Press Releases12 Oct 04

Dublin and Glendalough Diocesan Synod presidential address

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS

delivered by
The Most Rev. John Neill, Archbishop of Dublin and Bishop of Glendalough
to
The Synod of the Dioceses
on
Thursday 12th October2004
in
Taney Parish Hall, Dublin

The opening words of a book written some thirty years ago by Bishop David Sheppard set the theme of my presidential address to these Diocesan Synods - "The growth of large cities that separate human beings into large, definable groups is the most characteristic development problem of the whole modern world" (David Sheppard, Built as a City H&S, London [1973]). Issue could well be taken with the bald statement since a whole plethora of problems have engulfed the world in the intervening generation, but the fact remains that urbanisation presents a challenge right across the globe.

In this Republic we see the growth of urban centres accelerating year by year, and the proportion of the population now residing in or near this city is constantly increasing. Some point, with justification, to an urban/rural divide being intensified. Of course the drift is not all one way, there are now an increasing number seeking a quality of life that they feel that can only be found in a rural context.

Historically there have been difficulties for the Churches in the face of urbanisation. The role of the church in industrial and urban society is not so easily defined or expressed as in a rural hinterland. The marginalisation of the churches has in many cases been the product of a process reaching back to the industrial revolution of the nineteenth century.

The traditional language and imagery of worship, of hymnody, and even of Holy Scripture reflects much of a rural way of life. Yet Scripture reflects more than one side of this rural/urban divide - and the rural is not idolised at the expense of the urban. The rural is not only about rich pasture for flocks, it is about wilderness, isolation and alienation. The imagery of the City of God is about community renewed, about relationships, about people together. Indeed to refer only once more to David Sheppard's work on the urban church, the Christian response to urbanisation must be positive and yet as he says "We are to transcend the forces that dehumanise. We can make choices that affect our destiny and that of others. We are not to withdraw" (ibid p.25). And yet historically what we have done in many urban situations is to "withdraw". I have heard only too often that the heart of the Church of Ireland is in the rural areas, not even in the provincial and country town - and so we have psychologically withdrawn from the centres of population too often to the places where we are most comfortable - and we have failed in mission and outreach in the community through such a withdrawal.

(ISOLATION) Withdrawal of any section of the community enables the city to do its worst - that is to divide and to separate people into clearly definable groups. Canon Trevor Williams, the Rector of Holy Trinity and St.Silas in North Belfast spoke movingly some weeks ago of a particularly intense aspect of urbanisation where communities in that city are separated. He said, "Whether we like it or not, a peaceful future cannot be found by one community on its own. It can only be found by finding ways to meet with those with whom we differ." The political forces upon those in one area of Belfast may be quite different from the pressures within urban life in Dublin - but the fact remains that isolation and separation are key negative features to be challenged by the churches in all our cities.

(HOUSING) The attempts to provide both social housing and affordable housing within the context of housing developments are to be commended, but it is literally too little too late. Developers are still making millions from the demand for new houses - but the real needs of the whole community are not being met. The result is the continuation and indeed intensification of a process that separates people of different social, economic and occupational groupings one from another. The village communities that are being absorbed into new developments were mixed communities socially and economically, but now they are becoming increasingly monolithic. Urbanisation like that builds barriers, and lays the seeds of deep communal division and even strife.

Family structures are affected by these social changes too - very few people can now afford to live close to where they were brought up. For some this may present no difficulty, but the element of choice is clearly removed for many who need the support of the extended family.

(INNER CITY COMMUNITIES) Today I want to direct your thoughts to the inner city itself - a place from which whole communities were removed and rehoused in the second part of the last century. The conditions in which many lived in those inner city communities some thirty or forty years ago were often deplorable, but sadly before the policy of developing the inner city got off the ground thousands had gone. The inner city parishes declined at an alarming rate. We have closed more of the inner city churches than those in other areas, and we are not alone in this. The Church of Ireland community has become largely suburban and of course rural. Suburban churches are very important because they are based in the local community though many of them lament the fact that they often serve a community that is not really very diverse for the very reasons in relation to housing policy of which I have spoken. The "ghetto-isation" of neighbourhoods is reflected in many parishes as well.

But while suburbia becomes a community in itself, changes are taking place in the city that the church in the diocese simply cannot ignore.

(IMMIGRANTS) The first significant change is the large immigrant population coming into our dioceses. This accounts for some of the substantial increase in the membership of the Church of Ireland in the diocese. I would emphasize that this is reflected in many parishes, in areas as different as Tallaght and Castleknock, and our parishes have been enriched by Christians from overseas. We are however aware as a diocese that we are going to have to take some substantial initiatives if we are really to serve the immigrant population in this city.

