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Church was self-centred and arrogant, claims Archbishop Martin

ARCHBISHOP of Dublin Diarmuid Martin has denounced the Catholic Church for growing self-centred and arrogant before state-appointed commissions revealed the shocking scale of paedophile clergy. 

- Report by  John Cooney Religion Correspondent in “The Irish Idependent”, Monday December 13 2010. 

Dr Martin made his remarks during Mass at the Church of the Assumption in Ballyfermot, the former parish of ex-priest Tony Walsh who was jailed last week for sexually abusing three boys.

In the parish where he grew up, Dr Martin, who ranks in the Irish hierarchy as number two after Cardinal Sean Brady, described the cover-up of paedophile priests as a symptom of a deeper malaise in the church.

He said he came to Ballyfermot yesterday to renew his apologies for the church's hushing up of Walsh's horrendous catalogue of abuse during the 1970s and 1980s.

"I apologise unreservedly," he said. "As I look back, I see more clearly that the catastrophic manner in which the abuse was dealt with was a symptom of a deeper malaise within the Irish church.

"The church had drifted into a position where its role in society had grown beyond what is legitimate", he said.

"It acted as a world apart," he told Mass-goers.

"It had often become self-centred and arrogant. It felt that it could be forgiving of abusers in a simplistic manner and rarely empathised with the hurt of children."

Dr Martin said the church had to honestly acknowledge "with no buts and no conditionality" the gravity and the extent of what happened as it takes a first step on the road to renewal.

Defrocked

Walsh (57), who was named in last year's Murphy Report on clerical child abuse in the Dublin diocese, was sentenced last Monday to 16 years in jail, with four suspended, for abusing three boys.

The now defrocked priest, known as Fr Filth and also as the Singing Priest for his Elvis impersonations at talent shows, was previously jailed for sexually abusing six other boys.

Dr Martin's comments came a day after the Wikileaks revelations about behind-the-scenes contacts between the Vatican and the Irish Government in the wake of the Murphy Report's publication last November.

The Bethlehem Village Experience at Balmoral

Walk the streets of Bethlehem village, meet the villagers for yourself, hear the sounds and savour the smells of those remarkable times at The Bethlehem Village Experience in the Livestock Hall at Balmoral Showgrounds on Friday 17th and Saturday 18th December.

The village of Bethlehem was a not a particularly pleasant place. Already under Roman occupation, the streets are thronged with more visitors than the small village can handle. The puppet ruler has flooded the streets with spies seeking out a threat to his authority. And in the midst of the chaos, rumour has it that a radical king has been born and is lying in an animal stable.

Dates & Times

• Friday 17th - 7-9pm

• Saturday 18th - 10am-9pm

Further information: admin@christchurchbelfast.org

Christ Church Belfast states it is non denominational.

www.christchurchbelfast.org

Archbishop’s view of Irish Church

In an interview earlier this month with “The Irish Times”, Archbishop John Neill of Dublin said, “I think that institutional religion as a whole is going to take quite a knocking in Ireland.’ He said hefelt his generation “failed . . . in passing on love of the institution’’.

He did not, however, think they failed in passing on faith itself.

“There’s a lot there that is not expressed institutionally. I think a new form of church may easily emerge but I cannot discern what that will be. It is one of the reasons – not in a sense of despair – why I feel I should retire at this stage. Fresh leadership is needed in the Republic, to discern what is happening,” he said. His successor will be elected on February 2nd. The Church of Ireland has enjoyed sustained growth in recent years. This he attributes to the “very pro-active” approach of parishes. “The immigrant population has definitely made an impression,” he said. On top of which “a lot of people have been searching, a lot of people adrift, the Church of Ireland has become a home for many of them”. Quite a number were from a Catholic background.

There has also been strong growth in numbers training for ministry in Ireland with the church beginning to enter a period where “over-supply” of priests was becoming an issue. He felt the Church of Ireland had an advantage in that they allow women priests and clergy marry.

The clerical child sex abuse scandals in the Catholic Church had injured the Church of Ireland too. But, he emphasised, “we have been very careful not to capitalise on this. It has happened to Anglican churches in other parts of the world where they had to take on the role of the state.”

