On Saturday 29th November in the Rochestown Park Hotel, Cork, three Church of Ireland Bishops - Bishop Peter Barrett of Cashel, Bishop Michael Mayes of Limerick and Bishop Paul Colton of Cork led discussion of a report entitled The Hard Gospel about sectarianism in the Church. Each Bishop gave a short opening statement:

Speaking about the challenge of dealing positively with difference and learning to live with it, not least in the context of the current debate in Anglicanism about sexual orientation, Bishop Paul Colton said:

"One of the greatest challenges facing us all, not only in the Churches today, but also in society at large is to learn to live peaceably and creatively together in the context of our diversity, where difference is accommodated. This is particularly the case at this time within the Anglican Communion as the debate about sexual orientation proceeds. The days to come will test our maturity as a community of faith, and moreover, by our words and actions, the very breadth of the embrace of Christ's love and the inclusiveness of the Christian good news itself will be measured, by many within and outside the Church alike."

Calling for a compassionate approach to asylum in this country, Bishop Peter Barrett underlined that sectarianism is a real local issue:

"It is all too easy for us in the Republic of Ireland to distance ourselves from the implications and insights of this study, seeing sectarianism as a virus which belongs elsewhere. Sectarianism is everywhere often lying dormant deep within each of us, until a particular button of the subconscious is pressed."

Warning of one particular danger of sectarianism, Bishop Michael Mayes highlighted the fact that what is particularly horrific is that sectarianism is often 'sanctified' by religion:

"The manifold barriers that exist and have always existed between human beings are based on race, gender, culture, class and a number of others besides. Sectarianism is part of that phenomenon, but in some ways is more insidious and perhaps more intractable because it adds divine sanction to the religious boundaries that separate us."

Dr Gareth Higgins, author of the report, introduced it to the meeting and most of the day was devoted to affording an opportunity to the church representatives - lay and clerical present to debate the report and to make written submissions to the Church of Ireland committee which is ensuring the report is followed up.