CHURCH OF IRELAND DIOCESAN SYNOD – CASHEL, OSSORY AND FERNS

Thursday 18th October 2007.

The annual con-joint Diocesan Synod for this United Diocese took place in the Ferrycarrig Hotel, Wexford and was conducted for the first time by the Rt Revd Michael Burrows. The practice in recent years has been for the institutionally separate synods of Cashel/Ossory and Ferns to meet together in one place and for members of each synod to be attentive to the parallel business of the other.

The proceedings commenced with a truly celebratory Eucharist – attended by the full body of synod members - into which the Bishop integrated his presidential address as his sermon. As it was St Luke’s Day his words were essentially a reflection on the "beloved physician". He spoke of the routine business of the synod as being rather like good preventative medicine – making sure that crises were anticipated before they occurred. He reflected on where healing oil occasionally needed to be applied especially in situations of conflict and misunderstanding, and alluded to the role of the provincial mediation panel. He observed that Luke does not seem to have had a biblical role as a surgeon, but that surgery in relation to a somewhat ‘obese’ diocesan structure might not for ever be avoided. The bishop suggested that ideally Synod should be a dynamic thinktank of ideas reported and shared, laying the occasional golden egg of a visionary idea which could be patiently hatched in the parishes. All such suggestions and thoughts should be properly reported back to parishes like the follow through in tennis, the most important part of the act. As St Luke’s Gospel is followed up by Acts with the Ascension and its aftermath, the finish and sequel is the true glory. The bishop quoted the prayer of Francis Drake about continuing great matters until they be thoroughly finished and concluded by encapsulating his reflections on Luke with a sonnet of his own!

With the Holy Bible and Book of Common Prayer laid on the table the business of the meeting took place with the various reports proposed, seconded, debated and passed.

Bishop Michael Burrows also welcomed guests from other denominations including Fr Aidan Jones representing Bishop Brennan of Ferns, the Reverend Ken Wilson of the Methodist Church, Ms Aleese McElveen of the Society of Friends and the Cathaoirleach of the Wexford Co. Council Cllr. Denis Kennedy, all of whom welcomed the Synod to Wexford and gave greetings from their own churches and areas.

Mr Charles Galloway was nominated as Assessor and the President, Bishop Burrows was also assisted by the Archdeacons, the Ven. John Murray (Cashel & Ossory) and the Ven. Dermot Dunne (Ferns) along with the Diocesan Secretaries Ms Georgina Rothwell (Ferns) and Ms Denise Hughes (Cashel & Ossory) and Mr Leslie Moynan Accountant.

The Ven Paul Mooney sent greetings to Synod from Korea and his work continues to be supported especially through the Boards of Mission.

As the reports were proposed there was the usual variety of debate which included the subjects of education and youth with a fervent plea to appoint a diocesan youth officer once more but which was proving difficult in terms of finding a suitably qualified candidate. Synod acknowledged the initiative of the Bishop is having visited every national school in his first year of office and commended the work of the Revd Isobel Jackson as Children’s Officer. It was so vital to nurture and integrate the younger members of the church as society moves further and further away from traditional denominational paths. The bishop’s medals for Religious Studies were considered and emphasis was laid on a new senior medal offered through an essay competition.

Acknowledgement was made of various retirements and changes in clerical appointments and to the renewed vigour of the work of the rural deans keeping an eye on the buildings and property of the parishes.

A suggestion was mooted that the con-joint approach to the holding of the Cashel and Ossory / Ferns Synods, which was now in its third experimental year, should be permanently built upon with a move towards ONE complete united Diocese. The area could be divided for the purposes of triennial meetings into three with Ferns one third, Leighlin one third and the rest one third!

There was passionate discussion surrounding the state and use of the Deighton Hall in Carlow but members of Synod were assured that it was in good hands and it was hoped that full ownership and necessary restoration would shortly be actively handled by Carlow parishes.

The Bishop urged members to bring back a suggestion that  parochial nominators should have a gender balance - while not at present mandatory this could become so in the future.

There was commendation for the Bishop’s initiative and success for the Railway Children fund-raiser for street children It was reported that the next major project for the Bishops’ Appeal next Lent would for AIDS; "that the Body of Christ has AIDS" – it is not just the victims that are affected but whole families and communities. The Bishops’ Appeal is at the heart of the Gospel: people in our worshipping communities expressing sacrificial and costly love in no expectation of return. The Government was being encouraged to devote to World Development O .7 % of GNP which should also be at least equalled by the same percentage from each individual's disposable income.

The status of the ethos of Church of Ireland education was also referred to and that it should not be diluted due to the government not doing enough on an "educate together" basis, neither should the Church of Ireland turn its back on individual children who cannot find a school to attend. It should not make it easy for the State. Those who serve on Boards of Education were applauded as the unsung heroes of a labour of love and all they work they do – an army of over 225 in the Diocese.

There was also a remarkably lively discussion on music in the church and its importance and certain difficulties encountered with the technical side of recorded music. There was however much to be thankful for with school choirs, teachers and also the Ferns Diocesan Choir. Churches might also be prepared for some innovations following some musical workshop activity at the recent clerical conference – Ms Alison Cadden had enthused the clergy concerning new approaches to singing the Psalms

Other matters included the report on the conclusion of the Link project with Lund in Sweden and which it was hoped to establish another link with another country fairly soon. The Diocesan Magazine was commended for its consistently high standard and efficiency of production.

The Bishop concluded the business of the evening on schedule urging members to return to base bringing with them their golden eggs of information and ideas to be distributed among the parishes for patient tending and eventual lively hatching.