We, in Kilmore Elphin and Ardagh, are a cross border Diocese which means we have members of Synod from both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

In Northern Ireland we live in days of a fragile peace process that often seems more like a crisis process. The past week has been the most serious crisis so far.

In the Republic the Flood Tribunal, the Nice Treaty, and the Power To Change Initiative have all featured in the news in recent weeks.

In our own Church of Ireland the past year has included the signing of a new Covenant with the Methodist Church, creative thinking about patterns of Christian ministry for the future and deep courageous research on sectarianism in the past and present. I am confident in saying that no other tradition in Ireland has initiated such extensive and comprehensive research of sectarian attitudes beliefs and practices within it’s own family.

In our own Diocese on the last Saturday in September we jointly sponsored a day Conference with Bishop Leo and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kilmore. The theme was “Towards Changing a Culture -Young People and Alcohol Abuse.”

As I have reflected on all these events and issues I have been prompted to ask some searching and fundamental questions which warrant our consideration today.

What kind of a country culture and church do we need and want? For those of us in the Church the priority and even more important questions are…

• What kind of country does God want?
• What kind of Church does God want?
• What kind of culture does God want?

What kind of country does God want?

“Where there is no vision the people perish” is a frequently misquoted verse from the Old Testament. It is certainly true that vision is vital and never more so than at this time in Northern Ireland. Serious mistrust, political posturing, and widespread uncertainty saturate the political and community landscape of Northern Ireland. Myths are magnified, old paths are still trodden, and fears are fostered.

Blaming and demonising the other side is endemic. Hope and vision are sacrificed on the altar of party politics and tribal aspirations. However presenting problems often are the result of deeper non-articulated issues. Unionists and Nationalists, Republicans and Loyalists all have issues to address.

Our politicians reflect the views of those who vote for them and so all of us have issues to address. We cannot, as electorate, blame the politicians if we have lost the vision of somehow finding a new network of relationships in Ireland. We dare not go back. We cannot go back. We must not go back. Therefore it is imperative that, despite the width of the obstacles and the depth of the problems, we continue to search for structures and models of self-government in Northern Ireland, which will reflect our respective traditions and carve out a new visionary and courageous way forward. Despite all the problems of the Agreement it must not be forgotten that much has been achieved and that politicians of all persuasions have worked hard, efficiently and effectively in all aspects of the province’s life. Such gains and steps forward must not be lost. Many politicians have taken great risks and have genuinely attempted to move forward. They have reflected the desires and longings of so many people that we want a peaceful society where different traditions work together constructively and without the shadow of the paramilitaries.

An intentional process of exploring ways of understanding how the other side feels and thinks is essential. We cannot hide in our political and traditional cultural bunkers. To listen only to people of our own political tradition is like living in a narrow political sect. Same-sect ghettoes are cul-de-sacs. They foster misconceptions and they stifle openness engagement and encounter. They close doors instead of opening them.

Recent developments have made such a vision of a new way forward even more urgent. They also illustrate the enormity of the challenges of bringing together those with dramatically contrasting political aspirations. Many Unionists have seen the Agreement as a settlement, a destination; many Nationalists have seen the Agreement as a stepping-stone, a means to an end. I ask the members of this Synod. Pray for our political leaders. Listen carefully to those who hold different views. Understand where they are coming from. Recognize that problems, which have roots going back over centuries, will not be solved instantly or suddenly.

Lasting peace will take time to achieve. Patience is paramount. Obstacles will occur. However significant and lasting developments can only be achieved and sustained when politicians are committed to telling the truth and deliberately facilitate trust building actions and initiatives. There is a very thin line between spin doctoring and consciously misleading people, sometimes there isn’t even a thin line! Truth and integrity are the foundations of trust. They are the fundamentals of any relationships. Truth sets people free. Trust is the key, which opens doors of peace and progress. Abuse of trust closes doors. Sustained progress is a vital necessity if we are not to go back to the old paths of horrendous hatred, endless violence, yawning division, community chaos, heart-broken families and fatherless children. It is more than interesting that this year the BBC Reith Lectures were on the theme of trust. They were entitled “A Question of Trust.”

The peace we pray for can only be discovered if violence is resolutely and emphatically rejected. It is totally unacceptable that in this new dispensation the names and addresses of our Prison officers should be in the hands of paramilitaries. The machinery of war must be dismantled. The tactics of warfare must be repudiated. The weapons of war are no longer needed. There is absolutely no justification for an armed struggle in a 21st Century Ireland. To choose violence, as a method of achieving political aspirations in Ireland today is misguided, ill judged, untenable and morally indefensible.

