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DIOCESE OF ARMAGH DIOCESAN SYNOD 1997 PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS
Address by The Most Reverend Dr Robin Eames, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland
Members of Synod,
I welcome you all and pray that Almighty God will bless and guide us as we meet to transact the work of this Synod. You have been elected and appointed by others to act in their name. Your responsibility is great for the stewardship and the good management of the affairs of the diocese is a token of our service to God and His Church. The responsibility is also the privilege. Committees and boards have presented reports and accounts of their work during the past year - and those reports are before us today. I pray that in the words of the ancient Collect God may give us a "right judgement in all things." I pay tribute to all in our diocese who give so freely of their time and expertise so that we may be informed of their work on our behalf.
A diocesan synod is not only the opportunity to review the business side of our life - it is also the occasion when we can take a look in some depth at the witness of the Church and the relationship of that witness to the community in which we live.
The current situation:
Since we last met as a diocesan synod the situation in Northern Ireland has changed remarkably. The announcement of a new ceasefire by the Provisional IRA, the commencement of political talks at Stormont about the future and the election of new governments in the United Kingdom and the Republic have produced new agendas for us all. What is commonly called 'the peace process' has moved into a new sphere. Yet no one living or working in this community can be unaware of the conflicting opinions or emotions of the present. At one moment hope and genuine expectation - at the very next apprehension and doubt. There should be no surprise at this paradox. It is no easy task to turn experience of the past into hope for the future. Experience in human terms is what makes people what they are. A past of fear and disappointment is bound to influence even the most optimistic observer. There are so many who genuinely want to look forward with hope but dare not allow themselves to do so wit h real confidence. Hope is a fragile emotion. But hope is essential if we are to gain the stable and peaceful society in which all can feel justice and equality.
As I reflect on my years as Primate in which I have experienced the suffering and heartache of people I am left with one firm conviction about life in Northern Ireland. Stability will not depend on entirely constitutional agreements alone, stability will not depend on political talks alone, stability will not depend on legislation alone - stability will ultimately depend on the attitude of people. Human reaction and attitude are the real determining factors for the future of Northern Ireland. Acceptance or rejection of change will depend on the attitude of confidence or the attitude of a lack of confidence of people at the grass roots. If that attitude is to be one of never-ending suspicion and mistrust nothing will be gained. The bitter experiences of the past must not be allowed to be a constant curse casting a shadow of doom on another generation. The lessons of that past are plain for all to see. I can easily identify with many of the misgivings of the present. But surely the time has come to prove that hope can embrace reality : that genuine expectation of a better future can be realised : that a real future of safety for all our traditions is possible. But we must be encouraged to really and honestly believe in that future. The question must not be 'when?' - but 'why not?'. The responsibilities of political representatives and governments has never been greater. But the responsibility of ordinary people to adopt attitudes which will permit peace to be given a chance are vital. It is in the hearts, minds and actions of people 'on the ground' that the ultimate decisions will be made. We owe it to elected representatives to give them space to do their work. But elected representatives owe it to the community to leave no stone unturned to find a way forward. The prospect of any return to the darkness is unthinkable. We must move forward. We must show that we want a way forward - we must adopt the attitude of a people determined to build a bett er future - we must grasp the attitudes which will make that happen under God.
Concerns about the Health Service:
I feel I must draw the attention of this Synod to the widespread and deep concern in the Diocese on questions of the provision of health services. I have received representations from clergy and laity who feel genuine apprehension as a result of recent developments.
Now we know that every political party in opposition makes promises and gives assurances on community health care. But recent decisions on the National Health Service are very disturbing. General practitioners have indicated that free delivery of health care at the point of need may be ending. Free health care has been the central pillar of the NHS. From a pastoral point of view I have to express serious concern at such a possibility on behalf of some of the most vulnerable members of the community. Those 'at risk' in our society, the elderly, the long-term infirm, the poor, single parent families and the unemployed, will be placed in extreme jeopardy. Doctors themselves have contacted me in the past few months to share that concern. Irrespective of the market forces which dictate such matters it is on the purely human level that I call for attention to be given to these dangers. If those in our parishes - particularly parishes in isolated country areas - are to be confronted with such hardship I believe that in the absence of positive steps to alleviate their situation our whole community will face a definite crisis in health care. We hear much talk of the caring and compassionate society. The possibility of an end to free medical care particularly in the cases I have mentioned seems strangely contrary to the concept of the caring community. The knock-on effect for the most vulnerable members of our community would be immense. The pastoral implications would be great.
