Preface
Beloved in Christ,
It is a privilege for me to welcome you the members of diocesan synod, with our ecumenical guests, members of the press and visitors, to the diocesan synod of 2003. I am deeply conscious of the honour and responsibility placed upon me by the call and election of the church to serve this wonderful united dioceses as your bishop. On recent occasions I have had good reason to express my sense of awe and inadequacy in the light of this call.

As I stand before you this morning as president of diocesan synod for the first time, I am once again reminded of such emotions. However, ‘by the grace of god I am what I am’, and I do indeed trust that ‘his grace towards me was not in vain’ (1 cor 15 : 10). I have been enormously encouraged by the support and warmth of welcome shown to me and indeed my wife Anne and family, since my consecration and ordination 9 months ago last January.

The booklet of my enthronement sermons which I trust each of you possesses is no ‘sweetener’! Rather it is a sincere token of my appreciation to each of you for such prayerful support.

Personal thanks
I wish to thank my wife Anne, and children Clare, Alec and Patrick for all their love and understanding over the recent past, which has been as demanding and exciting a period in their lives, as it has been in mine. I wish also to express my appreciation of the courageous and pastoral ministry of my predecessor in this see, archbishop John Neill, and for his continued personal interest and advice at this time of metamorphosis in my life. We continue to wish him and Mrs. Betty Neill well in the archbishop’s demanding ministry as leader of the church of Ireland in the southern province.

In the period between the archbishop’s departure and the arrival of the new bishop, the care of the churches in this see was in the very capable hands of the archbishop’s commissaries, archdeacon john Murray and archdeacon Paul money. To them must go the thanks of us all for such careful stewardship at a delicate time. On a personal level, I wish to thank both, with their wives, for their welcome to the Barrett family, and for their wise advice to me over the past months. Collectively and personally, john and Paul, we are in your debt.

I wish to thank also our deans and precentors, organists and choirs, and all associated with pre and post enthronement matters associated with the six services marking my arrival in the dioceses of the see. Thank you one and all. I thank too our diocesan registrar, canon Gordon Wynne and my domestic chaplain, the Rev’d George Cliffe, for all their attentiveness on these and other diocesan occasions.

In the same breath as speaking of my registrar, I mention also my assessor and diocesan chancellor, Mr. Charles Galloway. He is usually only visible to most of us on a day such as this. But to me he is available 24/7 as it were. Thank you Charles for your availability; and all is offered in an honorary capacity.

One of the many requirements of a contemporary bishop is the ability to cope with communications. I would be swamped without Mrs. Denise Hughes and Mrs. Joan deacon, our respective and much appreciated diocesan secretaries. Their assistance and availability, alongside the stewardship of Mr. Lesley Moynan in matters financial, is something for which we all should give resounding thanks.

Denise also doubles up as our diocesan information officer, and to her and the fellow members of our magazine committee under acting editor Herbie Sharman, go our warmest congratulations on revitalizing this important monthly, and for winning the ’church of Ireland diocesan magazine of 2002 award’. Cyber space is not without our presence either, and we are very appreciative of the work of the Rev’d Philip Heak in arranging our diocesan web site so efficiently, and with imagination.

It is a very pleasant task to thank our diocesan councils, their honorary secretaries and treasurers, members of their boards and committees, for their attendance, attention and activity last year . Thank you one and all. Some of their number also represent us at central church level. I am sure that you would wish me to express our appreciation of the dedication and contribution of the O’morchoe, who has recently retired from the representative body as our inter diocesan representative. David, thank you for your sense of duty, and for your willingness to still serve at the diocesan level.

If there is a phrase which captures my approach to my Episcopal ministry, it is this one from the heart and mind of that great 4th century bishop of hippo in north Africa, saint Augustine : ‘for you, I am a bishop; with you, I am a Christian’ - ‘for you, I am a bishop; with you, I am a Christian’ .