This applies as equally to cross community and same community punishment beatings, revenge activities, and paramilitary score settling as it does to bombs and gun attacks on the wider community. Democracy is the doorstep and doorway of development. The overwhelming majority of people in Ireland, both North and South, long for the paramilitaries to demolish destroy and obliterate their weapons. We again ask you, Loyalist and Republican paramilitaries, reject and delete the virus of violence and walk with us along the roads and pathways of peace.

We appeal to all who engage in civil disturbance. Determine that the summer of 2002 is the last summer of confrontation and destruction whether in Drumcree or Derry, North Belfast or East Belfast. There is another route. Shattered limbs, splintered bones, broken hearts, divided communities will not further anyone’s cause. So many of our present problems are a consequence of years of vile and unnecessary violence. We are reaping the fruits of violence, which make mutual trust infinitely more difficult to attain. Many of the present problems in the peace process can be traced back to past violence from both Republican and Loyalist sources. Violence does not pay. Violence destroys trust.

What kind of a country does God want? A country that feeds on the vitamins of vision, a country that respects political and tribal differences, a country that values the sacredness of life, a country that marries justice and peace, a country where right living and integrity are prized more than personal gain, a country where the common good is a priority. Such God-honouring values strengthen and enrich the life of any country. To achieve this we need significant cultural changes.

What kind of Culture does God want?

The culture of fraud, deceit and personal illegal profit is damaging to long-term social stability and national development. A culture of violence and greed impedes progress. Double standards and moral inconsistency damage relationships and destroy a culture of freedom and truthfulness. I remember some years ago visiting a country in another part of the world. I discovered in that culture that the accepted norm was...if you are in a position of power, influence and authority and you do not make the most of it, in terms of personal monetary gain, then you are considered a fool. Corruption was perceived by many as a virtue rather than a vice. This is not the kind of culture that God desires and Christians espouse. It is not a culture of openness and transparency, honesty and integrity.

In the Church we know only too well the pains of broken promises and moral lapses. We recognize such patterns in our own lives. Each Sunday, confession is an essential part of our corporate worship. Christian culture is a culture of a new start and that is one reason why I encourage all to avail of the opportunities afforded by the Power To Change Initiative. This all Ireland media campaign is worthy of our full support and prayers. What is more exciting and thrilling than the power of the risen Christ to change lives, situations and communities?

Our calling as Christians is to impact our culture and be agents of change in a changing culture. In the light of this and as an indication of our changing culture in Ireland I ask a simple question. How is it possible that Psychics can advertise without any problems on RTE and yet the Power To Change initiative, led by lay people from all of our mainstream churches, has encountered such difficulty in acquiring permission to broadcast? Pope Pius VI said, “The split between the Gospel and culture is without doubt the drama of our time” We are witnessing the striking truth of that statement in Ireland today.

On the last Saturday in September we had a superb Day Conference jointly sponsored by Bishop Leo, Roman Catholic Bishop of Kilmore, and myself. Over 200 people gathered to consider together the theme “Towards Changing a Culture, Young People and Alcohol Abuse.”

The large attendance of young people, parents, teachers, social workers, clergy and many others was an expression of the deep concern over the alarming effects of excessive alcohol drinking amongst young people today. According to recent research 30% of 15-year-old boys in Ireland intentionally are drunk at least 3 times a month.

Is this the kind of drinking practice we wish to be a mark of Irish culture in the 21st Century? 40% of all people in Ireland are consuming alcohol at levels, which are damaging to health. Almost one third of marriage breakdowns are directly attributable to alcohol related problems. What kind of culture does God want? Certainly not one, which is marked by drunkenness and anti-social behaviour. At present we are sowing the seeds of ever-escalating personal and community health, social, and financial problems in the future. Alternative experiences and expressions of enjoyment for our young people, not to mention a constant and genuine attempt to understand the roots of, and reasons for, this culture of teenage drunkenness, must be a priority if the culture is to be changed and lives saved. I say it again; we are called as Christians to impact and transform the culture we are a part of. The salt is to enrich the taste! We are called by Jesus to be the salt of the world…. community and society transformers.

What kind of Church does God want?

