Press Releases22 Oct 04

Establishment of a link between the Dioceses of Edinburgh and Connor

ESTABLISHMENT OF A COMPANIONSHIP LINK BETWEEN THE DIOCESE OF CONNOR AND THE DIOCESE OF EDINBURGH

Belfast Cathedral

Sunday, 24th October 2004 at 3.30P.M.

The Bishop of Connor, the Rt Revd Alan Harper and the Bishop of Edinburgh, the Rt Revd Brian Smith will be present with delegations from their two dioceses in St Anne?s Cathedral, Belfast on Sunday October 24th to celebrate the establishment of a formal Diocesan Companionship Link . The Agreement between the two dioceses will be signed at a Celebration of Choral Eucharist at 3.30pm at which the Bishop of Connor will preside and preach. On the Sunday following, 31 st October, a delegation from Connor will visit Edinburgh for the signing of the Agreement in St Mary?s Episcopal Cathedral.

The text of the Agreement between the Diocese of Connor and the Diocese of Edinburgh, member dioceses of the Anglican Communion of Churches reads as follows:

We see ourselves as pilgrims,

journeying together

as companions,

exploring the challenges of the Gospel.

OUR MISSION

is

to develop links of friendship and partnership

among

individuals and congregations

and between our two dioceses,

in ways which are

imaginative

sustainable

practical

effective

enriching

and fun.

OUR INTENTION

is

to empower our Christian witness through

listening to each other

learning from each other

supporting each other

challenging each other

and thereby

encouraging the development of mutual understanding

between the people

of Northern Ireland and Scotland

This partnership is for an initial period of five years

and is renewable by mutual agreement.

In response to our understanding of God?s call to us, we commit ourselves in prayer to the fulfilment of these intentions.

In addition to signature by the bishops the Agreement will also be signed by Mr Robert H Kay on behalf of the Diocese of Connor and by Mrs Anne F Pankhurst on behalf of the Diocese of Edinburgh.

The two dioceses consulted together over a two year period in preparation for the formal establishment of the partnership link. Both Diocesan Synods approved the Agreement. By sheer coincidence the formal signing of the Agreement takes place within a week of the publication of the Windsor Report which deals with the how to deal with division and disagreement within the Anglican Communion. The establishment of a formal link between dioceses of different churches, autonomous provinces of the worldwide Anglican Communion illustrates the other face of Anglicanism with those strong bonds of respect, friendship and mutuality in worship, ministry and mission that draw Anglicans together. It illustrates an instinct to learn from and grow with one another resulting in mutual enrichment. Already, from what has been shared in preparing for this partnership, both dioceses have been significantly enriched.