This has a particular resonance for me in my dealings with our clergy and their families, along with our readers, diocesan and parochial. To my clergy, serving and retired, and I emphasize ‘serving and retired’ in the one breath, I say you are a great team ‘to bishop and to captain’. Thank you so much for all that you do for and with your people, and in companionship one with another. Thank you for your sense of duty and loyalty to me personally, and to the essential office of bishop. Also three cheers for your sense of humour ! Most of you stand not alone. Your spouses and children bear the brunt of our often unsociable hours, and yet are the bedrock of our daily ‘being in Christ’, as we are nourished by their constructive criticism and sustained by their appreciation of our joyful vocation. To each and every rectory home I say ‘bless you’.

Since last synod we have warmly welcomed into the clerical family of the see, the Rev’d jenny Crowley and Lynne Rogers following their ordinations as deacon to serve in the auxiliary ministry in the Waterford and ferns groups respectively. The Rev’d Hilary Dungan and Roy Byrne have arrived as incumbents of Maryborough and Killeshin respectively. The Rev’d Stella Durand has become incumbent of kiltegan group, and the Rev’d Michael Johnston has moved from the city of Kilkenny to the seaside of tram ore to become vicar in the Waterford group, joining its newly arrived dean, the very Rev’d Trevor Lester.

How good it is to have the most Rev’d and Mrs. Walton Empey amongst us , and how fortunate is the Tullow group (does it not just know it !). He has joined his and our Episcopal friend, bishop noel Willoughby and Mrs. Valerie Willoughby, and the ‘craic’ must be mighty when they share notes on the junior bishop in their midst ! We congratulate also the Rev’d Barbara fry day, denies sandes, roger harmsworth and the very Revd Trevor Lester on their appointments to the relevant canonries in Ossory and ferns.

Retirement beckoned, and beckons for others. The Rev’d Ron graham and his wife Valerie have more free time now, but we sincerely thank Ron for his wonderful pastoral and smiling service in wexford, and are delighted that he is still amongst us as one who serves here still. The Rev’d ken Sherwood has just announced his intention to retire from his auxiliary ministry in the Leighlin group, and we thank him and Norma for the excellent work they achieved in building up the witness of the cathedral, its parish and ecumenical interests. Enjoy the future ken, and you will be much missed on your return to Dublin.

The Rev’d precentor Norman Ruddock will also retire at the end of January next. Norman, how can I sing your praises adequately ? Save to say that in over 20 years of knowing you and your wonderfully hospitable and spiritual jean, you have never failed to challenge and inspire; irritate and encourage; lead and envision. In short, dear Norman, you have been a faithful servant of our servant lord. Thank the lord you are still around, although we must find you a new slot in the magazine. On second thoughts, perhaps not ! Have a super retirement the pair of you and thank you for everything you are.

Closely related to the ministry of the clergy is that of our diocesan and parochial readers. It is my privilege to express the gratitude of us all for your service throughout the see. Quite simply, without your dedication and faithfulness, the worship of god the holy trinity, Sunday by Sunday, in many of the churches of this united dioceses would not happen. Thank you one and all, and thanks rightfully go also to your warden, canon Mervin McCullough for all his support and guidance.

Members of synod will be pleased to be reminded that 4 such readers have been approved for training for holy orders in the ministry of our church: Margaret Sykes, Richard Greene, William Stacey and Robert Stotesbury have commenced their demanding training, and our prayer and support goes with them.

‘for you, I am a bishop; with you, I am a Christian’. Please permit me time to move now from the personal to the general. This is a change of direction, but not a change in importance. What follows could loosely be described as ‘a 3 fold listening’ : listening to god; listening in the united dioceses; listening in the church. First, listening to god.

Listening to god
Worship is our ’raison d’etre’ as Christians. Indeed, as the play ‘equus’ asserts, ’if we don’t worship we will shrink’. Our worship of god the holy trinity is liturgical worship. We use forms and words hallowed by the past and refreshed by the present. Our catholicity is renewed by reform. Our reform is bounded by our catholicity in matters of faith and order, prayer and praise. Worship therefore defines who we are in Christ, and what we believe. ’Lex credendi, lex orandi’ sums it all up : the rule of faith is the rule of prayer. If you wish to discover what an Anglican believes, come and share in their liturgical round.

