| Friday 19th October, 2007 You are here: Home - 19th October 2007 Index Page - 19th October 2007 Letters Page |
Letters to the Editor
Jesus calls us to unity and The Episcopal Church in the United States has demonstrated a commitment to unity with its decision to "exercise restraint" with regard to the consecration of homosexual persons to the episcopate. The Episcopal Church has, however, rightly left the door open by calling for greater listening across the Anglican Communion. By contrast, Archbishop Akinola has closed the door firmly with his demands for "unequivocal assurances".
True listening requires one to be open to the possibility of transformation. Participants in this conversation (all of us) should be prepared to discover new things about each other and end up seeing ourselves and others from new angles. For this listening process to be genuine there must be no prescribed outcome. The Anglican Communion has much to gain from undertaking this process. Would that more would follow the example of The Episcopal Church and open doors so that real dialogue can take place.
Peggy Carpenter
6 Jellicoe Avenue
Belfast
BT15 3FZ
A very significant omission was made in your report on the reaction of the Joint Standing Committee ( JSC) of the Anglican Consultative Council and Primates to the clarifications of the American Episcopal Church’s (TEC) response to the Windsor Report (Gazette, 12th October). In the interests of fair and accurate coverage, it must be said that there was a minority report appended to the JSC’s response. This suggests that there was no unanimity or entire consensus amongst the membership of the JSC. The significant actions of the Rt Revd Mouneer Anis, President Bishop of Jerusalem and the Middle East, in issuing such an article must surely be worthy of coverage? Moreover, he has suggested that the report was seriously (perhaps fatally) disadvantaged by lack of discussion and the non-attendance of some of the members of the JSC at its meetings. He is clear that he "strongly disagrees" with the JSC report’s conclusions. It ought also to be noted that Bishop Anis was present at the New Orleans meeting of TEC’s House of Bishops, where he observed, first hand, the process by which the Bishops compiled their response, hearing for himself the nuances of the debate. TEC’s Presiding Bishop, Katharine Jefferts Schori, was herself a member of the JSC – another factor worthy of note. Other Anglican news outlets have carried news of this minority report. Perhaps ours, in the Church of Ireland, could do this also?
Trevor S. Johnston (The Revd)
105 Jordanstown Road
Newtownabbey
BT37 0NT
The Dean of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin begins his Insight in last week’s issue by drawing the attention of the readership of the Gazette to his own interest in and publication about ministry in the Church of Ireland. On a number of occasions the dean draws readers’ attention to a lack of information on the forthcoming arrangements for training and formation of ordinands and lay persons in the Church of Ireland. As many readers will be aware, the changes have been the subject of some of the widest consultation in the Church of Ireland of recent years. Well-attended Information Evenings have been held in Dublin and Belfast and there was also a substantial presentation at General Synod in Kilkenny. Had the dean been in attendance at any of these, he would find that many of the points he raises have been raised and answered. Regarding the degree M. Min., negotiations with Trinity College Dublin are far advanced. Significant progress has been made. Indeed, Professor Linda Hogan, Head of the School of Religions, Theology and Ecumenics, the Provost of Trinity College and senior officers of the University have expressed their commitment to seeing the curriculum through in a way which meets the Church of Ireland’s goals and achieves academic rigour.
Traditionally, arrangements for provision of ministerial training and formation in the Church of Ireland lie with the bishops. It is mischievous to suggest that no thought has been given to enabling existing staff of the current Theological College now in post to see out their contract. The dean seems to be unaware that the bishops intend to do this and also to enable those currently admitted to read for the B.Th. and those training for the NSM to complete their course of study.
A project of this magnitude requires a co-ordinator who is au fait with the workings of the Church of Ireland. Mr Andrew McNeile (not, as the dean suggests, McNeill) fulfils this role on behalf of the bishops on a contract basis and at a fee agreed with the Representative Body. The financial officers of the Representative Body are working closely with the planning team to ensure that budgets and all legal issues are appropriately planned for, addressed and submitted to the relevant bodies at the correct time.
Michael Jackson, Bishop of Clogher
152a Ballagh Road
Fivemiletown
Co. Tyrone
I am grateful to Dean Rooke for his article about the current system of General Synod representation (Gazette, 5th October), and I agree with his analysis. He has echoed what has been said many times before, but who is listening? I would however like to highlight one issue expressed. The expenses for delegates attending General Synod must be given consideration. A week in Tenerife or Majorca would be cheaper than three days in Kilkenny/ Dublin/Galway or wherever. Now, there’s a thought for a venue! The cost factor is significant. How can we hope to involve more young people? There is also the danger that General Synod becomes some kind of Executive Club, not representative of the Church of Ireland.
John Bond (The Very Revd)
The Rectory
49 Rectory Gardens
Broughshane
Co. Antrim
BT42 4LF