Press Releases21 Apr 05

Archbishop Eames welcomes delegates to CMS mission conference

The Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Rev Dr Robin Eames welcomed delegates from 14 countries to the Church Mission Society Ireland Conference in Armagh today. "Many people see the Anglican Communion facing a crisis but I see that a crisis means an opportunity. This is an opportunity to see that the Church is empowered to go out into the wider world." Canon Cecil Wilson, General Secretary of CMS Ireland, spoke warmly of Armagh as the centre of St Patrick's mission and an appropriate venue for this major missionary gathering.

This morning's speakers included the Rt Rev Ken Clarke, Bishop of Kilmore, who spoke on the need for mission to be empowered by conviction, compassion and courage and by people not afraid to pay the cost. He said, "Worship without mission is self-indulgent and mission without worship is self-defeating."

Bishop Jeremiah Taama from Kajiado (Kenya) spoke about mission being universal and being done by all and to all. Giving to mission needs to be generous. He also spoke of the need to address issues of trust and mistrust between churches in this part of the world and other areas. "I am because you are and because you are, I am; we cannot work in isolation."