So the arrival of a new prayer book is of no small signifigance, or only to be eagerly anticipated by those who are fascinated by the minutiae of liturgical scholarship. No, it is an occasion of the highest significance for all of us who are worshipping members of the church of Ireland.

June 6th 2004 marks the day when our book of common prayer 2004 becomes the official liturgy, the only authorized prayer book of the church. June 6th is the day when the new replaces the old; or perhaps it is better to say, when the new embraces the old, and from this fusion of ancient and modern, a new book of common prayer is born. The last full revision of the book of common prayer was in 1926, following that of 1878. So this is a truly historic occasion for the church of Ireland.

Over the next 6 months or so, encouraged by the ministry of the church’s central liturgical officer canon Ricky Rountree, and supported by our own diocesan liturgical advisors, the Rev’d Roy Byrne and Dermot Dunne, information will be disseminated, and seminars and training days will be arranged to prepare us for ‘prayer book day’, June 6th next.

One of the many pleasing features of the new book, (apart from its size which does not in any way emulate that of the hymn book !), is that it will enfold between its covers the traditional language services of the existing book of common prayer with the contemporary language services of the more recent alternative prayer book.

However, worship is more than a book; and a prayer book, no matter how well produced, is a means and not an end in itself. Its appearing will make demands upon each of us in terms of corporate praise and personal devotion. Start now in ‘heart and mind’ to prepare for its arrival.

Clergy and readers can mine its riches for fresh springs in preaching, teaching and evangelism. Groups and unions might consider forming a ‘liturgy group’ so that its official introduction could be anticipated well in advance. Neither will it be a Sunday only book. Rather, it is as valuable for daily personal devotion as it is for the Sunday gathering of the faithful and seeker. In short, be prepared for renewal in worship in the name of the lord Jesus; in the gentle power of the holy spirit; to the glory of the father.

Listening in the united dioceses
Secondly, listening in the united dioceses. The spirit of service is alive and well amongst us, thanks be to god. Members of select vestries and Sunday school teachers, with youth group leaders, give of themselves weekly. I take this opportunity to thank members of out- going school boards of management for their vital involvement in the life of our primary schools, alongside our principals, teachers and other ancillary staff members, not least in these dizzy, dazy days of increasing departmental demands and regulations.

Thank you also officers and members of our uniformed organizations, especially the girls’ friendly society and boys’ brigade, at a time of decreasing volunteerism and increasing duties of care. Thank you to our bishops’ appeal representatives for reminding us of the demands of kingdom-making outside our borders; and members, past and present, of our increasingly significant Lund link committee, so ably led by canon Barbara fry day.

The mothers’ union does great and often unacknowledged work throughout this see. In particular, I wish to acknowledge the wonderful 6 years in leadership of our retiring diocesan president Mrs. Joan Dier, lovingly supported by her husband Evans, in the most trying of personal circumstances. Thank you Joan so much and we wish your successor, Mrs. hazel Sherlock, well as she prepares to assume the office of diocesan president.

May I also stress how highly I value the work of an arm, a helping arm, of the mothers’ union in the diocese : comac, which is our marriage preparation and support facility. Please do support and publicize its vital work, especially amongst those preparing for marriage, and those experiencing some of its pain. In these and other ways, the spirit of service is ongoing amongst us.

Yet, there are many challenges facing us before which we cannot simply bury our heads. The vision 20/20 committee so well encouraged by canon Gary Dowd, has outlined several of them in its report which is included in your ‘book of reports’. I am determined that the excellent work of this committee as exemplified by this report shall not go the ‘way of all flesh’.

I made a commitment following my election that I would visit all the rural deaneries of the see. Why ? For a twofold reason.

First, because I have a hunch that the rural deanery unit can become a more practical agent for mission and witness in our dioceses, supporting and enhancing the ministry of the dispersed and at times isolated parishes of our groups and unions. Secondly, I wish to see the 20/20 vision report, the visionary initiative of my predecessor, ‘earthed’ in our common life and not shelved for posterity.

