Diocesan News
Bishop of Cashel & Ossory's Diocesan Synod Address
The Con-joint Diocesan Synod of the United Dioceses of Cashel and Ossory took place in the Talbot Hotel, Carlow on Wednesday 15th October 2008.
The Bishop of Cashel & Ossory, the Rt Revd Michael Burrows, presided. The following is a summary of Bishop Burrows' presidential address.
The bishop felt that there were long-standing issues to which he should give some leadership. He spoke plainly about the procedural awkwardness of the admininstrative relationship between Ferns and the rest of the bishopric. Last year the former Archdeacon of Ferns advocated that members should meet as a united Synod. Largely as a result of that suggestion, the two diocesan councils have established a joint committee, charged with how the two sections of the bishopric could work more effectively together. A diocese by definition is a collection of local churches, united around the bishop who strengthens their unity and leads them forward. It is the diocese which is the essential context for all strategy concerning mission, outreach and parochial development. In a totally united bishopric, the Council should be a kind of cabinet surrounding the bishop with ideas and wisdom and the driving force of initiative. Many would accept that this needs to happen but are hampered through fear or sentiment. The bishop thinks, however, that time is now opportune, to trust one another and move on. He hopes that the councils are already feeling this way, and despite a sense of not knowing each other sufficiently well, are prepared to do so.
The bishop also laid out his views on the question of unions in relation to groups. On a local level, all grouped churches have their own parochial administration and all they have in common is the rector. A union has everything in common, one select vestry and one parochial administration. He also feels many clerics are hampered in their mission of the church by multi-adminstrations. Local assets are jealously guarded rather than shared; vestries often fall short of full complement and there is little communication between the parishes. In a union there would be one select vestry for the incumbent for ease of planning temporal and financial strategy for the facilitation of worship and mission under their cure. Burdens can be shared. A union will encourage collective responsibility as to where hard decisions might have to be made and not wait for such to be imposed on by a higher authority. The constitution of the Church of Ireland permits up to 20 members in addition to the wardens for up to seven years so the risk of losing place is actually rather low and also sub-committees and always be created.
The bishop did agree that not everywhere would benefit from a union, in particular where there is a cathedral which makes its own special demands but the majority of places, he firmly believes, would benefit from a union and in turn help the dioceses.
He also stated that in the area of giving, despite many subscribing sacrificially, that the understanding of Christian giving leaves something to be desired. Sustentation is viewed almost as a tax bill but the church in fact, asks for giving. The present system can be difficult for the financially weak and that the wealthy may have the impression that they can give less than they can actually afford.
The Bishop then outlined all the recent clerical changes and thanked all the officers of the United Diocese for the loyal and sterling work over the last year.
Nearly 40% of the chairpersons of school boards of management are lay people. Rectors are encouraged to make the choice as whether they take on the role themselves or delegate and concentrate on the pastoral side of their work in their schools. Bishop Burrows also emphasised the vital importance of sustaining the primary school capital building programme in situations of urgent growth and pressure.
Good stewardship of the environment by Christians was emphasised by the Bishop where not only are those in the immediate vicinity are affected by wasteful action but also those in poorer countries where global warming is having disastrous effect. To that end, and with the assistance of the Revd Elaine Murray and Ms Marianne Young of Ferns, the Bishop has taken a personal initiative with the Diocesan Green Charter produced (formally launched later at the Synod). Along with that a competition in environment awareness, including capital projects from use of church grounds to activities that motivate children. It is the hoped that this will produce an annual set of awards at Synod.
The bishop also emphasised his wish that church doors should remain open during the day. It is statement that says that prayer permeates light and it is also a symbol of showing a want to share with others, especially for those who don’t normally cross the threshold. A church locked up all week is the worst advertisement for Christianity.
After a fruitful diocesan link with Sweden, there is now a connection established with the Isle of Man.
Finally Bishop Burrows said it was not his role to be popular, he did not, as in the world of politics, have to defend his elected seat, and that he was prepared to make tough choices for the good of the dioceses and keep it all energetic and in good heart: as in Bunyan’s Pilgrim Progress, that is the next chapter.
For further information, please contact:
Mr Herbie Sharman, Diocesan Communications Officer on T. 086-2653191 or E. [email protected]