Saturday 14th June 2003

The Right Reverend Paul Colton, Bishop of Cork, following consultation with members of the Diocese, decided that at this year's Synod, which is being held today in the Rochestown Park Hotel, Cork, to put himself on the spot.

Traditionally Bishops make their annual Episcopal address as President of the Synod and the agenda proceeds without opportunity to take up or debate what has been said, however challenging or provocative.

This year, in Cork, members of the Church will be able to come back at the Bishop about things he has said and matters he has raised.

Bishop Colton said:

"I am glad to take up this suggestion made by the members of the Synod. Healthy, open debate is crucial for the well-being of any community of people; and in any event, under God it is a people's Church not the Bishops or clergy's alone."

Among the matters being raised by the Bishop in order to open up that dialogue are:

• The dilemma of vacant parishes (47 in the Church of Ireland, three in this diocese) and the need for Strategic Planning
• The input of lay people in the working of the Diocese
• The challenge of trying to sustain too much infrastructure that denies resources for the provision of ministry
• The need for diocesan or regional discussion on the issues of sectarianism, as outlined in the Church of Ireland scoping study document The Hard Gospel
• How an intensifying social and legal scenario affects the life of the Church
• The active strengthening of the Church of Ireland Covenant with the Methodist Church
• Positive engagement with the potential offered by the fact that Cork will be European Capital of Culture in 2005