So, I have asked each group or union to reflect on this report in terms of two simple questions : to identify three cause for hope and three causes for concern in the report’s findings, and to report back to me at the already arranged rural deanery meetings about to commence, which take place over the next 6 weeks or so. These meetings with me are for the laity and not for the clergy, and are open to all interested parishioners who have the development of our life in Christ at heart.

Eventually, it is envisaged that the findings will be collated, to discover if there are notable similarities or differences, which will be disclosed at a later date, and where necessary, provide fertile soil for future decision making. I lay great stress upon this process of listening to one another in this fashion. In particular, when the church of Ireland has 47 parochial vacancies at present, (including 2 of our own with 2 more to follow next year), I pray for a realistic appraisal of our present condition and future needs as a church community in this see.

One of my important functions is to provide leadership; yes, but of what sort? Well, listening is vital to my understanding of this task. But so to is seed sowing, and I am conscious that some may be unfruitful, and only a few bear ‘fruit with patient endurance’ (Luke 8 : 15). But permit me to ’fly a few Episcopal kites’, and see if the wind of the spirit will keep them above and before council in the immediate future.

First, from reports of the recent national ploughing championship, I noticed with no little concern that ‘the Samaritans’ presence attracted a surprising amount of interest. This indicates to me at least, a growing concern for the health and welfare of our farming community : its conditions, circumstances, and an increasing sense of isolation and loneliness. Could we as a united dioceses see our way to appointing a chaplain to our farming community? I have a priest in mind for this ministry who would combine this work with parochial duties initially. I hope so.

Secondly, and not unrelated, is the emerging ‘green parish movement’ which seeks to take seriously our Christian responsibility in the parish setting for good ecological practice and environmental awareness, in terms of proper disposal of waste; good heating and lighting; attention to grounds and their habitat. Could we slowly but surely ‘grow’ this movement through appropriate diocesan channels? I hope so.

Thirdly, I wish to pay tribute to the untiring work of our youth officer, the Rev’d Philip Heak, especially with his pre confirmation retreats and the emergence of the ecumenical ‘regenerate’ gatherings. But sometimes I fear that we are expecting too much from him; imagining that he can include the primary age group as well as teenagers in his brief. This is unrealistic. Could we consider approving the appointment of a children’s’ ministry officer who would focus on the formative and vitally important primary age and equally assist our Sunday school teachers, while working in tandem with Philip. In so doing, a surer foundation for ongoing youth work would be created ? I hope so.

Fourthly, some definite good news is that next year will see the introduction of a diocesan certificate course in theology for all interested in learning more about the history, doctrine and faith of the church. This will run in association with an updated diocesan course for persons considering becoming diocesan or parochial readers. But you do not have to be considering readership to attend. It is for any and all persons interested in growing in understanding: a vital part of our Christian development. Further details will follow, but I hope and pray that several of you will consider attending this course. How fortunate is the diocese of ferns in having its certificate course in ecumenism already attracting increasing interest.

Listening in the church
Finally, listening in the church. Two areas concern me here. At the end of next month a regional meeting of the synods of cork, limerick and our united dioceses will be held in cork on Saturday 29th November, to which all synods persons are invited. Its purpose is to reflect upon the important report of our church’s committee on sectarianism entitled ‘the hard gospel’.

Members of general synod already have a copy of this significant report, and copies for non general synod members are available here for collection. I urge you to do two things : first, please read this document. Secondly, please do your very best to travel to cork for this regional meeting. Further details will be available shortly.

It is all too easy for us in the south east of Ireland to distance ourselves from the implications and insights of this study. To see sectarianism as a virus which belongs elsewhere. To be blunt : up there dressed in green and orange hues. However, this report states an important corrective. It is everywhere, often lying dormant deep within each of us, until a particular button of the subconscious is pressed, and hey presto, we are surprised by its self expressed manifestation. Well does our lord reminds us to be attentive ‘to the log in our own eye before pointing to the speck in the other’s’ (Luke 6 : 42).

