Diocesan News29 Sep 15

Tuam, Killala & Achonry Diocesan Synod 2015

The Annual Diocesan Synod of Tuam, Killala and Achonry (TKA) was held on Saturday 27th September 2015 in Saint Mary’s Cathedral, Tuam.

After registration in the Synod Hall, Synod began with a celebration of the Holy Communion. Bishop Rooke presided and was assisted by the Dean and members of the Chapter. Mrs Frankie Hill read the epistle and Ms Rachel Pike played the organ.

The meeting was opened with prayer and scripture readings by the Archdeacons, Ven. Gary Hastings and Ven. Alan Synnott.

Bishop Rooke appointed Prof. Paul Ryan as his Assessor and then gave the Presidential Address.  Bishop Patrick Rooke began his address by referring to the current International Refugee Crisis. He spoke of the responsibility of all people, not least the Churches, towards ‘re–doubling our efforts to offer support and practical assistance.’

He commended the Irish Government’s increased commitment to take in refugees but added a cautionary note: ‘I welcome this increase but fear how it will be managed and where the on–going support will come from – at present the necessary budget and facilities don’t appear to be in place.’

The Bishop then turned to matters diocesan. He thanked all those who had contributed to the life of TKA in the past year in their various roles, mentioning those members of the clergy who had moved on to pastures new and remembering those of the diocesan family who had died since Synod last met.

Bishop Rooke then challenged the diocese in speaking about youth matters. He said: ‘I have confirmed almost 150 young people in my four years as your Bishop. But where are they on a Sunday morning?’ He went on: ‘We cannot properly be the body of Christ without our young people.’

Climate change is a matter which Bishop Rooke feels that TKA should be proactively concerned about: ‘I intend therefore to set up a group to look at this whole area and to present us with a Diocesan Charter for honouring creation.’

Addressing the outcome of the Marriage Reform Referendum in the Republic of Ireland in May, Bishop Rooke said, ‘Some members of this Synod will be sorry to see this change and their point of view must be respected.’

The Bishop reflected on the upcoming 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising: ‘We rejoice that the Ireland of today is a democratic state where all its citizens are respected and treated with dignity.’ But he reminded Synod that Ireland is not without its problems ‘with 90,000 people in the Republic on housing waiting lists; 5,000 children are currently living in temporary emergency accommodation.’

Bishop Rooke then turned to the new social justice initiative which has been set up in Ballina in partnership with the other three main denominations there and the Church Army. ‘This is “faith in action” and Ballina Churches Together has committed itself to working with the voluntary and public organisations already in existence.’ He went on to say, ‘We in the Church of Ireland are beginning to make tentative steps to come out of our “maintenance only” trenches and embrace the kind of mission our Lord himself taught and embodied.’

TKA’s three–year project in partnership with Kajiado Diocese in Kenya came to an end at Synod 2015. Bishop Rooke commended the diocese for its contribution and informed the house that we would be examining possibilities for a new project. A small Overseas Mission Group will be set up under the leadership of Revd. Stephen McWhirter to examine a suitable partnership.

The Bishop then spoke at length about the Commission on Episcopal Ministry and Structures and how this might impact TKA.

To help our thinking, Synod broke at this point for a discussion based on a questionnaire previously circulated. The responses to the questionnaire will be collated and presented to Diocesan Council at their meeting on 20th October when representatives of the Commission will be on hand to speak to Council.

A most excellent two course sit–down lunch was served in the Synod Hall. After lunch, Ms Kate Williams from the RB addressed the synod on the subject of the thinking behind and draft content of the Dignity in Church Life project.

The meeting then proceeded to the annual essential business of Synod. Reports were variously presented and spoken to on the subjects of Diocesan Council, Finance, Glebes, Board of Education, Board of Mission, and Youth.

The only elections on the day were those to Lay Membership of the Representative Body (Prof. Paul Johnston) and Clerical and Lay membership of the Church of Ireland Board of Education (Republic of Ireland) (Canon Doris Clements and Prof. Paul Johnston).

As the meeting closed, Bishop Rooke thanked the Dean and the parishioners of Saint Mary’s Cathedral for all their work in facilitating Diocesan Synod 2015.