The threatened closure of any hospital is a certain cause of community reaction. Few issues more quickly raise the temperature of protest. Where there are several hospitals serving a Diocese care must be taken to understand the myriad of arguments for and against plans to change the status of any one such hospital. I accept that the general public is not always as sensitive to such considerations as it should be. However in the light of proposal announced recently for one major hospital in our Diocese I feel I must draw attention to it for several reasons which have nothing to do with mere rationalisation of medical services.
I refer to the South Tyrone Hospital in Dungannon. According to those proposals the South Tyrone is due to close for all in-patient services leaving no accident, emergency or maternity units in the area. Examination is at present being made by three Boards of the hospitals in Omagh, Magherafelt and Dungannon. We have to conclude that all three hospitals are at long-term risk. If this is to happen a large rural area in the centre of our Province could be dependent on hospitals on its edges at Enniskillen, Craigavon, Londonderry, Belfast and Newry. As we will recognise there is no infrastructure in the heartland of rural Ulster to provide easy access to the edges. There are vast areas of hill country, isolated farms, small villages and small holdings which would face great threat if insensitive action is to be taken in the case of hospital services such as Dungannon. Any non-acute patient and people requiring treatment coming from the Dungannon area to the major hospital at Craig avon would have to make three changes on a bus journey. One can too easily recognise the hardship of such a journey for anyone requiring treatment on a long-term basis. I have to say that there is a human side to all these questions of hospital rationalisation and reform. In the end the hospital service exists for people. It is the voice of those people this Synod should hear. I cannot believe we would want to remain silent when matters of such primary concern are raised. On a practical point let us note that questions of health services unite a community. The local community at Dungannon has raised £600,000 for a scanner at the South Tyrone Hospital. If the plans to which I have referred are to be implemented what possible explanation can be offered to the community which has shown such support through voluntary contribution?
Members of the Synod, we are a caring Church. People and their needs are at the centre of Christian compassion. I cannot imagine a more urgent concern than these issues of healthcare in our diocese. I ask you all to learn the facts and to recognise what the effects of such moves will be for all the people of this area. Let the voice of this Synod be added to those who have already expressed such concern.
Call to the Ministry:
Recently you will have heard my Pastoral Letter on Ordination which was read in all our parishes. I want to speak about the current situation of our ordained ministry and underline my concerns about it.
Throughout the Church of Ireland and overseas sons and daughters of our diocese are serving as ordained clergy and commissioned lay workers for the Church. They testify to the spiritual nurture they received in parishes of this diocese where they first became conscious of God's call to ordination. Today we must face the sobering fact that the numbers of men and women expressing an interest in the full-time ministry is greatly reduced from previous years. The contrast is that the numbers coming forward for training for lay ministry has increased, but the supply of clergy within the last couple of years throughout the Church of Ireland has fallen far short of demand. Over 40 parishes in the Church of Ireland are at present without an incumbent. The intake to the Theological College in its current first year was eight students and therefore we cannot assume that the overall picture will improve in the immediate future. Those of you who sit with me on parochial Boards of Nomination will be all too familiar with aspects of this problem.
When we look back at the history of the Church we see quite clearly that there have been periods when large numbers have been ordained just as there have been periods when numbers fell. While theories abound there is a difficulty in offering real explanations for such fluctuation. I for one take the view that the Church must do all in its power to bring the call of Ministry to its people - but it must also reflect on what God may be saying to us through such circumstances.
Take our current situation for example.
Is it possible that we are not making the call to ordination as clearly as we should? Is there some sort of indifference abroad so far as the Ministry is concerned? Are we becoming a too comfortable Church or are we allowing the secular world to write too much of our agenda? Do people no longer feel there is a priority in the ordained Ministry, do they feel the emphasis is shifting to a new priority which underlines the lay rather than the full-time ordained ministry? Or is it simply that the call of God to individuals for stipendiary ministry is no longer heard as it once was?
