Christian Unity and Dialogue17 Apr 13

Church of Ireland hosting Porvoo Communion Consultation

The Church of Ireland is currently (15–18 April 2013)hosting a Porvoo Communion Consultation on the Diaconate. Focusing on the theme Diaconal Ministry as a Proclamation of the Gospel, about 30 people representing different parts of the Porvoo Communion are attending the consultation which is based in the Church of Ireland Theological Institute in Dublin. This is the third consultation on diaconal ministry and aims to bring all churches up to date with developments in the Communion and the extent to which the recommendations of the last consultation in 2009 have been implemented.

The consultation will also look ahead, providing space for reflection on fresh opportunities to strengthen the ministry of deacons in today’s fast changing European scene. It will call on the Churches of the Porvoo Communion to cooperate in this endeavour and thereby add momentum to Christian witness to contemporary society.

The Church of Ireland is assisting in resourcing the Consultation which has participants from Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Denmark, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Estonia, England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Spain and Portugal.

The Consultation is co–chaired by the Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Revd Dr Michael Jackson, and the Bishop of Uppsala, the Rt Revd Ragnar Persenius. The Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Revd Dr Richard Clarke, is also participating (all pictured above – photo by Lynn Glanville).

Among the speakers are Kjell Nordstokke from Diakonhjemmet University College, Norway, and the Bishop of Edinburgh while from the Church of Ireland Ireland there are contributions from the Bishop of Clogher, the Rt Revd John McDowell; the Bishop of Cashel & Ossory, the Rt Revd Michael Burrows and the Rector of Clones, Canon Helene Steed.