Irish Times Notes22 Jan 22

Church of Ireland Notes from ‘The Irish Times’

Archbishop of Armagh’s Survey

A new survey seeks to gather the views of members of the Church of Ireland on ethnic diversity, inclusion and racial justice. The initiative of the Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Revd John McDowell, follows discussions with members and clergy and those serving in lay ministry from a wide range of ethnic backgrounds on the progress made within the Church on drawing on our rich diversity.

At the Church of Ireland’s most recent General Synod in September 2021, the Archbishop said: “It was a little troubling to hear about how we had not drawn anything like deeply enough on the rich diversity of backgrounds in our Church. The meeting had also helped me to understand how difficult it can be to be a person of colour on this island and even, at times, in our Church.”

The research now being carried out has been designed in collaboration with the group of ethnically diverse clergy and lay readers who have now met on a further occasion, and will, along with other strands, examine and make recommendations on how the Church of Ireland can become truly a place of welcome for those from every ethnic background, both lay and clergy. The research will be led by Dr Lucy Michael of the Dioceses of Dublin and Glendalough.

The Archbishop said: “Already in their discussions the group have also highlighted the positive experience of giving and receiving, but there is much we will need to do if we are to be the place which not only includes, but also celebrates, the God–given difference of the Catholic Church which we stand on our hind legs and proclaim ourselves to be in the words of the ancient Creeds, Sunday by Sunday.”

The Archbishop will publish and share the findings of the research and recommendations ahead of General Synod 2022.

All lay and clerical members of the Church are invited to give their views in this survey, which can be accessed here: www.ireland.anglican.org/diversity–survey

As teenagers and young adults look forward to a new year of youth ministry, the Church of Ireland Youth Department’s Young Leaders in Ministry Fund is once again open for applications.  The fund is open to young people aged between 15 and 25 years who can demonstrate a current involvement in the Church of Ireland.  It seeks to support training and development courses, mission teams, leadership opportunities and placements that can be shown to: significantly develop the faith of the young adult applicant; grow the skills of the applicant especially, but not confined to, leadership skills; and be of significant use to the ministry of the Church of Ireland in the 12 months following the completion of the opportunity.

The next closing date is Monday, 31st January 2022, and application forms (in PDF format) can be downloaded here. Completed applications should be posted to: Young Leaders in Ministry Fund, CIYD, Church of Ireland House, 61–67 Donegall Street, Belfast, BT1 2QH, or by email to admin@ciyd.org. For any further information or questions, please email simon@ciyd.org

Canon Leonard Ruddock has been appointed the new Rector of Irishtown and Donnybrook in the Diocese of Dublin. He was ordained for the Non Stipendiary Ministry (now Self–Supporting Ministry) in 1994 and combined ministry with his career in retail in Roscrea, County Tipperary. In 2005 he transferred to full–time ministry, serving his Curacy in Stillorgan and Blackrock parishes. Since 2008 he has been the Rector of Blessington Union of Parishes. He succeeds the Revd John Marchant who has retired.