheme expressed in Standing Committee debate
• Ecumenical & Interfaith Affairs - Archbishop reports ‘exciting developments’ in dialogue
• Education - Major issues in education highlighted
• Archbishops’ Press Conference
• Mission & Ministry - Difference over Christian – Muslim relations during mission debate
• Magazine and website competition RESULTS
• General Synod Eucharist
• Synod devotions
• Synod attendance

FULL TEXT E-PAPER Available  … Why not subscribe for the year - Click here 

Service marks 350 years of 1662 Book of Common Prayer

1662 Book of Common Prayer (J. Baskerville’s 1672 printing)

Last week, a special service of Evensong was held in St Paul’s Cathedral, London, marking the 350th anniversary of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer.

The first Book of Common Prayer, of 1549, is associated with Archbishop Thomas Cranmer and the 1662 revision, still the official prayer book of the Church of England, although widely displaced by the alternative Common Worship prayer book, was largely the work of Bishop John Cosin, Bishop of Durham from 1660-1672.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, attended last week’s service, along with members of Prayer Book societies in different countries.

Editorial

ANGLICAN COMMUNICATIONS

A recent meeting in London of the Anglican Communion Communications Working Group found that the Communion faces a shortage of qualified communicators and concluded that the Communion’s life is “at risk of being detrimentally affected by some Provinces’ inability to source and share their news and stories widely”. Moreover, the vital nature of communicating proactively, and not only reactively, was also stressed.

The Anglican Communion’s Director for Communication, Jan Butter, drew attention to the massive changes that have taken place in communications over just the last ten years, citing the Internet, mobile phone technology and the social media as challenging the way in which the Anglican Communion “can and should engage in God’s mission”.

A member of the Working Group, Bishop Anthony Poggo of the Episcopal Church of Sudan, indicated that the meeting had made several recommendations to strengthen Anglican Communion communications, including conducting a Communion-wide audit to identify gaps in Provinces’ communications systems and structures, strengthening the Anglican Communion website and News Service, and providing training in communications for both communicators and clergy. The Bishop drew special attention to what he described as a “key recommendation”, namely, that every Province should have at least one paid, qualified Communications Director.

There is no doubt that the Anglican Communion, embracing such a wide diversity of nations, all at different stages of development, faces a considerable challenge to improve Communionwide communication. However, the Communion is fortunate to have the services of Mr Butter himself, who keeps a careful watching brief on Communion affairs. Then again, at our own Church of Ireland level, we are especially fortunate to have a very effective Press Office. The Church of Ireland’s Press Officer, Dr Paul Harron, can show the way to any Province in the Communion in how to go about helping the media cover Church affairs. Certainly, Dr Harron is always of great assistance to the Gazette.

The purpose of Church communication is not only to let people know what is going on and to convey insights on relevant topics, but it is also about helping build up the Body of Christ through showing the Church as it really is, and not simply as we would want to be seen. What really helps to build the Church up is not spin about ourselves, but the truth about ourselves.

Indeed, that is encapsulated in the Anglican Communion’s motto: “The truth shall set you free” (John 8: 32). The truth can, at times, be difficult to handle, but it is always liberating.

Home News

• Dublin Churches unite for ‘Camino’ Pilgrim Walk
• One-day conference on ‘weaving’ Celtic prayer
• Diocese of Glendalough institution
• C of I experience of deacon-interns shared in Edinburgh seminar
• Down and Dromore installations
• Verger celebrates 50 years in Enniskillen Cathedral
• Service for dementia sufferers
• Dr Fennelly appointed to The Teaching Council
• Day of reflection and meditation
• Correction
• Tribute Canon Dr Charles Leslie Maconachie

World News

• German theologian discusses challenges faced by Protestants
• Australian Bishops take traditional approach to sexuality
• Sudan/South Sudan concerns

Letters to the Editor

Easter General Vestry meetings

The Church’s year begins in late November or early December; the calendar year begins in January; the tax year begins in early April; financial years begin at various times, depending on the institution with which we are dealing; we celebrate the ‘birthday of the Church’ at Pentecost; most of our parish organisations begin their year in September – and the Easter General Vestry meeting of each Church of Ireland parish takes place, as its name implies, either shortly before or shortly after Easter.

However, I sometimes wonder whether this is the best time of the year for this particular meeting. It tends to mean that the Easter General Vestry meeting is followed by a couple of monthly meetings of the new Select Vestry which then – barring emergencies – having barely got into its stride, goes into abeyance for the summer, so that, by the time it next meets in September, nearly half the year has gone.
Now, it may be that any alternative arrangement would have its attendant mixture of pros and cons and that any change would involve vast upheaval in other respects. However, I cannot help wondering whether a different time of the year for this meeting might not bring some advantage with it. I wonder what, if anything, other Gazette readers might think about this.

John Budd (Canon), Derriaghy Rectory Lisburn Co. Antrim BT28

—

Proposed Royal visit to General Synod

Members who attended the 2008 General Synod in Galway will remember that the visit of President Mary McAleese was an historic and significant occasion for the whole Church of Ireland.
A lady of immense ability, she spoke with conviction and compassion and impacted on the hearts of the delegates present.

The visit of Her Majesty the Queen to the Republic last year was largely due to the trojan work done by President McAleese to improve relations between our two countries.