However there are many from overseas in the inner city, and some of the city churches have been deeply involved in this ministry. The DISCOVERY programme based in the Parish Church of St.George and St.Thomas in Cathal Brugha Street may be a small beginning, but it certainly raised the awareness of many in the suburban parishes to the challenge faced by the city parishes.

(WEEKDAY LIVES) Another change and challenge facing the city churches is that there are larger numbers of people whose lives are centred on the city, even if it is not the place in which they sleep at night. There is a weekday ministry, particularly at lunchtime or perhaps in the early evening that could be offered, and yet how this can be done often eludes us.

(DOCKLAND DEVELOPMENT) A whole new city is springing up now in the docklands, and the geographical parishes to which the area would relate is Irishtown, North Strand or St.George and St.Thomas. But there is no parish community down where all the development is taking place - The Financial Service Centre and Spencer Dock. We have had a few informal meetings to address this, but so far we have not been in a position to make a significant move. I am glad that we will be hearing more of this during this Synod. What we are talking about here is two things - a daytime community, and a resident community, which by its very nature is partly transient and frequently international.

(PEOPLE ADRIFT) But there is another development taking place in Dublin too. As the city grows, as it becomes more international, and less of a community within itself, there is an increasing number of people who are very much adrift who seem to be drawn into the city. At the present time CORE in Thomas Street is closely involved with tackling issues of addiction, and providing some support to those who are HIV positive and to their families.

There are in fact few lonelier places than a big city. There are people walking the streets of the city and living in all sorts of very poor temporary accommodation whose lives have simply unravelled. Thousands of young people throng the city centre at night and especially at weekends, and somehow it all seems so far removed from all our churches.

(THE CATHEDRAL) Christ Church Cathedral is a responsibility for us all in the diocese as it belongs to us all. Perhaps in our minds, we imagine that its ministry is limited to fine music and liturgy and great diocesan occasions. Of course these are important parts of its ministry, but it also attracts not only visitors to whom it seeks to provide a weekday ministry, but also a substantial Sunday congregation, both from people overnighting in the hotels, and from the student and younger community from many lands. Both Cathedrals have vital opportunities for ministry. I know Dean Harman is very anxious to feel that all who work in the cathedral have the support of the people in the parishes of the dioceses and that the ministry and mission of the cathedral is 'owned' by the whole diocese'

(INNER CITY CHURCHES) Yet these same city parishes are facing particular problems. On one hand they have suffered severely from the drift to the suburbs, both through rehousing and the tendency for people at a certain stage in life if they are able to move a little further out from the city. The provision of attractive all-age worship may be common in our suburban churches; it is virtually impossible in many of our city churches.

Early in the spring, we sent a group of people from some of the inner-city parishes to look at imaginative developments in urban ministry in London and Cardiff. What I heard from them was that many of the ideas for imaginative ministry, particularly weekday ministry, required the commitment of a number of people sharing a vision. Significantly they also emphasized that real change in the focus of ministry in a particular church could be painful, particularly if those with memories of days past were simply determined to keep things ticking over for the small group of survivors.

The message that I am attempting to share with you is that in this diocese we have tremendous opportunities for ministry and outreach, and the fact is that most of our people live in the suburbs and most of the challenge is in the city centre where there are few parishioners. I think a courageous lead was given by the establishment of Three-Rock, our youth initiative, in that we placed it in the city and not shall we say in this area where there are so many of our young people actually living.

(A CHALLENGE TO SUBURBIA) What we now need to attempt as a diocese - and at this stage I am offering the challenge rather than the blueprint - is to discover a way in which the church in the suburban parishes can together with the small inner city parishes begin to reclaim the city as a place of mission, of outreach and of Christian service. I would like a real conversation to go on in all the p arishes as to how perhaps links could be established with city churches, weekday work in those churches facilitated, family services perhaps offered once a month. In some places in Britain and America there is much talk of Church-plants. That is where a vibrant church in one area establishes a daughter congregation in another area where there is scope for growth, for evangelism and for service in the community - in other words where this is not happening. It often leads to good things; it also frequently damages the witness of the local church and causes division. Within this diocese, surely there is a way that can recognise that this is something to be tackled in partnership rather than in planting, that our suburban churches have resources and numbers, our city churches have facilities, an established place in the city, and a small band of faithful people - but working together they could make a real contribution to the life of the city.

I am quite certain that the benefit for some of our suburban parishes which often tell me that they feel quite comfortable if they were to be given an opportunity to really engage with a new challenge. A diocese is a family - and sometimes the family has to rally around one member and bring them through a particular time of joy or sorrow, of opportunity or development. I suggest that this diocesan family needs to take very seriously the ministry of the Church in the city of Dublin.