He agreed the scandals had “injured the brand” particularly where young clergy were concerned. They “feel very vulnerable. Many of them don’t wear clerical collars because of the abuse they have received on the streets”. Where State funding for Protestant schools in the Republic was concerned, he said relations with the Department of Education were now “much better” and that progress was being made.

On relations between the Catholic Church and the Church of Ireland in Dublin he said “I don’t think they’ve ever been better”. His counterpart, the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin, was “a breath of fresh air to the scene. He came with a very strong ecumenical agenda [on becoming Archbishop in May 2004].

“He brought the Catholic archdiocese straight into the Dublin Council of Churches, to which all other churches were already affiliated. At each level he has worked with us,” he said.

But, if ecumenical relations in Dublin are good, the same cannot be said of other levels. The announcement by the Vatican, that it was setting up a separate personal prelature for Anglican clergy, including bishops, who were unhappy over how their communion was dealing with the ordination of women and gay priests “was not expected”.

It was seen “in many Anglicans quarters as an unfriendly thing to do”. Similarly, the continuing reference by the Pope to Protestant churches as ecclesial communities has “hurt a lot”.

Singing the Faith, telling the story

A website is offering a new insight into the story behind the new Methodist hymn collection, Singing the Faith. 

Anyone can also now take advantage of the pre-publication discounts on Singing the Faith. These include a saving of £5 on the full music edition of the collection, £2.50 on the words edition and £5 on the electronic words edition. Discounts are available when people order Singing the Faith from Methodist Publishing – www.methodistpublishing.org.uk, 01733 235962. 

Visitors to www.singingthefaith.org.uk, can read about the journey from the initial proposal for a new collection through to the work now being done to launch the final Singing the Faith collection in 2011. This section of the website will expand as the story continues to grow, and people will soon be able to read about the many talents that have gone into the making of this definitive collection. 

Revd Barbara Bircumshaw, Chair of the Music Resources Group, said: “This whole process has been a real labour of love, involving many people who have given freely of their time and talents. It’s been a long road, but we’re really excited about Singing the Faith and are pleased to be able to share our story.” 

Visitors to www.singingthefaith.org.uk, can also take a peek inside the collection at the full list of hymns and songs, check out the online Users Guide and read John Wesley’s Rules for Singing. 

People can also pre-order the free Singing the Faith sampler, which will be published in January 2011.

Revival 2011 renewal events

Revival 2011 is an initiative to mobilise the church across denominations "for the single purpose of seeing God's revival and blessing come to this nation." 

The guest speaker at a series of events is RT Kendall with worship led by Robin Mark.On Friday 11th February an interdenominational Students' Conference will be held at Union Theological College when the speaker will again be RT Kendall. It is an opportunity for students currently training in ministry and mission for home and overseas service to attend an event focused on revival and God’s calling.

Bookings will be organized through the different theological colleges

The Reverend Andrew Forster is a member of the clerical panel of reference for the events which are being organised by Lowe Memorial Presbyterian Church.

http://www.revivalscoming.org/

http://loweonline.org/revival

Reflect - Youth Leaders Weekend 2011

Reflect brings a great combination of a fun fuelled/faith driven weekend - for youth leaders, especially as they seek out means and ways of being support to young people, who have a desire to explore their faith, grow their faith and serve in faith.
Where: Whitepark Youth Hostel on the North Coast
When: Fri 7-9 January 2011
What? DISCIPLESHIP

Stephen Patterson (YFC NI) is the facillitator– for leaders to learn, discuss, reflect how  they disciple young people.

As a community of leaders there will be time to REFLECT on faith, and on the personal journey with Christ.

Peter Huey & co will facilitate the corporate worship.

For more info see www.ciyd.org
Cost: £40 (per person – full board

E3 Schools Worker for East Belfast

The E3 project is looking for a person to serve the local schools by involvement in lessons, assemblies, SU groups; working alongside pupils and teachers and equipping local churches to engage more effectively in their schools.

Applicants should be in sympathy with the ethos of Scripture Union.

Contact Jonathan Parkes for the job description and application form.

Closing date for receipt of all applications is 6 January 2011 at 5.00 pm.

Scripture Union, 157 Albertbridge Road, Belfast, BT5 4PS,
Tel: 028 9045 4806
Fax: 028 9073 9758

Email: info@suni.co.uk

The E3 Project

http://www.suni.co.uk/schools/e3.php

Part-time Youth Worker Post - Belfast

The First Step Centre wishes to appoint a part time youth worker to join their youth team and lead the young women's group.