Following President McAleese’s visit and address to Synod, I raised the question at Standing Committee in 2008 about the possibility of a senior member of the Royal Family attending and addressing General Synod, which would be in keeping with the spirit of mutual respect between different traditions so rightly championed by the Church of Ireland, not least in the Hard Gospel process.
The Irish playwright, George Bernard Shaw, wrote: “Some men see things as they are and say why. I dream things that never were and say why not.”
The visit of the Queen to the Republic was a dream fulfilled – and more besides. When the Queen and President, two ladies of very different backgrounds, stood together in the Garden of Remembrance, they did so in a common cause to rebuild respect between their countries. Irish nationalism was in no way threatened by the presence of the Queen.

It was, if anything, the coming of age of a nation to welcome the Head of a neighbouring State. This was the start of a new journey, a visit at the invitation of a very courageous and visionary lady President, to help heal the hurts of centuries between England and Ireland.

I firmly believe a visit by a senior member of the Royal Family to General Synod could only be positive and continue the healing process. I recognise that considerable forward planning is necessary, but surely it is ‘do-able’.
The lead given by former President McAleese must be seized by the Church and now is the time to engage in positive discussions for such a visit to Armagh in 2013.
I trust the matter will be given serious consideration.
John F.A. Bond (The Very Revd) The Rectory Broughshane Co. Antrim

—

Border Trail invitation extended

I wish to advise your readers, and more particularly clergy and laity within the Church of Ireland, about a project with which I am associated and in which I would encourage participation.

The victims’ group, South East Fermanagh Foundation (SE FF), of which I am Director of Services, has developed a Border Trail of South Eastern Fermanagh.
It allows people to pay tribute to the memory of, and walk respectfully in the footsteps of, some of those who perished at the hands of terrorists during the Northern Ireland Troubles.
Across Co. Fermanagh, 112 people were killed. In South East Fermanagh, 11 of these people were killed at Lisnaskea, 14 at Rosslea, 13 in Newtownbutler, three in Maguiresbridge and one in Brookeborough. These atrocities and the fear of further attacks forced an exodus of Protestant farmers from the Border area.

The SE FF Border Trail seeks to give visitors a sense of the deep hurts inflicted on communities and to demonstrate the humility of those affected, explaining their resolve and heroism in surviving gross acts of injustice.

For further information,please contact me at the SE FF office, tel. 028 6772 3884, or mob. 07900 882770.
Kenny Donaldson Coa, Ballinamallard, Co. Fermanagh BT92 0FS

Features and Columns

• Focus on The Porvoo Communion
• Soap- Down at St. David’s
• Musings – Alison Rooke -Pacing oneself

News Extra

• Margaret Boden retires as Chief Executive of Christian Aid Ireland (Audio Interview Link)
• Sudden death of Mission to Seafarers’ head

Royal visit to St George’s, Belfast

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall are pictured arriving at St George’s church, Belfast. Looking on are the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Owen Paterson MP (centre), and the Revd Brian Stewart, rector of St George’s (right). (Photo: Harrison’s)

During their visit to Northern Ireland last week, the Prince of Wales and the duchess of Cornwall visited st George’s parish church in Belfast, on Thursday 27th April, some 21 years on from a visit to the same church by the Prince in very contrasting circumstances in 1991.

Then, Prince Charles had seen the toll taken on the building following 18 bombs during the troubles. Now, however, he and the Duchess saw the historic church handsomely restored.

The Prince and Duchess were met at St George’s by dame Mary Peters, Lord Lieutenant of Belfast; the First Minister, Peter Robinson MLA; the Secretary Of State for Northern Ireland, Owen Paterson MP; and Alderman Ruth Patterson, Deputy Lord Mayor of Belfast, as well as local politicians and dignitaries.

---

Editorial
FIGURES IN CHURCH HISTORY – 24
ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI (c.1181-1224)

Francis, whose original name was Giovanni, was born into the family of a wealthy cloth merchant of the town of Assisi and had, through his mother, links with nobility. His early life showed little sign of the saint he was to become. No one, it is said, loved pleasure more than Francis; he had a ready wit, sang merrily, delighted in fine and showy clothes and was a favourite with his peers.

Following a skirmish in which he was involved with a nearby region, he was imprisoned for a year. This, together with an illness, may have helped to turn his mind to more serious things, but a decisive turning point in his life came in 1208, when he heard a Gospel reading in church which told how the disciples of Christ were to renounce possessions and preach to sinners about the kingdom of God. He took this literally as addressed to himself and attracted companions who also believed that they must forsake everything and follow Christ. He drew up a simple Rule of life and had this approved, apparently verbally, by Pope Innocent III in Rome.

From 1211, his order was based in the little chapel of St Mary of the Angels, or the Porziuncola in Assisi, from which the members went out, two by two, preaching the Gospel. They gained an immense following and men of different grades of life and ways of thought flocked to join him. A significant development was the adherence of a young woman, Clare, who wished to follow his way of poverty and devotion to Christ and became established with her companions at St Damian’s, a church which Francis had restored with his own hands. To this day, the Second Order of Franciscans (for women) is known as the ‘Poor Clares’. He also founded a Third Order for those still living ‘in the world’. Francis had a burning desire to preach to the (Muslim) Saracens, but his efforts in this direction, which included a visit to Syria and to Palestine, were not very successful. However, his evangelistic tours in Italy itself aroused huge enthusiasm through his vernacular preaching and the winsomeness of his personality.

