Diocesan News
Diocese of Connor to review links with the Diocese of Edinburgh
At this year?s Connor Synod on the 2nd June, members debated a motion put to the floor regarding the appropriateness of their diocesan relationship with Edinburgh.
Proposed by Revd R Mark McConnell (Ballynure & Ballyeaston) Motion 7 of the Synod requested the Diocesan Council to ?review the appropriateness of the link between the Diocese of Connor and the Diocese of Edinburgh in the light of the collegial statement made in response to the Windsor Report by the Bishops of the Scottish Episcopal Church.? It was further proposed that the findings of this review be tabled at next year?s Diocesan Synod.
The motion refers to the release by the College of Bishops of the Scottish Episcopal Church on 4th March 2005 which said: ?The Scottish Episcopal Church has never regarded the fact that someone was in a close relationship with a member of the same sex as in itself constituting a bar to the exercise of an ordained ministry. Indeed, the Windsor Report itself in suggesting that a moratorium be placed on such persons being consecrated Bishops; itself acknowledges the existence of many such relationships within the Church.?
Mr T Lynn Rodgers (Carrickfergus) seconded the motion, stressing the importance of rejecting division and retaining unity. Dr Ron Elsdon (Belfast) called the collegial statement ?belligerent.?
Ven Patrick Rooke (Agherton) spoke of the heart of the Hard Gospel which encourages us to celebrate difference and learn from others. Revd Grace Clunie urged members to reflect on the gospel of Christian love and reconciliation, saying that you shouldn?t break a fellowship just because you disagree.
Concluding the debate, Revd McConnell reminded Synod members that the motion was merely requesting a review and did not presuppose a specific conclusion. A vote was then taken and the motion was passed.