Diocesan News
Church of Ireland Diocese of Cork explores post–Brexit links with Lichfield Diocese in England
The United Dioceses of Cork, Cloyne and Ross in the Church of Ireland, is actively pursuing a new link with the Lichfield Diocese in the Church of England in order to foster close relations following Brexit.
In November last year, the Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, the Right Reverend Dr Paul Colton, welcomed the Bishop of Lichfield, the Right Reverend Dr Michael Ipgrave, to Cork to explore the potential for further links between the two dioceses.
Bishop Colton and Bishop Ipgrave issued the following joint statement on Tuesday (4th February):
Our two dioceses are actively exploring the possibilities of exchange and a deepening of relationships not only in the context of our common membership of the Anglican Communion of Churches, but also against the backdrop of Brexit. In these days following Brexit and as the relationships between peoples on these islands unfolds anew, we believe it is important to think not only of commerce and trade, but also of what it means, in the broadest sense, to be good neighbours in this part of the world.
Brexit was not a vote to leave Europe; it is about leaving the European Union. We are part of a larger family of Christians and we can encourage one other by learning from each other and enriching one another’s life. We will look at specific and tangible ways we can do this across our two dioceses in the coming months as our link develops.
The United Dioceses of Cork Cloyne and Ross, has been nurturing connections in recent years also with the Diocese of Porvoo in the Church of Finland, with the Diocese of Strängnäs in the Church of Sweden, and has also been approached to explore deeper contact with the Diocese of Easton in The Episcopal Church (USA).
The Diocese of Lichfield already has a partnership link with the Nordkirche Lutheran Church in Northern Germany who on Friday (31 January) reaffirmed their commitment to that link in the wake of Brexit.
Diocesan Media & Information Technology Officer
087 7055 989
Ms Denise Stobart
media@corkchurchofireland.com