The successful candidate will have an exciting role running youth work programmes in the First Step Centre. Working directly with young people the post will be both challenging and rewarding. The post is for 10 hours per week and requires the applicant to work during evenings and weekends.

The First Step Centre has been open as a youth centre for 17 years
working with young people from a range of backgrounds coming from one
of  the most deprived  areas in Northern Ireland. The First Step Centre is located at 116 York Road, Belfast. BT15 3HF and is an project of Jennymount Methodist Church

Application packs are available via www.communityni (http://www.communityni.org/job/community-youth-worker-young-women-0).

Please e-mail Jonny Lamberton: jonny@firststepcentre.com or call 028 9074 4040 ext 3 if you have any questions.

Closing Date Wednesday 15th December at 12:00.

Interviews Friday17th December.

Post funded by the Methodist Church in Ireland.

Mission team opportunities for young people

Down and Dromore diocese is offering three short term mission opportunities for young people this summer 2011 in Albany, Argentina and Uganda.

Albany Team with DDYC

Dates: Friday 8th - Tuesday 26th July 2011.

Who for: Applicants aged 16-25 keen to gain experience in leadership with children and young people.
Cost: £750, which includes all travel, food, accommodation, insurance and 2 days sight-seeing in New York.    
Doing: Working in a Children's camp with 8-13 year olds.
Team: It is intended to take a team of around 10 people.

Apply: Forms available from andrew@downanddromore.org with a closing date of 28th Jan 2011.

Northern Argentina Team with SAMS

Dates: Approximately 8th -21st August 2011. Dates will be confirmed in January.

Who for: Over 18’s. Some knowledge of Spanish would be an advantage
Cost: £1650 which may be reduced depending on travel costs
Doing: Visiting churches and indigenous communities, faith sharing, children’s work and some practical projects.
Team: It is intended to take a team of around 8 people.

Apply: Forms available from andrew@downanddromore.org with a closing date of 28th Jan 2011.
  

Uganda Team with Waakisa Ministries

Dates: Mid to late August 2011

Who for: Over 18’s willing to meet Ugandans, do some basic teaching (particularly to young people) and share their faith
Cost: Approx. £1200
Doing: Health Education - travelling to rural villages to resource and teach on threats faced through AIDS, malaria and so on.  Sharing faith stories.
Team Size: Around 8 people

Apply: Forms available from Sharon Hamil shababes@gmail.com

Anglican Communion news in brief

USA: Posting the President on peace

Dominica: Church concern for climate change

Korea: Churches seek international support for peace initiatives

Scotland: Woman to be Director of Ordinands

England: “Lloyd's List” supports  Mission to Seafarers

USA: Posting the President on peace

Churches for Middle East Peace is urging Christians throughout the United States to send Christmas cards to President Barack Obama to highlight their prayers for his efforts towards ending the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.The initiative launches a year-long national interfaith campaign, For the Peace of Jerusalem, to engage Christians nationwide in public advocacy for Israeli-Palestinian peace. It is organised by CMEP, a coalition of 24 national denominations and church organisations, including the Episcopal Church.

Dominica: Church concern for climate change

It is estimated that by 2050, 80 percent of the rivers in the Dominican Republic will have dried up unless something is done to stop deforestation and develop a strategy to slow climate change, said Silvio Minier of Oxfam.

Minier, a former Jesuit priest who now works in advocacy and programs for Oxfam based in Santo Domingo, addressed the Episcopal Climate Justice Gathering Dec. 8, giving an overview of the local effects of climate change

.

More than 30 people -- mostly Anglicans and Episcopalians and a few ecumenical seminarians -- from Cuba, the United States, Ecuador, Panama, Colombia, Haiti, Mexico, Brazil, Guatemala and the Dominican Republic met Dec. 7-10 at the Bishop Kellogg Center to explore intersection between poverty and climate change, and perhaps frame the conversation in terms of "climate justice." The meeting was convened by Bishop Marc Andrus of the Episcopal Diocese of California, and Bishop Naudal Gomes, Diocese of Curitiba, Brazil.