The rapid growth of his order required organization, a task to which he was not particularly well suited, and he turned this over to others, although he remained the driving spirit. A more elaborate Rule, drawn up by him, remains significant even for Franciscans today.

Francis’ devotional life found its peak in the bestowal of the stigmata – the signs of the crucifixion – physically on his hands and feet. His very positive attitude, not least to nature, found expression in his remarkable, Canticle of the Sun. He remains one of the most popular saints in the history of the Church.

This editorial is one in a series of occasional reflections on figures in Church history, following a chronological sequence as they appear.

---

Home News

• Rededication service at historic, Co. Armagh border church
• SEARCH issues articles on human sexuality
• Lunchtime lecture to focus on Doctor Who and violence
• Tributes paid to ‘colossus’ of General Synod
• Archbishop Harper in further NI welfare reform talks
• May ‘Archive of the Month’ features former RCB staff member
• Dean Griffin speaks out on Vatican censure moves
• Tribute The Revd Edward Thompson Dundas

Columns and Features

• World News Feature – Fellowship of Confessing Anglicans holds major gathering in London
• Archbishop Harper unconvinced by suggestion of elected Chair of Primates’ Meeting
• Focus on General Synod Preview – The four Honorary Secretaries of the General Synod outline the agenda of the forthcoming meeting of the Synod
• Soap – Down at St. David’s
• Rethinking Church – Stephen Neil – One step back, two steps forward
• Life Lines – Ron Elsdon -Is this the word of the Lord?

News Extra

• Standing Committee News
• Death

The Bishop of Argentina and former Primate of the Southern Cone, the Rt Revd Greg Venables, a leading theological conservative in global Anglicanism, told the Gazette last week that, should the General Synod adopt a liberal approach to the issue of same-sex relationships, those of a more conservative view should stand together but remain within the Church of Ireland, because their position was “the original Anglicanism – Prayer Book, Bible, original 39 Articles Anglicanism”.

An audio interview with Bishop Greg Venables by Gazette editor can be found here 

[The front page report on the 'First Things' Conference is continued in inside page of this issue of the Gazette.]

Editorial

THE NEXT CANTERBURY

While the appointment of the next Archbishop of Canterbury should not be driven by the current divisions over same-sex relationships, the ability at least to help those with deep differences over the issue to stay together across the Anglican Communion must be a factor. As far as leading the Church of England itself is concerned, the next Archbishop will have to pick up the pieces after the recent débâcle over the Anglican Covenant (Gazette report, 30th March) and will need to have the vision to forge a new direction, again, helping people to stay together. Both in the Church of England and in the Communion, many fences need to be mended. The Church – and not just in its Anglican expression – is a unity in diversity and the limits of that diversity have been truly tested among Anglicans and lessons are there to be learnt.

Apart from the Anglican Covenant, another major issue facing the Church of England is that of women bishops. That debate is drawing to its final stages, but the outcome is not yet sure because, when it comes to the English General Synod’s Final Approval stage on the matter, two-thirds majorities are required in each House (Bishops, Clergy and Laity). This ‘crunch’ is expected as soon as next July. Whether women bishops are accepted or not, there will be yet more fallout to be handled. These are, indeed, extremely difficult times for anybody to be Archbishop of Canterbury.

The recent trend to alternate more conservative and more liberal appointees would leave a conservative in the frame this time around. Indeed, for that reason, the appointment of a liberal Archbishop would surely alienate conservatives. An illustration of what can happen when one of the major traditions feels sidelined has happened recently in London’s Southwark Diocese, with evangelicals voicing considerable concern over a series of liberal Catholic appointments to senior positions. People can be pushed too far.

Yet, Church leadership requires certain qualities, irrespective of the surrounding circumstances or, indeed, of theological outlooks, however much either may dominate in people’s minds. Holiness, learning and courage of convictions are just three of those qualities. Holiness contains the idea of being ‘set apart’ for a purpose focused specifically on God and, indeed, it is God’s will for everyone; the Kingdom of God itself is the place of complete holiness and is the place into which God calls every person, away from the sin and death that we know in this world. An episcopal leader needs to convey to those being led a sense of that leader having been called apart, not in order to escape from difficult things but, rather, in order to be able to see the world in a proper perspective – the perspective of holiness – and, thereby, to speak both profitably and prophetically to it. Without proper perspective, foresight can be clouded and adequate analysis confounded. Moreover, personal holiness indicates a certain kind of life and character and it is of primary importance when it comes to giving leadership in the Church.

Learning is essential for Church leaders because they need to be able to expound the Scriptures and the Christian faith, as well as meeting the many challenges to faith that are always current, with real competence. The ability to communicate in a clear way, and yet with insights that have real depth and are challenging, is an asset in any Church leader. Episcopal leaders need to be able to connect with ordinary people and at the same time retain their confidence as leaders who possess both understanding and wisdom.

