The Church of Ireland
Diocesan Press Release

The Bishop, Rt. Rev. Paul Colton, welcomed everyone present, including representatives of the Roman Catholic, Presbyterian and Methodist Churches, the Chairman of Kinsale Urban District Council and others. He also drew attention to the fact that we were in the Harpoon Room, but he wanted no stabbing. As if!

Canon David Williams (Kinsale Union) used a maritime theme for his scripture reading and prayers and so the Synod ship was ready to set sail.

Mrs Judy Peters (Ross Union) was appointed assessor to smooth out irregularities and John Stanley (Kinsale Union) was the unanimously re-elected Lay Member of The Representative Church Body. The Bishop's address brought members through the deeper currents of certain relevant European issues, anchoring in Diocesan matters and much applause (see report elsewhere).

Following this Canon J.L.B. Deane dealt with communications from the General Synod in his own inimitable fashion. These dealt mainly with prayer book revisions as discussed at the recent synod and with changes to retirement benefits and the provision of mediation panels. He also listed nine resolutions authorising the introduction of bills relating to prayer book revision at the next General Synod. He called for an initiative from this diocese to do something about the time taken up by these bills, to the detriment of other synod business. Canon Deane suggested that this diocese make a request for a special one day synod to deal with the matter.

Standing Orders were suspended to allow the Chairman of Kinsale Urban District Council, Cllr. Nicholas Searls, make a presentation to the Bishop on behalf of his colleagues and the people of Kinsale. His words of welcome did not pass without reference to the "two great men of Kinsale", namely Canon O'Mahony, parish priest, and Canon Williams, rector, and the good relationship that exists between both men and both churches.

As expected, the greater body of debate and comment arose from the in-depth Report of the Diocesan Council. In presenting this report, Richard Dring (Carrigaline Union) specifically drew attention to the Assessments of 2001, General Synod membership, the Draft Covenant of the Church of Ireland/Methodist Church, the 1999 Planning Act, 'Safeguarding Trust' and the Euro as it applies to church giving.

On the subject of assessments, Richard stated that stipends will rise by 8%, and although this will put pressure on parishes, we are a family whose members must look after each other and clergy must be remunerated in a just and fair manner. This rise will put burdens on some parishes but he encouraged parishes in difficulties to approach Diocesan Council. Tax Relief on charitable giving should also bring a degree of new funding but charitable giving and finances will have to be declared more openly than heretofore.

By the time this Report was open to discussion, speakers were on the move. Winner of the race was the ever agile Dean George Hilliard (Cloyne Union) who, referring to the Parish as a family, paid sincere tribute to the many volunteers listed in the Book of Reports for their efforts and stressed how much their attendance at synods, councils, vestry and committee meetings is appreciated. "We the paid people couldn't be here if it weren't for volunteers", he said. The Dean's volunteer list was extended as the Rev. Peter Hanna (Kinsale Union) drew attention to the fact that those in Auxiliary Ministry are also non-paid, a fact too easily overlooked.

Robin Newenham (Diocesan Council) raised the question of whether supplemental members of General Synod should be able to attend if ordinary members were unable to do so.

On the subject of reports, Canon Michael Burrows (Bandon Union) wished synodical business could focus on a broader agenda and felt that opportunity should be given to members to respond to the Presidential Address; he would have loved the chance to do so. He wished that themes could be set for synods, he even offered a theme for next year, Golden Calves, the sacred idols in life and in the Church that are not to be touched.

This point was echoed by Nicholas MacGillycuddy (Abbeystrewry Union) who felt that synod should spend more time on things for the future rather than rubber-stamping things done in the past. He felt there is a need to involve our grassroots people in knowing what synod is all about and synod members should seek out their concerns in advance.

Archdeacon Robin Bantry White (Douglas Union) expressed concern about the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act 1999 as he was unsure as to how it might be implemented. The onus will be on local authorities to respect liturgical requirements. In this sensitive matter the Archdeacon advised a building up of a relationship with the officials in charge. To add to this, Andrew Coleman (Bandon Union) stated that church buildings have a heritage value and he called for a challenge to be issued to the State to provide financial support and help as it does to the Urban Renewal Scheme. Also on this topic, Dean Michael Jackson (St. Fin Barre's Union) believed that people of the locality should be informed as to the future of our buildings and this information should be shared through the power of local media.

On the matter of assessment, Brian Cairns (Cloyne Union) felt that moaning about assessment had become a traditional sport in the Church of Ireland and mostly done by people who enjoy such luxuries as smoking, drinking, Sky Sport and so on. We looked after bodily needs, but "is your soul not worth worrying about?" He also asked the pertinent question; Have clergy £30,000 to put a deposit on a modest house selling at £130,000? (Midleton prices)

Considerable attention was also paid to subjects such as the finer financial points of insurance cover, litigation, Fas schemes and tax rebates and a variety of speakers offered remedies and advice that had been discovered through experience.