Korea: Churches seek international support for peace initiatives

The Archbishop of Korea has thanked USPG for galvanising international support and solidarity as military tensions rise in the Korean peninsula.His message was delivered following a month in which four died when North Korea shelled a South Korean island – with the USA now planning a military drill that North Korea says could provoke war.

Archbishop the Most Revd Paul Kim Geun-Sang’s wrote to USPG: ‘Thank you very much for keeping us in your prayers and thoughts. It is really wonderful to know we have friends, good friends, abroad to keep us strong and faithful, especially at times like this.’

USPG Director the Revd Canon Edgar Ruddock said: ‘The Anglican Church in Korea can feel quite isolated so international support is particularly welcome.’ Canon Ruddock represented USPG in Seoul this month at a conference organised by the Anglican group Towards Peace in Korea (TOPIK).

Scotland: Woman to be Director of Ordinands

The College of Bishops of the Scottish Episcopal Church has appointed the Rev Canon Dr Alison Peden as the Provincial Director of Ordinands, taking over from the Very Rev Kevin Pearson who is now Bishop–elect of Argyll & The Isles.  Dr Peden is Rector of Holy Trinity Church, Stirling and Canon of St Ninian’s Cathedral, Perth and will take up the role of Provincial Director of Ordinands in January 2011.

In announcing the new appointment The Most Rev David Chillingworth, Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld & Dunblane and Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church said “I am delighted that Alison Peden has accepted the invitation of the College of Bishops to serve as the new Provincial Director of Ordinands in succession to Bishop-elect Kevin Pearson.  The provincial and diocesan networks which Kevin has built up provide processes of vocational discernment which are both ordered and spiritually insightful.  Alison brings to this role a passion for vocation and ministry.  She has been involved in our processes of training for ministry at provincial and diocesan levels and has been developing programmes of Ministry and Education Development in the Diocese of St Andrews.  Alison carries her great resources of scholarship and spirituality with grace and a lightness of touch.  I believe that she will help us to foster the next generation of clergy who will provide leadership for our Church.”

England: “Lloyd's List” supports The Mission to Seafarers

The newspaper, which is one of the world's oldest publications, has supported the Mission for many years and recognises the charity as "one of the industry's most important charities, and a vital support network for seafarers around the world."

Deputy Editor Richard Meade and events manager Anke Muller presented the Revd Tom Heffer with a cheque for £5,763.80 following its recently Lloyd's List Global Awards Dinner at which the Mission was the chosen charity.

"I'm absolutely delighted to receive this cheque," said the Revd Tom Heffer. "We have had a long association with Lloyd's List over the year and this money will help us to continue providing services to seafarers in 230 ports around the world."

UK in-work child poverty highest on record

A new report published by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation shows the number of children living in poverty in working households in the UK has increased to 2.1 million – the highest on record.

The thirteenth Monitoring Poverty and Social Exclusion report, written by a team from the New Policy Institute (NPI), is the first to be published under the new government. It looks at the long-term trends, as well as more recent changes from the recession, and highlights the challenges faced.

The report, published on 6 December 2010, shows that, despite the recession, overall the number of children living in poverty fell to 3.7 million, with the number in workless households falling to 1.6 million, the lowest since 1984. But those in working families rose slightly to 2.1 million, and they now account for 58 per cent of the total.

Co-author of the report, Tom MacInnes, said: "The fall in child poverty among those in out-of-work households came about despite an estimated rise of 60,000 in the number of children living in workless households over the year. So, we can almost certainly say that it is related to the rise in both Child Benefit and Child Tax Credit in 2008. Without the substantial increases in these benefits, the numbers of children in poverty would be around half a million higher."

He added: "With more than half of all children in poverty belonging to working families, it is simply not possible to base anti-poverty policies on the idea that work alone is a route out of poverty. Child poverty in working households must be given the same focus as out-of-work poverty. Until this happens, debates about poverty will continue to be misleading".

Leaks: Ireland irked Vatican on sovereignty

Newly released U.S. diplomatic cables indicate that the Vatican felt "offended" that Ireland failed to respect Holy See "sovereignty" by asking high-ranking churchmen to answer questions from an Irish government commission probing decades of sex abuse of minors by clergy.

That the Holy See used its diplomatic immunity status as a tiny-city state to try to thwart Ireland's government-led probe has long been known. But the WikiLeaks cables, published by Britain's The Guardian newspaper on Saturday, contain delicate, behind-the-scenes diplomatic assessments of the highly charged situation.