OTHER ISSUES

(ANGLICAN COMMUNION) Having focussed on the particular needs of the city, I wish for a few moments to turn your attention to some other issues on the minds of many in the Church and beyond. Next week the Anglican Communion will receive the Report of the Commission set up under the chairmanship of the Archbishop of Armagh which has been set the task of finding a way forward from the divisions that emerged following the consecration of a bishop in New Hampshire who lives with a partner of the same gender. I hope that this report will receive careful study for what it will tell us about the way in which Christians relate to one another, and especially when we differ on what are very important issues. I hope that we will avoid instant reactions and allow a serious study to take place of these issues.

(HOMOSEXUALITY) Of course underlying the issue of division is the issue of human sexuality itself and especially attitudes towards homosexuality. Some have imagined that the House of Bishops in their pastoral letter last year was attempting to prevent discussion of these issues. What we actually pleaded was that the issue was not best addressed in large assemblies such as a Synod where firstly some might not feel free or safe to present their own position, and also where immense harm could be done in debate through either damning some people as homophobic or describing others as deviants. Meetings that pass resolutions are not the appropriate place for the discernment of deeply personal issues. I want to see people ready to discuss these issues at a local level, to study scripture, but also to learn more about scripture and its interpretation, and to listen to the experience of people who are homosexual as well as to those who are heterosexual. The forthcoming report from the Lambeth Commission did not have its mandate the discussion of these issues, but hopefully it will point to the manner in which we may listen attentively to one another on this and many other issues.

(P.A.C.T.) I want at this point to draw to the attention of members of the Diocesan Synods two areas of responsibility that should concern us all. The first is the quiet but vital work being undertaken by PACT, the with its concern for Adoption, Single Parent Counselling, crisis pregnancy, and counselling for those seeking to meet with their birth parents. PACT is closely related to the Protestant Churches, the community from which it sprung, though obviously working as well in the wider community. I would feel that it is the duty of the parishes to do all that they can to support this service that is not only addressing a real need, but also doing so with the very highest standards of expertise and sensitivity.

(SAFEGUARDING TRUST) The other area is the policy of Safeguarding Trust. This is now well established in the Church of Ireland, and each parish has to sign up to it every year. However it is vital that we keep up to date at all times, that the handbook in its latest edition is read, and that none of its provisions is taken for granted. We owe it to our children to observe the very highest standards in protecting them, and anything less than such standards will betray our God-given trust.

(SPECIAL NEEDS PUPILS) The third and last matter that I want to raise this evening is addressed not to ourselves, but to those who hold public office and to the Minister for Education and Science, Mary Hanafin, in particular. But first may I say that we welcome Minister Hanafin in her new office, congratulate her on her appointment, and I am sure that what I now say will not fall on deaf ears.

But now to the issue itself - The provision of services for those with Special needs in our Primary and Secondary Schools is inadequate to the point of becoming a national disgrace. Mainstreams schools are committed to being inclusive by welcoming pupils who have special educational needs, - those with physical disabilities, learning or behavioural difficulties. In the past such children would have gone to special schools with small classes and specialist teachers but with limited opportunity to take part in the life of the community. A previous generation thought that for instance the deaf belonged in asylums and such were at least provided. Now quite rightly, we believe that those with special needs do not require a place of safety away from the community, but require proper support in the midst of the community. The fact of the matter is that the proper support required is woefully inadequate and the inadequacy of support starts with the inadequate staffing of the Special Education Section in the Department itself where overburdened staff do not have time for telephone queries.

This has a hugely detrimental effect on children, particularly those who have to move to a new situation and it can take years for the resources to match the need. A child in a pre school who is allocated one to one support by a special needs assistant and on moving to the infant class in an a National School has the allocation arbitrarily cut. A child in a wheelchair needing constant support moves from the infant room to 1st class with a longer day but the hours of support are not extended.

Morale in at both primary and second- level is affected not least at second-level as when the child transfers, assessment starts from scratch.

In some smaller schools there are often significant numbers of pupils with special needs as such schools may appear able to provide greater care, but these are the very schools that do not qualify for the needed resources as much of the allocation is weighted to pupil numbers rather than actual need.

We cannot claim to be a caring society, or even an economically successful society, unless we are prepared to address very seriously the provision of proper support for children with special needs. The lack of this support at a vital time in the lives of these young people is not only now having a devastating effect on them and on their families, but is allowing them to grow into adulthood without the skills and gifts of which they are fully capable. I hope the Minister will help the schools of our nation to be not only welcome but to give a real equality to these who are all our children

PERSONNEL

I turn now to some issues of personnel in the United Dioceses. (OBITUARY) We record the death of Archdeacon Brian Snow, Assistant Chaplain of St.John's House of Rest and Glenindare, Archdeacon Desmond Patten, formerly Chaplain of the Mageogh Home, Canon Jerram Burrowes formerly of Christ Church Cathedral and St.Patrick's Cathedral, all three after long and faithful ministries in different parts of Ireland. The Revd Sam Allen, one-time curate of Bray died last week some twenty years after his retirement as rector of Carbury in Kildare. The whole diocese and beyond was shocked by the tragic death in a motor accident of the Revd Francois Murenzi, Rector of Athy after under three years service among us. May they rest in peace to rise in glory.