Throughout my own ministry I have been greatly aware of the need for committed lay ministry - the work of readers either diocesan or parochial. As a Church we could not witness without our readers. I pay tribute to all our dedicated readers in this diocese and to those who train and support them. I pay tribute to our non-stipendiary clergy who are an example of the highest quality of Christian service. But in our tradition there can never be a substitute for the ordained full-time ministry.
Each priest in the Church of Ireland can reflect on how or why they sought ordination. Let me be entirely personal for a moment. I want to use my own experience to highlight what I believe to be two influences which are essential in the call to full-time service.
I was brought up and nurtured in a home in which the life of the Church was paramount. The influence of my late father on my life was total. But I was also led to the point of commitment by the guidance and pastoral care of clergy. In my case the influence of my rector the then incumbent of Knockbreda in Down Diocese, Canon Leslie Walker and the Church of Ireland Chaplain at Queen's, Canon Edgar Turner, were vital. I also came to ordination from another discipline which had nothing to do with Ministry.
Two elements : the influence of the home and the care of clergy.
I believe that in the homes of our diocese parents who are committed to the Church have a responsibility to see that their young people do not dismiss out of hand the possibilities of service in the Ministry. I do not expect them to dominate any discussion of that nature, but equally so they have a responsibility to remind their young people of the call of God.
Second, no one is better placed to guide a person towards ordination than a rector or a curate who recognises that God may be calling someone to full-time service. I believe it should be a priority for all clergy that in their parochial life they see it as a privilege and a duty to encourage suitable candidates to consider ordination. There is to my mind simply no substitute for the care and influence of a dedicated priest when someone is thinking through the implications of God's call.
There is of course another possibility in our present situation. Is it possible God is using the current trends to compel this Church to think of new patterns of ministry? Is there a new balance to be made between the ordained and the commissioned and authorised lay ministry?
It is my genuine feeling that the Church of the future will no longer be a Church of massive and dare I say submissive Sunday congregations. I believe more and more people will attend regular worship because of their total commitment to Christianity rather than through any family tradition alone. I believe that those who do attend regularly will more and more become those who by their lives and influence minister the word of God and the call of Christ to society. I am convinced that it is to that committed number the real task of Christian nurture and education in evangelism must be directed. They will be the ambassadors of Christ to the world. Christian education must therefore be the new priority for the Church. We must equip our dedicated members to spread the Gospel by their lives and example. That is the real meaning of evangelism. In a sense we must start talking about quality rather than quantity. The Church must learn to compete with the many other voices of the secul ar world. The voice of Christ must be heard from the example of lives as much as from the voice of the pulpit. It is to a deeper and more dedicated Church experience that I feel we must turn. Education, instruction, communication - those are now the key words. We must prioritise in ministry. But we need clergy to do so.
Decade of Evangelism:
One of the most encouraging events in the diocese this past year took place in our Cathedral on Monday 29 September when I launched the next stage of the Decade of Evangelism. An excellent attendance of clergy and laity, an atmosphere of hope and commitment and such genuine interest was obvious as we talked about our Year of Prayer. There was an atmosphere of confidence about all we did that night. Our plans for the closing years of the Decade of Evangelism are full of expectation for the witness of the Church in the new millennium. It is these hopes and expectations that will be the focus of our prayers this year. I hope that every parish will strengthen our work by their earnest prayers. The themes of the years to come speak for themselves - Commitment to Christ in Service, Outreach to the World, Celebration of God's Grace and Love. They are indeed mighty themes - their fulfilment is in the hands of all our clergy and faithful laity. Together under God we can make this a gr eat time to be in Armagh Diocese.
There was a sense of achievement in this Synod Hall that evening when I had the privilege of awarding 118 certificates to those who had completed our course in Christian Discipleship - The Way, The Truth, The Life. It is a certificate worthy of the two years of time, thought and prayer given by these men and women from all over our diocese. I also shared a most enjoyable day with those of them that were able to attend on the following Saturday in St John's, Newcastle. Their thoughtful concern for their Church was clearly evident in their response to the fellowship of that day. I am looking forward to further meetings with them in the new year. I hope now to add each year to those who have earned certificates and I appeal to every Rector to seek out those who would benefit from this diocesan exercise in Christian education and spiritual fellowship. I would particularly like to see more in their twenties and thirties becoming involved. The course is being organised once more in o ur Rural Deaneries. I would urge upon the Members of Synod the value of sharing in these courses and encouraging others to do so.