According to the deputy to the Irish ambassador to the Holy See, the Irish government gave in to Vatican pressure and allowed the church officials to avoid answering questions from the inquiry panel, according to one of the cables from a U.S. diplomat.

Ambassador Noel Fahey apparently told U.S. diplomat Julieta Valls Noyes that the sex abuse scandal was a tricky one to manage.

The Irish government wanted to be seen as cooperating with the investigation because its own education department was implicated in decades of abuse, but politicians were reluctant to insist Vatican officials answer the investigators' questions, the cables indicate.

One cable discloses the behind-the-scenes diplomatic moves by which Irish politicians tried to persuade the Vatican to cooperate with the probe.

See also - The Guardian

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/233831

The week ahead in the C of I - Dec 12 - 19

Sun12 

St Patrick's, Dublin

The combined choirs of Saint Patrick’s & Christ Church cathedrals will sing evensong at St Patrick's cathedral at 3.15pm, where the anthem will be Handel, Messiah (part one) with orchestra.

www.stpatrickscathedral.ie

Christ Church Cathedral - Dublin

A special Taizé service will take place in the cathedral crypt and main nave at 5.00pm. Organised by the Diocesan Ministry of Healing and the Diocesan Lay Ministry. The beautiful chants of Taizé will accompany the liturgy which will be a Eucharist with the laying on of hands. http://cccdub.ie/index.php?/special-services/

Drumcondra Parish Church - Dublin

Concert - Christmas Carols by the Fingal Chamber Choir in aid of the Jack & Jill Foundation, 4pm

St Doulagh - Balgriffin

Service of Carols by Candlelight, 4pm

St Patrick’s - Dalkey

Dexter Family Ensemble 7pm

Enniscorthy - St Aidan’s

Enniscorthy 1500 Christmas Ecumenical Songs of Praise. 7 p.m.

Clogher Cathedral - Carol service

Diocesan service of Nine Lessons and Carols. 7.30pm

The service will be led by the Rt Revd Dr Michael Jackson, Bishop of Clogher, and the Very Revd Kenneth Hall, Dean of Clogher and Rector of Enniskillen. Taking part in the service will be a number of readers, choirs, soloists and instrumentalists from across the diocese. The organist will be Glenn Moore, and proceeds from the collection will go towards supporting the work of Kindfund and the Holy Land Medical Relief Fund.

Mon 13 

CMSI monthly prayer gathering - Belfast

For the people and the work of CMS Ireland, their global partners and their regions. CMS Ireland Offices, Belfast at 7.30pm

Tues 14

Christ Church Cathedral - Dublin

Charity Carol Service. In aid of Huntington’s disease.The Cathedral Girls’  Choir. 1.15pm

Belfast Cathedral

Grosvenor Grammar School Carol Service,7.30 pm

Mindset - Dundonald

Mindset is for all involved in teaching the good news of the Gospel to young people, whether paid or volunteer, young or not so young, and is non-denominational. Speaker: Rev Richard McIlhatton (Christ Church Presbyterian) Monthly meetings are held in St Elizabeth's Church Halls (Church Green, Dundonald). 7.30 pm.

Christ Church Cathedral - Dublin

Concert - New Dublin Voices 8.00 pm

More information is available from www.newdublinvoices.com.

Wed 15

Belfast Cathedral

PricewaterhouseCoopers’ Carol Service,7.00 pm

Christ Church Cathedral - Dublin

Cathedral Choir Christmas Concert, 8.00pm.

Join the choirs for Christ Church Cathedral for carols and festive fun.Tickets: €18 (full price); €14 (concessions) available from: www.tickets.ie:

http://www.tickets.ie/Listing.aspx/Venue?id=277&ViewType=Info

and City Discs, Temple Bar Lane South, Dublin 2. 

Thurs 16

Sitouts for Charities - Belfast & Dublin 

Commence at Belfast Cathedral and St Ann’s Dublin

Belfast Cathedral

Hazelwood Integrated Secondary and Primary Schools Carol Service 

Armagh Community Carol Service

Armagh City & District Council, Market Square. 6.30pm 

Fri 17

Belfast Cathedral

Prayers for RIR in Afghanistan,11.00 am

Christ Church Cathedral - Dublin

Irish Baroque Orchestra Messiah 7.30pm

The Irish Baroque Orchestra welcomes special guests Resurgam chamber choir for a performance of one of the most popular choral works ever written, Handel’s Messiah. Tickets €35/€25 / €20 (concessions) available from: www.irishbaroqueorchestra.com/boxoffice/index.php?event_id=38

Hillsborough Parish Church

The Priory Singers, O Magnum Mysterium, 8 pm.