Courage of convictions is not always to the fore in a political world – and ecclesiastical, political manoeuvres are far from unknown in the upper echelons of the Church. In such an environment, people may seek to say the ‘right’ thing, giving rise to a certain culture of deference. Rather, the kind of courage of convictions that real leaders must display is about being willing to say precisely the ‘wrong’ thing. Indeed, that is what Jesus himself did – he said the ‘wrong’ things, went to the ‘wrong’ places and associated with the ‘wrong’ people. Christian leaders have to be prepared to get it ‘wrong’, for the sake of being right and of speaking the truth, however unwelcome it may be for some. This is not about pursuing one’s own agenda, but is about having prayed and having given wise consideration before speaking a true word.

Home News

• One-day conference on Church’s work in community peace building
• CITI ordinands moved to raise funds for Swaziland
• Changing Attitude Ireland launches welcome leaflet
• Parish raises €7,750 for homelessness charity
• Connor Diocese appoints Parish Development Officer
• Youth Update - Reaching out to young people in Derry and Raphoe
• New Derry and Raphoe Diocesan Youth Officer

World News

• Church in Wales declines to ‘subscribe’ the Anglican Covenant
• Turkish President and Dutch politician exchange sharp words about religion

Letters to the editor

Titanic Remembered

It was a pleasure reading about the way in which St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast, has chosen to commemorate the loss of life on the Titanic.

The funeral pall is not only a very solemn and fitting way to honour the dead, but it also appears to be a most beautiful vehicle to represent our feelings about the tragic event of one hundred years ago.

I, for one, am appalled by the manner in which this sombre event is being celebrated all over the world. Yes, there are some very good memorials, especially the new Titanic Quarter, but we all must remember exactly what we are trying to commemorate.

Congratulations to the Dean of Belfast, the Very Revd John Mann, the textile artists, Helen O’Hare and Wilma Kirkpatrick, the Friends of St Anne’s Cathedral and anyone else who played a part in this memorial.

Janet Walsh, Ranelagh, Dublin 6

—

Fiscal Treaty

In his interview with the Gazette (13th April issue), the Director of the Institute of International and European Affairs in Dublin, Tony Brown, is confident that the 31st May referendum on the Fiscal Treaty will be carried, despite the deep anger in Ireland today to which he refers. I am not. Indeed, when the implications are considered one may expect considerable opposition. Voting ‘no’ means no more EU loans. IMF loans, though, will still be available.

Voting ‘yes’ means reducing government borrowings and running a balanced annual budget.

Sounds good, but in a recession these mean more unemployment and higher taxes, along with lower benefits and fewer services.

These, in turn, mean a declining economy and so the need for more bailout loans from the EU . Under the Fiscal Treaty, the economic future of the Republic is a downward spiral.

To avoid this dismal future three things are necessary: (1) defeat the Fiscal Treaty, (2) leave the euro currency, and (3) arrange a controlled deferral of sovereign debt. Plain and clear.

Robert Irwin, Limerick

—

Anglican-Roman Catholic Dialogue

As a Catholic and an Ulsterman once removed, having lived all my life in the USA and been engaged in ecumenical dialogue with Anglicans (Episcopalians) and others since 1964, perhaps I might comment briefly on your editorial (23rd March) summary and evaluation of ARCIC I, II and the beginning of III.

The many Anglican Provinces have responded in diverse ways to the 10 or so ARCIC major agreed statements. The Church of Ireland has been particularly critical, especially on the teaching authority and Mariology statements.

I have always maintained that the “agreed” dimension of these agreed statements is to be identified more with the theologians of the Commission than with the Church Provinces themselves. The Catholic Episcopal Conferences and the Roman See have also given only a qualified approval, as on instances of convergence, to most of these statements.

In an Anglican editorial, we are understandably chided (para.4) for our position on Anglican Orders, ‘inter-communion’, the non-priestly ordination of women and the recent Ordinariate (which, incidentally, was not instituted to be “attractive” to some Anglicans, but to answer a desperate plea from a small number of Anglicans on several continents to live in full communion with the Holy See).

If your comment about having clear rules on fundamentals and then setting them aside at will refers to free-wheeling actions by individual Catholic clergy, this lamentable aberration deserves reprimand from their diocesan bishops.

If you want to face an even tighter barrier on Orders, women’s ordination and ‘intercommunion’, consult the canonical Orthodox Churches. This will be an eye-opener for those Anglicans who don’t live in community or in dialogue with the Orthodox.

I will not chide Anglicans or the Church of Ireland for their inner-doctrinal conflicts or for their impatience with Rome because I know that these positions, like our own, are matters of sincere conviction. Yet I do maintain, with Rowan Williams and with your editorial, that the way ahead is still one of prayer, affection, respect and rigorous dialogue.

Daniel S. Hamilton (Msgr)
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church
Lindenhurst
New York
USA

Features and Columns

• Focus on Dublin and Glendalough
• Soap – Down at St David’s
• Musings – Alison Rooke - Pampered pooches
• News Feature –  ‘First Things’ conference (continued from page 1)

News Extra

• Tributes paid to ‘pioneer of peacemaking’ –  The Revd Dr Ray Davey
• London demand for Anglican, Roman Catholic abuse inquiry
• Appointment
• Retirement
• Death

Titanic Service at Belfast Cathedral

Belfast Deputy Lord Mayor, Alderman Ruth Patterson, Dean John Mann and Titanic Chaplain, the Revd Karen Spence pictured following the Titanic Service at St Anne’s Cathedral. (Photo: A. McGrath)

A special service last Sunday (15th April) in Belfast Cathedral, on the anniversary of the loss of the Belfast-built Titanic, held in tension commemoration and celebration, remembrance and thanksgiving.