A Church where the individual is valued and difference is prized. The most frequent picture of the Church in the New Testament is that of a Body. St. Paul urges that we all play our part whichever part we are. Different gifts have been given and are to be used, not under-used over-used or abused. Diversity is built into creation. This is another expression of God’s amazing design and designs. An essential part of the work of the Commission on Ministry and undergirding the Summit on Ministry was the clear assumption that every baptized Christian is called to ministry, called to serve. I wish to thank most sincerely all who serve in this Diocese, Sunday by Sunday and during the week. Clergy, retired clergy, Diocesan Readers, Parish Readers, Vestry members, Secondary School, National School and Sunday school teachers, Diocesan office holders,

The greatest enjoyment of difference is to be discovered and found in the freedom of being in and doing God’s will. This principle holds true in every area of life, whether it is Christian ministry or Christian marriage. At a time when, across the world and in our Anglican Communion, there is increasing debate on matters relating to human sexuality it is good to remember that the official teaching of our Church is totally in line with Scriptural principles and centuries of Church tradition. God’s best is enjoyed in God’s will. Jesus said, “A man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”

We are called to be a welcoming church. We include, we listen, we empathize, we support, we value people regardless of their colour or gender, background or baggage. We also recognize that there is a distinction between welcoming and affirming. Christ welcomes us as fallen and failed people. He forgives and restores us as we turn to Him with heartfelt repentance. He does not and never can affirm our sin. However, as we are reminded every time we celebrate Holy Communion, He welcomes us as sinful people, repentant people, and people eager to make a fresh start.

Our tradition in The Church of Ireland is that we understand marriage as a union of male and female. The Church does not affirm authorize or bless any other, either before or outside of this covenant union. I recognize that for some this is an area of great sensitivity and profound pain. Genuine Christian people have genuine questions and personal struggles. They must never be underestimated, treated lightly or be dismissed. I trust that throughout the Church ongoing communication and dialogue will continue and that no one will feel unheard or unwanted.

For all of us the tension between grace and truth is one that we live with and see perfectly expressed in Christ. In His church we also desire to express grace and truth in our attitudes towards, and our relationships with, each other.

According to Jesus the love that Christians have for one another is to be on one of the ways that the world knows we are His. We are delighted that the Church of Ireland and the Methodist Church have signed a Covenant Agreement. In this Diocese we enjoy very good relationships with our Methodist friends and we look forward to deepening these relationships and doing more together in fellowship and mission.

A matter, which causes me great concern, is that we still have a number of parishes in our Diocese without a Rector. It is extremely difficult for members of a parish and can be demoralizing. It is distressing that we have children in some of parishes who do not know what it is like to have a Rector. I can assure the members of those parishes that we are doing all we can to fill the vacancies and build up the clergy team. In the past 12 months we have 2 new Rectors in Elphin and Ardagh.

We welcome David Catterall and his family to the Longford Group of parishes and we welcome Andrew Forster to the Drumcliffe area. We are also delighted that he is the new Archdeacon of Elphin and Ardagh. The Rev Janet Catterall is working part-time in the Edgeworthstown Group and already we notice a difference. In Kilmore we welcome Mark Watson as Rector of Killesher. Next January in Kilmore we will institute a new Rector in the Belturbet Group. Please pray that by this time next year we will have more new Rectors and fewer parish vacancies.

In February next year I plan to have a series of Bishop’s evenings throughout the Diocese. These will be held in Cavan, Longford, Sligo and in one of our Northern Ireland parishes. We will consider together the theme “What is the church?” and this will be followed by a short Lenten Course on the same theme. This will be an important time as we discover together more of what it means to be followers of Christ and members of the Body of Christ.

On behalf of the Diocese I offer heartiest congratulations to two of our longest serving clergy. In September Canon Pat Wood celebrated the 60th Anniversary of his ordination and in December Archdeacon Tommy Bond will do the same. To both of these men we say thank you for all you have given over 60 years in the ordained ministry and in this Diocese. We also welcome George Browne and Tanya Woods into the ordained ministry. Both were ordained in June in Kilmore Cathedral.

Finally, I say thank you to all who make this Diocese what it is. We have many challenges around us and before us. However as we live as citizens of the Republic or the United Kingdom, as we seek to impact and transform the culture we are a part of, as we learn what it means to be members of Christ’s Church we do so knowing that nothing will stop Christ building His Church and nothing can separate us from the God of hope in Whom true freedom is found. May His Holy Spirit fill and empower each one of us so that we will go out as His agents of grace truth and life in our culture and country.