Diocesan News
Limerick and Killaloe Diocesan Synod
By the Revd Michael Cavanagh
In his opening address to the Limerick and Killaloe Diocesan Synod, Bishop Kenneth Kearon first acknowledged the recent death of Bishop Donald Caird, Bishop of Limerick from 1970–1976, the last Bishop of Limerick before its union with the Diocese of Killaloe. Bishop Donald was a great scholar, a devotee of the Irish language, and a truly kind and gentle bishop. We shall miss him, but he will be remembered with warmth and affection. “Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis.”
Bishop Kenneth’s address centred on parish ministry in the Diocese, mentioning first the role of Lay Diocesan Readers, colleagues in ministry alongside ordained ministers, whose ministry is equally valid and has a place in our diocesan life at least as important with respect to Sunday ministry. Synod was challenged to encourage people to consider and explore their calling to service in the role.
One new development to be welcomed will make its appearance over the next year or so – Ordained Local Ministry (OLM). General Synod has now approved the introduction of this form of ministry, and selection is likely to begin next year, in 2018. OLMs will be different from non–stipendiary ministers because their primary commitment will be to the parish, not the diocese. Their selection will be supported by their parish to meet a clear need, and their vocation will be tested at a diocesan or regional level. We look forward to working with a more varied mix of ministry, lay and ordained, readers, OLMs, part–time and full–time clergy, alongside various other forms of lay ministry, not lay people undertaking “clergy” roles, but lay people discovering their own gifts and contributions to the life of the church.
Further important discussions on our Synod Agenda will have significant implications for the future. One is the proposal to amalgamate the Diocesan Board of Mission with the Long–Term Church Committee, bringing them together to develop a broader understanding of what mission is – the reaching out in the name of Jesus Christ to our neighbours, whoever or wherever they may be.
We shall review our conversations with the Diocese of Tuam, Killala and Achonry, in which we have been engaged for a couple of years, prompted by the work of the Commission on Episcopal Ministry and Structures, which as far as the dioceses in the South and West of this island are concerned, quickly became a discussion about the size of dioceses and diocesan boundaries.
And in the year that has passed since Archdeacon Gordon Linney and Canon Cecil Hyland presented their report Forward Together to this diocese and Synod, we shall review progress towards its implementation, showing how their recommendations have been turned into action.
Finally, Bishop Kenneth personally thanked our two Archdeacons and our Dean for the support they give him – and in particular, he said that it is impossible to quantify all that our Diocesan Secretary, Yvonne Blennerhassett, does for the effective and efficient running of the diocese.
In conclusion, he reminded Synod that teamwork is the hallmark of this diocese. The challenge is now to address the work of today, in the name of God.
Communications Officer, Tuam, Limerick & Killaloe
089 448 9353
Stephen Fletcher
comms@tlk.ie