The service included elements of the original memorial service held in the Cathedral in 1912, the Sunday after the liner sank. A ‘Titanic Funeral Pall’ was dedicated (see earlier report, Gazette, 30th March).

In his address, the Dean of Belfast, the Very Revd John Mann, recalled how on that night 100 years ago the Titanic had “slipped into the icy waters of the north Atlantic, leaving more than 1,500 people dead and the dream of opulent travel in complete safety, or the excitement of the opportunity for a new start, or simply a prestigious maritime job, gone”.

Editorial

TITANIC REMEMBERED

The tragic loss of the Titanic one hundred years ago has been widely remembered, not least with the special service last Sunday at Belfast Cathedral (report, page 1). What was the largest and most opulent ship in the world at the time, making its maiden voyage from Southampton to New York, striking an iceberg approximately 375 miles south of Newfoundland, went down in under three hours. The vessel, which was built in Belfast and was considered unsinkable, sank. The horror for those on board is unimaginable. There were 713 survivors, but more than twice that number – 1,512 – lost their lives to the freezing ocean. Yet, despite the tragedy, the suffering and the loss, the Titanic has now given its name to a rejuvenated Belfast Quarter, a sign that loss can be remembered in a way that stirs the human spirit to new heights.

The tragedy has brought much reflection on different aspects of the events and on the lessons to be learnt. An especially salient, but very basic, point has been voiced by an expert on the subject, Greg Ward, writing last week in the News Letter: “All the talk of bravery and self-sacrifice obscured such simple facts as that if the ship had carried enough lifeboats and a fully trained crew, everyone would have been saved.” A statistical table also published by the newspaper revealed, disturbingly, how the class in which passengers were travelling had a direct bearing on the chances of them losing their lives: 38.2% of first class, 58.5% of second class and 74.9% of third class perished, alongside 76.2% of crew members.

The events in the North Atlantic on the terrible night of 14th-15th April, 1912 remind each and every one of us that, as the Prayer Book phrases it in unsurpassed fashion: “In the midst of life we are in death”. This is a world both of joy and tragedy, a world in which an unexpected encounter of two people can lead to their lifelong happiness in each other’s company, and a world in which a fatal accident can always happen, to any of us, at any time. While our human bodies can be of great strength, they remain mortal and, in that sense, frail no matter how strong. The Titanic disaster reminds us of many things, teaches us many things, but that is doubtlessly one of the fundamental truths with which we are left after all is said. It is a hard truth but, more happily, it surely turns our eyes to the eternal realms and to the very Saviour of the world.

Home News

• Futuristic Diocese of Glendalough school provides ‘wonderful, stimulating’ environment
• Diocese of Clogher dedication
• Mothers’ Union Ireland celebrates 125th anniversary
• Anglican speaks at Methodist event
• Parish visitors commissioned in Diocese of Armagh church
• Moderator calls Presbyterians to ‘Fit For Purpose’ Prayer
• Healing services anniversary
• Archbishop of Dublin speaks of ‘real passion’ behind Ulster Covenant

World News

• Refugee resettlement to the EU: European Churches call for 20,000 places by 2020
• German Roman Catholics and Protestants create online worship listings
• Easter Liturgy at nuclear weapons base
• Sudan Church leader says peace depends on lifestyle change
• Myanmar election results greeted with wary optimism

Columns and Features

• Focus on Religious Freedom

Freedom of Religion: Churches callfor more effective action by EU

Introductory remarks to the Dialogue Seminar by the Director of the Church and Society Commission of CEC, the Revd Rüdiger Noll (abbreviated text).

• Soap Down at St. David’s
• Rethinking Church – Stephen Neil –  Doing our Duty
• Life Lines – Ron Elsdon –  Let’s hear it for the oldsters!

Book Reviews

GOD’S RICH PATTERN: MEDITATIONS FOR WHEN OUR FAITH IS SHAKEN Author: Dr Lin Berwick Publisher: SPCK

SIMPLE WAYS towards the Sacred Author: Gunilla Norris Publisher: SPCK

News Extra

• Anglican Mainstream to ‘throw the book’ at London Mayor over bus posters
• Northern Ireland woman one of nominees to succeed Bishop Gene Robinson
• Appointments
• Retirement

EU must reconnect with its citizens, Irish Council of Churches told

Bishop Richard Clarke (left) hands over office as ICC President to Fr Godfrey O’Donnell of the Network of Orthodox Churches in Ireland. (Photo: M. McCullagh)

The Irish Council of Churches – part of the Churches in Ireland Connecting in Christ grouping – held its 2012 Annual Meeting on 29th March at Taney Parish Centre, Dublin.

An act of worship was led by the Revd Bernie Daly in the parish church. Taney National School Orchestra and Wesley College, Dublin, Senior Choir took part in the service, while pupils from Holy Cross National School and Taney National School had painted pictures on the theme ‘Working together for God’.

Editorial

BORDER PROTESTANTS

The Bishop of Clogher, responding to last week’s finding of a viable bomb outside the home of Ulster Unionist Councillor Harold Andrews at Rosslea, Co. Fermanagh, was surely right to stress not only the “monstrous” nature of such an action as planting the bomb but also the overwhelming desire of people right across the whole of Ireland to build “a new sort of society”.