I have been greatly encouraged by the response to the book we prepared for this year with its practical title "Let us Pray". I am grateful to the authors for their willingness to give thought and effort to its important themes. It is a book for every concerned Churchman and woman. I hope that under God it will serve to enrich their life of prayer and to prepare all our parishes for the final exciting years of the Decade. The outline plan for those years will be sent soon to every home in the diocese. I believe them to be sound plans and I hope they will commend themselves to our people as such. It is however not plans but the involvement in the power of the Spirit of clergy and people that will bring blessing. It is only as we wholeheartedly work together that we can make real the expectation of these plans.
May I now address some words in this connection to our clergy. I am well aware of the burdens of parochial ministry in these days. Programmes stemming from outside the parish are sometimes an intrusion on what appear to be priorities. But all of us must realise that there are limits to what parochial resources can provide in the totality of Ministry. This is where my leadership comes in. The programmes we offer for renewal and for the deepening of the spiritual experience of our people have my full backing and support. I appeal to all our rectors to acquaint themselves of what is offered and then to actively encourage their laity to become involved in the programmes. I am if I may presume to say so, proud of the material we are making available in our diocese. I am grateful to Dr Neely and his team for all their work and I again ask for the fullest support and involvement of our people in these projects. May God grant us to be worthy of the love He has given us in Christ. Ma y He continue to bless our work of renewal and Christian education so that as a diocese we will be able to respond to His calling.
Mrs Amy Livingston:
The entire diocese was shocked and saddened by the sudden death in the summer of the Diocesan President of the Mothers' Union, Mrs Amy Livingston. The large and representative congregation from the diocese and throughout Ireland at her funeral service was itself a clear indication of the respect and affection in which she was held. Amy was formerly Chairperson of the Mothers' Union all-Ireland Overseas Committee and played an important role in the central work of the Mothers' Union in London. She had given so much of her time and interest to the parishes in which she had served with her husband, the Reverend Bertram Livingston and then as President of the Mothers' Union in Armagh diocese her leadership and dedication to the service of God and His Church became so obvious. On behalf of the Synod I pay this tribute to her and offer our sincere sympathy to her husband.
I know the Synod will be interested to learn that her successor as Diocesan President is Mrs Elizabeth McClure whose late husband Richard, was for many years one of our diocesan honorary secretaries. We wish Elizabeth every blessing and success as she undertakes her duties.
Girls' Friendly Society:
Mention of the work of the Mothers' Union reminds me of another organisation which is so well supported in this diocese - the Girls' Friendly Society, the G.F.S. It too has a new Diocesan President and I wish Miss Irene Walker every blessing as she commences her leadership.
Acknowledgements:
I want to express my personal appreciation to several people whose work can so easily be taken for granted by us all.
I acknowledge the work and support of the Archdeacon. He has had the unenviable task of organising clergy and readers to take services in a year of widespread vacancies.
I thank the Honorary Secretaries for their support and oversight of the work of the diocese and the organisation of this Synod.
I thank the Diocesan Office staff for their loyalty and work to the diocese throughout the year. Mr McConnell and Mrs Montgomery provide us with a service which combines faithfulness and cheerfulness.
I again thank my own Secretary Mrs Roberta Haffey who has helped me to carry a very heavy burden of work this past year with such encouragement, loyalty and approachability. I continue as do so many to be amazed at her resilience and kindness.
I thank the Church of Ireland Press Officer Mrs Gibson-Harries for all she does throughout the year as the media continues to take such an interest in Church life and yet finds time to attend diocesan synods.
But above all I thank the clergy and people of our diocese for their prayers and their support to me. As I have said to you before it is a very great privilege to occupy this position. May God guide us all as we begin the work of this synod and the work to which God has called us in the diocese this winter.
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