The debate on this Diocesan Council report lasted well into the afternoon, but was very productive as, to quote the Bishop, "much is achieved by sharing opinion".

The Report of the Diocesan Board of Education was proposed by the Rev. Brian O'Rourke (St. Luke's Union) and seconded by Bill Perrott (Douglas Union). He said the Board was looking at a wider education platform as the world of education is an evolving one. School culture and ethos are of the utmost importance and there is a need for seminars on these. He also mentioned the difficulty in finding chairpersons for Boards of Management, but training for such would be taking place.

Dean Michael Jackson paid tribute to Bill Perrott for his organisation of seminars and to the many volunteers who make smooth the running of schools. He agreed that ethos was an important topic: national schools are places of character and they play a vital role in the life of our children. Alwyn Williams (Diocesan Council) suggested the establishment of an association of primary school principals for support and advice.

A motion welcoming the new primary R.C. course "Follow Me" and urging its implementation in the diocese was passed. Rev. Brian O'Rourke praised the course as innovative in its involvement with families.

In proposing the Report of the Diocesan Social Services Committee, Canon David Williams said the committee will be producing a pamphlet on racism and he recalled that non-nationals in Canada are called "New Canadians", so wished that we could have "New Irish" here.

The Youth Review Report was presented by the Rev. Alan Marley, in the absence of the Rev. Paul Willoughby. He stressed that the committee was committed to listening to what young people were saying and it is hoped to foster the evolution of their own identity for young C. of I. people. The Diocesan Council and the C. of I Youth Department had given the committee very necessary support which is much appreciated.

Dean Michael Jackson commended the report for being upbeat, honest and clear. He stressed that there was a real challenge here; they need backing and support from all to carry out this programme-led initiative. There was a vital need to listen to all youth groups and to get them listening to one another, their integrity must be protected and this youth-based spiritual process must not become a 'toy church'. Dean Chris Peters (Ross Union) complimented the Bishop on the care he puts into confirmation and those who are confirmed. Norma Graves (Carrigrohane Union) is a young person so it was good to hear her appeal for information and notice of youth events in other dioceses. These, she suggested, might be communicated to young people in Cork, Cloyne and Ross as this would widen the Youth arena and, obviously, be appealing.

Dean Michael Jackson proposed the Church Music Committee Report. A salient point raised was the dilemma posed in churches where there is no organ. According to Dr Robert Fountain (Abbeystrewry Union), the existing tapes are at variance with the new Church Hymnal, regarding numbers and melody, but, happily, Canon Williams reported that the organist in Kill o' the Grange parish, Dublin, is at present recording the new hymns on new tapes. Dean Jackson promised to check on the progress of these tapes and to keep parishes informed of their accessibility.

Christian Stewardship, as defined by proposer Bill Perrott, promotes the coming together of the people of a parish so that all can be involved in the life of a parish. He drew attention to three aspects of the C.S programme: a special service with a speaker who talks about Stewardship, a parish gathering to bond parishioners and, finally, a visitation. The Rev. Alan Marley, seconder, stressed that Stewardship is an effective tool for the running of a parish and he referred to the necessity for re-organisation due to the current scale of population movement. Christian Stewardship celebrates discipleship.

"Mission is something near at hand". So Dean Michael Jackson pointed out, as proposer of the report of the Diocesan Council of Mission and mission entails working on issues of diocesan significance. Mission has an important part to play and the Dean was glad that the Mission Resource Person, Charles Irwin, had visited the dioceses and put paid to ill-founded assumptions about our own church. The Dean hoped we would continue to use him, despite the hideous title imposed on him! Canon Williams and Rev. Brian O'Rourke, both very much involved in the Mission to Seafarers, reminded us of an area of involvement which is close at hand, although Brian warned that asylum seekers are not 'circus animals' on display for self-gratification.

Dean George Hilliard had been the first speaker from the floor many hours previously, and he now presented the final report from the Diocesan Healing Committee. He commended all hospital chaplains for their ongoing work and revealed that eight parishes now have regular healing services. This is proof positive that Healing Ministry is alive and well.

Members of Synod were by now poised to take off in many directions, following their daylong schedule (and the adoption of all reports according to the correct procedures). Although much ground was covered, some delegates felt there was more to be addressed, but it is a sign of an effective organisation that there is always more work to be done.

The Bishop thanked everyone for their presence and participation and the synod ended with prayer.

Attendance: overall attendance was 85.6%. For clergy 20 attended out of a possible 28 and 95 members of the laity were present, out of a possible 110.