The Church, indeed, stands against terrorism and for a future in this island that is truly shared. That term, ‘shared future’, cannot be allowed to become just another platitude. The future for all of us must be indisputably and categorically shared, so that the rancorous divisions that have been so much part of our past are firmly relegated to that past. A ‘shared future’ means a future in which all recognize the same fundamental values of common decency, respect and – as Lord Bew pointed out at the Church of Ireland’s recent commemorations conference – the principle of ‘consent’ as far as political and constitutional affairs were concerned (Gazette report, 6th April). These are all things that the Church appropriately underscores, not least because they lie at the heart of the peace process in the cause of which, as recent years have witnessed, so many have worked so tirelessly for so long.

The action of placing that viable bomb outside Councillor Andrews’ home sends one back to the 2008 report on the views and experiences of Border Protestants, Whatever you say, say nothing. It was compiled for the Church of Ireland Diocese of Clogher by David Gardiner and had been commissioned by the 2005-2008 Hard Gospel Project. One of the particularly striking findings in that report was the fact that most interviewees had seen republican violence in Border areas as having been intended to drive them out, a perception that the BBC reported Mr Andrews as expressing last week.

However, Mr Andrews also spoke, more hearteningly, of how well both communities in the area were now getting on. The would-be peace wreckers do need to be identified and brought to justice, for all our sakes and for the sake of future generations, and the spirit that Mr Andrews described as characterizing his local community today is the kind of spirit that the Church must always seek to encourage and support.

Home News

• USPG Ireland to share new Dublin office
• One-day conference to focus on essentials of evangelical faith
• Presbyterian Church ‘no’ to same-sex marriage
• Co. Antrim Churches team up for new Christianity course
• Memorial plaque dedicated to former Dean of Connor
• Inaugural meeting of Faith and Science Partnership
• Magazine competition closing date reminder
• Diocese of Down institution

World News  / Anglican

• Views sought on next Archbishop of Canterbury’s ministry
• Young Anglican women scholars meet in Canterbury
• Anglicans’ manifesto for environmental justice
• Indaba process leads to deeper understanding for local Anglicans
• Scottish Churches combat soaring metal theft
• Orthodox Patriarch hits at ‘unacceptable’ attacks on ecumenism
• Vatican praises Buddhism for the ‘wisdom’ it teaches its young

Columns and Features

• Focus on Mission and Ecumenism – Ecumenical mission gathering looks ahead to the 2013
  10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches
• Soap – Down At St David’s
• Musings – Alison Rooke – At Peace

Letters to the Editor

Same Sex relationships

The Revd Colin Hall-Thompson (Letters, 23rd March) tells us that the Scriptures are “very clear” in condemning gay relationships, but neither of the scriptural references he cites supports his claim.

Romans 1: 26, 27 appears to be a criticism of certain heterosexuals who engaged in homosexual activity, contrary to their heterosexual nature. It says nothing about people who are by nature homosexual.

The Harper Collins Study Bible comments on these verses: “Some think that Paul here condemns homosexual acts by heterosexual people (i.e. unnatural means ‘unnatural for them’) … it is questionable whether Paul thought of homosexuality as a condition or disposition.”

Genesis 1: 27ff says nothing about homosexuality. Mr Hall-Thompson’s claim is based on a logical fallacy, argumentum ad ignorantiam, argument by appeal to the unknown, based on assumptions about what was not said.

He quotes the injunction “Be fruitful and increase in number” (Genesis 1: 28) as if procreation were the sole purpose of marriage, but common sense tells us that it is not. Marriage Service One in the Book of Common Prayer gives three distinct reasons for matrimony: procreation, the avoidance of sin and “the mutual society, help, and comfort, that the one ought to have of the other”.

Procreation is not essential to Christian marriage and gay marriage is a development of Christian doctrine on marriage.

Paul Rowlandson, Londonderry, BT47

—

Clergy Pastoral visiting

For many generations, there has been in the Church of Ireland a close and valued relationship between her clergy and people. This relationship has been highly valued by both clergy and laity. It has been built up to no small degree by the practice on the part of the clergy of what I can only describe as routine pastoral visiting.

Observation and anecdotal evidence leads me to fear that this custom is in some respects no longer valued and implemented in some places, which I believe is a mistake and very sad.

Now I know well that parochial and extra-parochial duties and responsibilities take up a great deal of clerical time, but I am convinced, having served for 40 years in large, urban parishes, that it is still possible to devote much time to what has sometimes been derided as ‘door knocking’, but which I prefer to think of as the pastor caring for the souls of those committed to his or her care – sharing in their hopes and fears, getting to know them as persons, no matter what their depth of commitment to Christ and his Church and, as opportunity arises, sharing with them the insights of the Gospel and, when appropriate, praying with them.

Furthermore, the benefit is not one-sided. Again and again, the visitor leaves a home feeling spiritually blessed and uplifted and often grateful for the sheer depth of spiritually discovered in unexpected places.

Jesus had a great way of dealing with people, not only in large numbers but also with individuals. I submit that systematic visitation of his people in their homes by the clergy provides opportunity to carry on Jesus’ ministry of loving care.

It is a privilege that should not be lightly set aside.