Music by Lauridsen, Whitacre, Darke, Carter and Ledger.

Conducted by Robert Thompson. £10/£8

Mulled wine and mince pies. 

www.thepriorysingersbelfast.com

Sat 18 

Christ Church Cathedral - Dublin

Christmas Market - Santa in the Crypt 10.00 a.m www.cccdub.ie

Comber Parish Church

The Priory Singers, O Magnum Mysterium, 8 pm.

Music by Lauridsen, Whitacre, Darke, Carter and Ledger.

Conducted by Robert Thompson. £10/£8

Mulled wine and mince pies.  

www.thepriorysingersbelfast.com

Sun 19 

Belfast Cathedral 

Carols for the City, 3.30 pm

Christ Church Cathedral - Dublin 

Service of Five Lesson and Carols, 3.30 pm

C of I News briefs

RTE Broadcast

RTE Radio 1 will broadcast Morning Worship with USPG Ireland and the Choir of Wilson's Hospital School, Multyfarnham.

First female Choral Scholar at St Patrick’s

Judith Lyons, a past pupil of the Cathedral Grammar school and founding member of the Girls Cathedral Choir has been appointed the first female Choral Scholar at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin. This award is well deserved after many years of dedicated service. Along with the other members of the Girls Choir she will took part in a concert in TCD on 22nd and 23rd November with Dublin University Choral Society.

St Patrick’s Organ scholar

Harry Meehan is a Form V student in St Patrick’s Cathedral Grammar School, Dublin, with a remarkable musical talent. He played the organ in the Cathedral at the school May Concert this year. Currently Harry is studying under Tristan Russcher to become an Associate of the Royal College of Organists. 

In September 2010 he was appointed Organ Scholar in St. Patrick’s Cathedral. As part of his scholarship he assists both Stuart Nicholson and David Leigh when they are playing for services. He also plays for some services himself assisted by his brother Luke. Those present at the General Synod service this year heard Harry play an organ duet with David Leigh, assistant organist in the cathedral.

Christmas Charity efforts

On Wednesday Dec 15, the Bishops of Cork will join in an ecumenical blessing of the SHARE crib at Daunt Square and this will mark the start of the annual SHARE fast. At St Ann's church, Dawson Street, on Thursday afternoon, Dec 16 the Archbishop of Dublin will launch the ‘Black Santa' sit-out by the Revd David Gillespie and his colleagues.

C of I archives feature

The final programme in the TG4 series, Who Lived in my House? will feature Castle Ellen, an early nineteenth century house near Athenry, Co. Galway, which was built by the Lambert family. The programme, which will be broadcast on Thursday evening Dec 16 at 8pm, will include sequences involving Church of Ireland archives which was filmed in the Representative Church Body Library.

Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols,The Collegiate Church of Saint Mary the Virgin, Youghal, County Cork

A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols sung by the Clerks Choral, directed by Ian Sexton, will take place on Monday 20th December 2010 at 8pm.

The music will include: 'Once in Royal' - WARLOCK; Adam Lay yBounden; Good King Wenceslas - HEAD; The Road to Bethlehem; O Little Town - FLECHA; Riu Riu Chiu (XVC); While Shepherds Watched - WARLOCK; Bethlehem Down; God rest Ye' - DARKE; In the Bleak Midwinter; Hark the Herald; and O Come All Ye Faithful. MOZART, F Minor / Major

For further information, visit: www.youghal.cork.anglican.org

See also C of I - The Week Ahead

C of I Sudan concerns to be raised in European meeting

Fears for the future of Southern Sudan raised by representatives of the Church of Ireland at a meeting with Irish Government officials will be conveyed to the next meeting of EU Foreign Ministers. The Church of Ireland Sudan Partnership Group met with Kevin Dowling, Director of the Irish Government’s Africa Section on December 9, exactly a month to the day before a Referendum in Sudan gives the people the opportunity to vote to become the world’s newest state and acquire independence from the North.  Also present at the meeting were Pat Bourne and Martin Gallagher of Irish Aid.