We have had a large number of other changes among the clergy: (RETIREMENTS) Dean John Paterson retired as Dean of Christ Church early this year after a ministry that served not only the Cathedral and Diocese, but also the whole Church in Ireland. His special liturgical, devotional and teaching skills were of benefit to so many. Few people have had such a positive influence on the worship of the Church of Ireland in a very formative period. We welcome Dean Desmond Harman as his successor.

Dr.Valerie Jones retired from her post as Diocesan Communications Officer. She made an immense contribution to the life of the diocese. We welcome Mr.Gareth Casey as her successor.

A significant lay retirement during the year was the Lay Hon Secretary of the Diocesan Council for Dublin, Canon Garry Walker. His dedication and work for the diocese has been immense and continues to be in other areas. He is succeeded by Mr. David Caird.

(DEPARTURES) Four clergy left the service of the diocese or are just about to leave and we wish them well - The Revd Arthur Barrett, The Revd Craig MacCauley, The Revd Willie Stewart and the Revd Maria Widemark.

(APPOINTMENTS) The Revd Canon Ken Kearon is shortly to become Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, though remaining a Canon of Christ Church and a licensed priest of the diocese. I mention this because this is such a significant appointment. We congratulate Canon Kearon, and say that we are very proud that one of our clergy should be appointed such a significant post for the worldwide church.

(FORTHCOMING RETIREMENTS) Canon Cecil Hyland has announced his retirement as Rector of Howth. He has had a long and faithful ministry covering parishes, university chaplaincy and youth work. In retirement he has agreed to become my chaplain for retired clergy and their spouses. Some retired clergy are fully immersed in parishes and in local fellowship, some feel rather adrift and find it hard to relate again to a parish. Canon Hyland will seek to minister in this sphere.

The Revd Gordon Fyles retires from Crinken this month. Gordon has developed the ministry of that growing congregation in his year in the diocese.

The final retirement is one of both parochial and diocesan significance - and that is of course that at the end of this month of the Archdeacon of Dublin, Gordon Linney. When one mentions Gordon one thinks of a parish priest, but also one deeply involved in social issues, educational issues, health issues, diocesan and central church administration, mediation and so the list could go on. Gordon has been a very good friend and confidante to me since I came back to this diocese, and he has also been a most loyal and wise archdeacon. On your behalf, and on my own, I want to thank Gordon for what he has given this diocese and the service he has given as Archdeacon, Rector and as frequent spokesperson for the Church. We welcome Canon David Pierpoint to be the new Archdeacon of Dublin. I hope we will see you all in the Cathedral on Sunday 14th November when we will say "Thank you" to Gordon and install David as the new Archdeacon.

(NEW APPOINTMENTS) Since the last Synod we welcomed the Revd Mark Wilson as Chaplain to the Adelaide and Meath and National Children's Hospital, the Revd Kesh Govan as Rector of Blessington, and the Revd Cliff Jeffers as Rector of Athy.

The Revd Ian Cruickshank and the Revd Norma McMaster were ordained as Deacons, and the Revd Aisling Shine, the Revd Tim Irvine, the Revd John Tanner and the Revd Joyce Rankin were ordained to the Priesthood.

Shortly The Revd Michael Thompson will be instituted to St.Bartholomew's and Lesson Park, The Revd Sonia Gyles to Sandford and Milltown and the Revd Gilliam Wharton to Booterstown and Mount Merrion. Michael Thompson is the only newcomer among these last three and we welcome him among us.

THANKS

I end by mentioning a few people to whom I am especially grateful. I think of the two Archdeacons and the Dean of Christ Church together more recently with Canon Pierpoint, who have joined with me for prayer and discussion each month to support my episcopal ministry of oversight in the diocese. I think of our efficient Diocesan Secretary, Keith Dungan, and his assistant Mary Linton, Valerie Jones until her retirement as DCO, and Canon Victor Stacey, Diocesan and Provincial Registrar. I pay tribute to the many members of committees who work on behalf of us all. I think of the clergy whose ministry it is a privilege to encourage and serve. My own secretary, Helen O'Neill, continues to be an invaluable support to me, not least with her immense fund of knowledge and good humour. To be Archbishop of Dublin is sometimes said to be a very demanding task, it is that, but I assure you that it is a very enjoyable one. I thank God for the strength that he has given me for the task, and I thank Betty, my wife for her constant support, understanding and encouragement towards me as we seek together to serve the Church in the diocese. May God bless you each, your parishes and the mission to which he has called us all together.