Jack Mercer (Canon), Groomsport, Bangor, BT19

—-

Westminster Internet surveillance plan

I am astounded at the clamour from the liberal chattering classes over the Home Secretary’s eminently sensible proposals to force Internet Service Providers to afford police and security services untrammelled access to customers’ email and web browsing records.

Access of this sort is invaluable in combating crimes and moral turpitude, such as tax avoidance, immorality and conspiracy to frighten the horses.

Ever eager to assist, I have resolved to forestall any legislation by forwarding copies of all my email direct to Mrs May at mayt@parliament.uk and would urge your readers who have nothing to hide to do the same.

John Eoin Douglas
Edinburgh
EH7

Book Reviews

• BEING A CHAPLAIN Authors: Miranda Threlfall-Holmes and Mark Newitt. Publisher: SPCK
• SEEING THE GOOD IN UNFAMILIAR SPIRITUALITIES Author: Gethin Abraham-Williams Publisher: Circle Books Price: £9.99

News Extra

• Ian Paisley Jr, MP tells Gazette ‘no mood’ in Commons for change of UK law on assisted suicide
• Call for zero-rate VAT on listed churches’ alterations
• Anglican Covenant supporters express regret over its rejection in C. of E.

St Patrick’s above all a ‘house of prayer’ – Dean Stacey at Installation

Preaching at his Installation last Saturday as Dean of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, the Very Revd Victor Stacey,
taking words from I Kings 3:7 as the text of his sermon
(“I am but a little child”), compared himself in his new role to “that ‘little child’ making first, slow, tentative steps”, but nonetheless stressed that over and above all the different aspects of the Cathedral’s life, “this is a house of prayer, where daily offices are said, the Eucharist is celebrated, a place where people come to encounter God, however he may reveal himself to them”.

Editorial

The Good Friday – Easter Triduum

Tridum means ‘three days’ and is an ancient name for the three days that conclude on Easter Sunday. The name has been revived in recent years. St Ambrose, in the fourth century, called it the ‘sacred triduum’ in which Christ “suffered and rested and rose”. St Augustine referred to “the most holy triduum of the crucified, buried and risen Lord”. It is also known as the ‘paschal triduum’ or the ‘Easter triduum’.
     Whatever term is used, it helps us to see this period as a unity, usually now considered as beginning on Maundy Thursday with the Last Supper, continuing with the remembrance of the death of Christ on Good Friday and his time in the tomb (Holy Saturday) and reaching its climax in a vigil service on Easter Eve and the celebration of the resurrection on Easter Day, either at a dawn service or later.
     Although the emphasis shifts from anticipation of the death of Christ, through remembrance of it to his rising from the dead, it all relates to the theme of dying and rising which is central to Christian faith in the one “who was put to death for our trespasses and raised for our justification” (Romans 4: 25).
     The Easter celebration probably has its roots in observance of the sunday nearest to the Jewish Passover as a festival of the death and resurrection, preceded by a two-day fast. By the end of the second century, the concept of the ‘three days’ was becoming established and was firmly established in many places by the end of the fourth. it received fresh emphasis from the practice of the Church in Jerusalem, where the people in their liturgy actually visited the various holy places and relived each event of the Gospel at the time and on the spot where it occurred. These practices were recorded for posterity by a lady called Egeria, who went on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem between 381 and 384 and who wrote to her friends explaining the ceremonies.
     For present-day Christians, it is possible to enter into such an experience imaginatively through the forms of worship of their own parish churches, and best where the triduum is fully observed. These three days are the climax of the Church’s worship and witness to Christ crucified and risen.
     However we observe these sacred days, Good Friday and Easter together are a time for remembering and celebrating the good news that death has indeed been “swallowed up in victory” (I Corinthians 15: 54).

 
Home News

• Archbishop Jackson pays visit to ‘confident and generous’ Hong Kong Church
• Church’s Ministry of Healing appoints new RoI coordinator
• Glenstal Ecumenical Conference to examine progress in Eucharistic sharing
• Co. Down church school converted into new hall
• Staff of Church House, Belfast, in fundraising leap of faith
• Tribute: Canon Reginald (Reggie) Joseph Chisholm

World News

• Report says Church giving in US is on the rebound
• American Episcopalians do not favour the Anglican Covenant
• Ugandan faith leaders critique Internet video on Kony

Columns & Features

• Focus on Church of Ireland Conference – Gazette editor, Canon Ian Ellis, reports on a Church of Ireland conference exploring the context and legacy of the 1912 Ulster Covenant
• Soap – Down at St David’s
• Rethinking Church – Stephen Neil – Bird’s Eye View of Church
• Life Lines – Ron Elsdon – A Matter of Opinion

Book Reviews 

MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER: HOMOSEXUALITY AND THE CHURCH OF IRELAND Editors: Ginnie Kennerley
and Richard O’Leary Publisher: Changing Attitude Ireland

ASIAN THEOLOGY ON THE WAY: CHRISTIANITY, CULTURE AND CONTEXT Authors: Peniel Jesudason and Rufus Rajkumar ed. Publisher: SPCK

LECTIO DIVINA - THE SACRED ART Author: Christine Valters Painter Publisher: SPCK

News Extra

• Government and C. of I TD respond to Bishops’ statement on education cuts in the Republic
• Church of Ireland census figures up again in the Republic

Anglican Covenant derailed in the Church of England

Moderator of the No Anglican Covenant Coalition, the Revd Dr Lesley Crawley

 

Last Saturday (24th March), the proposed Anglican Covenant failed to gain the support of a majority of Church of England diocesan synods and therefore will not return to that Church’s General Synod for final approval.