During a lengthy meeting in Iveagh House, Dublin, members of the Sudan Partnership Group stressed their desire for a peaceful and fair referendum, with freedom for all to vote; the opportunity for Southerners living in the north to be given the opportunity to vote without retribution; and expressed concerns about a separate referendum in Abyei, an area they fear could be a potential catalyst for a return to war, especially in the border areas.

They also raised the issue of provision for Sudanese nationals living outside Southern Sudan to vote, learning that any Sudanese people living in Ireland would have to travel to London to register and to vote, and discussed possible outcomes both to the referendum and the ending of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement which will run out on July 8 next year.

The Church delegation was assured that the Irish Government was very aware of the issues in Sudan in advance of the referendum, and that it would continue to be a focus of Foreign Affairs for some time.

All members of the Sudan Partnership Group have visited Sudan during the past year. The Rev Canon Cecil Wilson, former Director of Mission with CMSI, said after the meeting: “The warmth of the reception and the time they gave us and the willingness to remain in contact over this issue was extremely positive.”

David Gough of CMSI has been in Southern Sudan twice this year, returning home only two weeks before the meeting with the Irish officials. “The Irish Government has identified Abyei as their main concern which mirrors the concerns brought to us by Archbishop Deng and our global partners,” he said.

CMSI has offered to keep Irish Government officials advised of any developments on the ground brought to its attention by its partners in Sudan.

Archdeacon Stephen Forde, chair of the Diocese of Connor Council for Mission, travelled to Sudan in January and July this year. He said: “I was impressed that Mr Dowling and his team were very up to speed with the situation. Their understanding accorded with the views that had been expressed to us by those we have come to know in Sudan.”

Mr Dowling said his officials would brief Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin on the issues raised by the Sudan Partnership Group, and these would be on the agenda at the EU Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Brussels on Monday December 13.

See earlier report - this site

C of E may axe bishops to cut costs

The Guardian reports that the Church of England is considering "radical and realistic" recommendations to axe bishops and dioceses as a way of avoiding "wasteful duplication" and saving money.

A 120-page report, published today by the Dioceses Commission, proposed that there should be just one diocese serving Anglicans in West and North Yorkshire, instead of the current three, and that lower-paid junior bishops should replace higher-paid senior ones. It also suggested the diocesan bishops of Bradford, Ripon and Leeds, and Wakefield be compensated "for loss of office".

The report said the new "decentralised" diocese would be split into five areas, each with its own area bishop and council, to achieve a "strong element of devolution". It claimed that area bishops would be "closer in every sense to their clergy and people than it has been possible for the diocesan bishops to be".

Dr Priscilla Chadwick, who chaired the review, said the report was "mission-led and not finance-driven", though she said money would be saved through the cutbacks and mergers.

"We have asked which structures will best enable the Church of England to relate to the communities of Yorkshire, which will be most intelligible to non-churchgoers, which would eliminate wasteful duplication, and which are likely to prove resilient and sustainable into the medium term," she said.

The report identified several areas where spending would be reduced if the proposals were accepted: the number of senior bishops, and their associated housing, stipends, staff support and operating costs.

The commission spoke to about 250 people in Yorkshire, including clergy, laity and councillors, and is now open for consultation. The feedback will determine whether the commission prepares a "draft reorganisation scheme" in June.

The earliest any scheme would be considered by the Church of England's governing body would be 2013.

See also:
http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/content.asp?id=105295
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/8192654/
The full report is available at www.diocom.org/Yorkshire.

Wrong to ban RE infuence - report states

A new report from the theology think tank Theos has criticised attempts to restrict the influence of religious beliefs on education.

“Doing God in Education” is authored by Professor Trevor Cooling, director of the National Institute for Christian Education Research at Canterbury Christ Church University.

He says attempts to ban religious faith from shaping education as misguided and harmful.

In particular, he challenges the prevailing assumption that education should be based on human knowledge and rationality because they are objective and independent of the “clutter” of religious beliefs.

Professor Cooling warns that such a position only privileges secular worldviews and so-called “commonsense” values in the classroom.

