Press Releases27 Oct 05

Church role creates positive impact at local level

Churches are an essential part of society with the potential to stimulate positive development in local communities, claims a new booklet to be launched in Belfast by the Church of Ireland.

The booklet Go and Do Likewise: Impacting upon our local communities to be launched by the Bishop of Down and Dromore, Rt Reverend Harold Miller, identifies key areas of church participation in community development. Written by the Social Justice and Theology Group (Northern Ireland), it gives practical advice on issues such as public funding and community relations.

Canon David McClay, chairman of the Group said: ?In this booklet you will find real examples of people at the community level who were positively affected by the actions of their local Church of Ireland church. Every church needs to connect with the residents of their local community in ways that are relevant.?

In commending the booklet, Rt Reverend Michael Jackson, the Bishop of Clogher and Chairman of the Church in Society Committee, said: ?Many bemoan what they see as the retreat of the Church from civic life. It has always been the calling of the Church to further the Kingdom of God in this world. That calling is as strong today as ever before.?

Mr Ken Gibson, Lay-Honorary Secretary of Connor Diocese, who has extensive experience in community development, said: ?The churches have the potential to make a major contribution to enhancing community capacity and community relations via their mission, their human and physical resources and the purpose they have in society. In many places and many ways they are striving to fulfill this role. My hope is that this booklet helps motivate those engaging to do more and encourages those not doing so to take this responsibility to heart.?