The Covenant was intended to provide a way in which contentious issues could be addressed in the Anglican Communion, but with the Church of England itself unable to commit to it, the document appears to have no future.

Anglican-Roman Catholic relationship is  ‘certain yet imperfect’ – Archbishop Williams

Pope Benedict XVI and Archbishop Rowan Williams in the chapel of St Gregory, Rome. (Photo: Matthew Davies)

Earlier this month the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Revd Rowan Williams, who last week announced that he will be stepping down as Archbishop at the end of this year to become Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge, visited Pope Benedict XVI in Rome.

Archbishop Williams and the Pope prayed together during an ecumenical vespers service at Rome’s church of San Gregorio Magna al celio. They lit candles together in the chapel of St Gregory.

The 10th March service looked back to pre- Reformation times, marking the 1,000th anniversary of the founding of Italy’s Camaldoli monastic community.

The church of San Gregorio is built on the site from which St Gregory the Great, in the 6th century, sent St Augustine, the first Archbishop of Canterbury, along with 30 monks to England. they landed in 597 and are credited with laying the foundations for the renewal of English Christianity.

---

EDITORIAL

ARCHBISHOP WILLIAMS STEPS DOWN

Letters to the Editor

Clergy and Bishops going wrong?

Slieve Russell conference showed Church of Ireland’s ‘instinct for unity’, says Archbishop of Armagh

Archbishop Alan Harper addresses the Slieve Russell conference. (Photo: Paul Harron)

Speaking at a press conference following last weekend’s much anticipated Bishops’ conference on ‘Human Sexuality In The Context of Christian Belief ’, the Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Revd Alan Harper, said that the gathering had been a unique style of event in the Anglican communion and had illustrated the Church of Ireland’s “instinct for unity”.The conference, which had been arranged by the Bishops specifically for members of the General Synod, ran from Friday 9th – Saturday 10th March at the Slieve Russell Hotel, Ballyconnell, Co. Cavan and had 450 participants.

Held under the ‘Chatham House Rule’, participants were told they could discuss the proceedings with those who had not been present, but that, to encourage openness in the discussions, who said what should not be disclosed.

The conference proceeded in an atmosphere of mutual respect and in a relaxed way, including round-table discussions, Bible study, a storytelling session where individuals shared their personal experiences, and a range of seminars, all interspersed with worship. two gay men, with contrasting approaches to their sexuality, addressed the conference.

The seminars examined scientific perspectives on the subject, parental perspectives, handling conflict in the Church, the issue of gay clergy, legal aspects, pastoral responses to gay people in the Church, and the theological/hermeneutical (interpretative) aspect of the issue.

The conference had been announced last autumn, in response to controversy that arose, and has continued, following the Dean of Leighlin, the Very Revd Tom Gordon’s entering into a same-sex civil partnership.

The Slieve Russell conference was purely deliberative; there was no plenary debating nor were votes taken. Rather, the conference was seen as informing and engaging General Synod members on the wide dimensions of the issue.

Asked how the Church would proceed after the Slieve Russell Conference, Archbishop Harper said the process would be considered at the forthcoming standing committee meeting (to be held shortly after we went to press). The Archbishop could not indicate last weekend whether or not the standing committee would bring a motion to the General Synod, but said he believed there would be a motion at the General Synod “one way or another”. Motions can be brought by private members.

Archbishop Harper also stated that the Church was not rigidly divided on the subject on a north/south basis. “There is more diversity within the two jurisdictions than is thought,” he said.

The Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Michael Jackson, also speaking to the press, said the event at the Slieve Russell Hotel had been “a breaking of fresh ground on the issue” and described the conference as having been “tremendously useful”.

Archbishop Jackson said the conference had given “people of conviction” the opportunity of sharing their views.

At a press briefing before the conference commenced, Archbishop Harper reacted to public criticism from the chair of Changing Attitude Ireland (CAI), Canon Ginnie Kennerley, that there had been a “failure to invite representatives of the church of Ireland’s LGBT [Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transsexual] community to attend the conference as observers and informal conversation partners for the delegates”. He pointed out that CAI had been invited to identify a speaker and that CAI had in fact chosen Canon Kennerley.

It was further indicated by Canon Kennerley that CAI had requested four ‘visitor’ passes, but had been turned down. However, in response it was pointed out that other groups had made a similar request and that the Church could not allow some in and not others.

The Bishop of Tuam, the Rt Revd Patrick Rooke, and the Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, the Rt Revd Ken Good, were the principal organisers of the conference, along with the Bishop of Limerick and Killaloe, the Rt Revd Trevor Williams, who coordinated the communications approach.

The General Synod office was also closely involved in the running of the conference. While participants paid for their own travel and accommodation, the remainder of the cost was met by the Church.

Summaries of the presentations to the conference seminars have been published at the Church of Ireland’s official website, http://ireland.anglican.org/news/3988.

---

Editorial

SLIEVE RUSSELL CONFERENCE

Home News

Columns & Features

News Extra