Diocesan News
Limerick & Killaloe Diocesan Synod
After the formal opening of the Limerick and Killaloe Diocesan Synod at Villiers School on 24 June, the two invited guest speakers, from very different ends of the Christian spectrum, gave essentially similar messages showing just how much we have travelled down the ecumenical journey. The Very Revd Canon Donough O’Malley, late of St Joseph’s Parish, Limerick, representing Bishop Brendan Leahy, spoke of that journey, which has demonstrated how ecumenism in action can help us better serve the human condition. The Revd. Ruth Watts, Methodist minister from Adare emphasised the effectiveness of joint engagement in mission, especially and importantly at local levels.
In his presidential address, Bishop Kenneth Kearon underlined the need for visionary leadership if we are to address the needs – both physical and spiritual – of a country in which the economy is growing from strength to strength, yet which struggles with severe problems of homelessness and inadequate hospital beds. Additionally, the phenomenon of rural depopulation is affecting most parts of the country apart from the East coast; agricultural employment is decreasing, jobs in tourism are by their nature seasonal and rarely form part of longer–term community growth.
In the light of these issues, he said that it is increasingly important that as a church we ‘remain present’ and play a full part in local community life, using all our resources and buildings for the good of the whole community. This drives our mission both here and abroad. Our Long Term Church initiative encourages us to extend our welcome within our congregations into those outside it; the Spiritual Tourism project helps us offer a faith experience drawn from the wonderful history and sense of spiritual place across the beauty of God’s creation in this part of Ireland.
Bishop Kearon went on to explain that the foundation for this lies both in our continuing desire to learn more about our faith through continuing education, and the maintenance of an appropriate structure in which to operate. The proposal to move towards joining our Diocese with the Diocese of Tuam, Killala and Achonry (which was later agreed upon by Synod) is a reflection of this need.
Echoing the messages from the Synod guest speakers above, he emphasised that we must continue to seek to remove any remaining barriers to greater co–operation and interchange across our various Christian denominations.
In closing, the Bishop reminded us that as we review the year that has passed and look forward to the year to come, we must continue to thank God for the privilege of being part of His Church and welcome the opportunities for service it provides. He committed the proceedings of Synod into His hands, and prayed for His guidance in all we say and do.
Communications Officer, Tuam, Limerick & Killaloe
089 448 9353
Stephen Fletcher
comms@tlk.ie