“The problem with this position is its dependence on the particular humanist belief that religion is ‘clutter’ when it comes to knowledge. It is not therefore fair or inclusive to base public education on this approach because it unjustifiably privileges a secular view of knowledge,” he states.

Instead, Professor Cooling argues that humanists and Christians need to recognise that each other’s beliefs are integral to the development of their own interpretations of issues such science and the family.

Professor Cooling said there was a need for atheists to change the way in which they regard their own beliefs and accept that religious beliefs are not simply “clutter”.

He asserted that Christians were not looking for religious worldviews to trump non-religious worldviews, but rather that they be treated as “equal partners”.

The political context of Christmas 2010

In these extracts from his Christmas message, Bishop Michael Burrows of Cashel and Ossary points to the context of Christmas 2010 in Ireland.

“Every time the story of Christmas is told and retold it happens in a specific political and historical context. It brings the hope of peace in times of war,  a recall to deeper priorities in times of prosperity, a message of God’s empathy with the poor at times of shortage. And so it is that this year in Ireland we hear again the message of the angels and in heart and mind go to Bethlehem at a moment of economic meltdown and great political uncertainty. Just a few years ago we proclaimed the Christmas Gospel in a context of considerable wealth and affluence. And – rightly – we expect the story of this season to illuminate our situation in both contexts...”

“There will be less money to spend this year and many reasons to be downcast. Yet, as well as its annual moment of genuine jollity in the depths of winter, Christmas brings hope because it makes those who think they control the world stand anew in the presence of values that will triumph and endure long after the politicians of a particular generation have been forgotten. At Christmas the political world, in respect for the baby of Bethlehem, holds a kind of annual truce from its normal squabbles and clashes, and lets the untarnished light of integrity and truth shine forth from the stable. Again for a day bruised humanity sees a vision of what it should be capable of becoming.

This message is not meant to be a cheap attack on politicians – far from it. More than most they deserve our prayers and I have always striven to take a high view of the political vocation. But just as the first Christmas shed its light in an unpromising political context, so too must this one. So, daring to paraphrase Scripture, I would want to assert – ‘In the year of grace 2010, when Mary McAleese was President of Ireland, Brian Cowan was Taoiseach and Mary Coughlan Tanaiste, the light of Christmas shone in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it’.”

Jerusalem synod meets in Jordan

This week Bishop John Bryson Chane of the Diocese of Washington, D.C., joined more than 100 members of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem in Amman, Jordan, for the annual Majma (synod) to review and administer the work of the Jerusalem diocese which covers five countries.

Chane, along with his wife Karen and other Episcopalians from the Washington diocese, joined Bishop Suheil Dawani, the clergy and leaders of the Jerusalem diocesan institutions at the meeting.

"This valued partnership continues to grow in mutual support on issues benefitting both dioceses, respecting each other's differences," according to a press release from the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem.

Chane spoke of the energy of the Majma and the faithful witness to Christ. "It is not about the size of the diocese. It is about what it does and what it offers to the rest of the church worldwide," he said.

The Majma began with an opening service held at St. Mary's, Irbid, a church that was consecrated in August. Discussions and business sessions continued for the following two days, interspersed with fellowship and devotions led by various members.

The Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem includes 27 parishes and supports 33 institutions throughout Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. The U.S. Episcopal Church continues to support the Jerusalem diocese through partnerships and companion diocese relationships. The Diocese of Washington entered into a three-year companion relationship with the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem in January. The relationship will be in effect until January 2013, at which point both dioceses will evaluate whether or not to continue.

The institutions of the Jerusalem diocese include hospitals, clinics, kindergartens and schools, vocational training programs, as well as centers for the deaf, the disabled and the elderly.

"Supporting the Christian presence through local congregations and reaching out to neighbors in great need are diocesan priorities which are faithfully followed in spite of the many challenges in this region," the press release said.

During the Majma, Dawani honoured the service of long-standing members of the diocese, including Suhaila Tarazi from the Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza and Farida Shatarh from the Home for the Elderly in Ashrafieh. Jamil Haddad also was honoured for his valued contribution to Irbid and the work there.

At the end of the Majma, Dawani "summed up by endorsing the spirit of unity he felt amongst the clergy despite working over the large area of five countries and often in difficult circumstances," the release said. "He encouraged all to be united as the Body of Christ as we seek to serve here in the Middle East."