The report identifies many attitudes and areas where each of us may be found wanting. I am no paragon of virtue on this, or indeed other attitudinal matters I assure you. We need to convert such inappropriate attitudes into ‘beatitudes’.

Sectarianism has more than a religious coloring about it. It involves our ridiculing and scapegoating difference. Difference which may be social and cultural, and not solely creedal. Bishop Willy Walsh of Killaloe for example, leaves us all in his debt in his treatment of the marginalized travelling community; a group which is often the target of sectarian prejudice ‘down here’.

But what about us and our treatment for example, of the ‘stranger at the gate’ : the asylum seeker and refugee. There is an ancient Irish saying which reflects the explicit teaching of our lord, and which goes something like this : ‘often and everywhere goes the Christ in the stranger’s guise’.

May I preach to myself in urging a true spirit of Christian charity and welcome to our brothers and sisters from different nationalities, who are trying to establish roots in the land of the ‘purring tiger’? I know several parishes are good exemplars in this area of Christian hospitality.

But I wish to go further and urge our government to deal as compassionately as possible with their asylum, family reunification and residency applications. I hope that I am not being too naïve in suggesting the following ?

Bearing in mind our obligations under the 1951 united nations convention, of which we are a signatory participant, could our government not grant applicants who are in good standing before the courts, (individuals, families and not least those with Irish born children), the guarantees of sanctuary and security they need ?

In so doing, this would also draw a line under the 2003 high court decision, both ending the uncertainty of families with Irish born children, (most of whom are well integrated already in many ways to local community life), and freeing up the system by removing the confusion surrounding that ruling of January of this year.

I am conscious that minister Michael McDowell has promised a careful and compassionate appraisal of the impact of this ruling for each case. But this, admittedly sweeping approach, could simplify matters, and thus allow the past to be past, and so permit the present to clarify the future.

Secondly, as we gather here, so too are the primates of the Anglican communion, including the archbishop of Armagh, gathered in Lambeth palace, London in response to the call of our holy and wise archbishop of Canterbury, Dr rowan Williams. They are meeting to reflect on the challenge presented to our communion in general by the issue of homosexuality, and in particular by the forthcoming consecration of a partnered gay priest, canon gene Robinson as a bishop in the church to serve in the diocese of new Hampshire in America. We may well ask, whither Anglicanism at yet another crossroad of definition ?

Well in advance of this controversy, the bishops of the church of Ireland have been praying over and working through a pastoral letter on human sexuality with a particular focus upon homosexuality. This pastoral letter was published recently, and copies are available for you to take home.

Amongst several points, it affirms the fundamental priority of Christian marriage in loving relationships, and the centrality of scripture in all our praying, speaking and thinking on the issue of sexuality. It recognizes divergence of opinion, not on the place of scripture in the debate on homosexuality, but in its interpretation. It identifies 4 general viewpoints amongst and across the spectrum within and between the bishops.

My friends, I take very seriously my calling as a bishop to be a focus, indeed more than that, to be a person of unity in the diocese, and through the diocese with the church catholic. I seek to root my understanding of this call in the pattern of Christ the good shepherd, and in the ecclesiology of the early church, exemplified in the writings of saint Ignatius of Antioch and saint Cyprian of Carthage in particular. Such are my ‘sources’ if you like, in keeping with our church’s appeal to scripture and tradition. But what also of reason ?

Here again I would point you to the pastoral letter, for therein is a strong and compelling appeal to the reasonableness of ‘listening‘. Listening carefully one with another; one to another. In particular, listening attentively to scripture and to the experiences of our gay Christian brothers and sisters, ordained and lay. The pastoral letter emphasizes that this is not a topic conducive to discussion in ‘large legislative assemblies’, for the very reason that listening can be drowned out by debate.

I urge each one of us to heed this advice. Convictions are good and proper, but they too must be open to reflection and to fresh understanding. I am very conscious indeed of a voice in one ear saying to me ‘bishop, scripture condemns all homosexual sexual activity. That is abundantly clear bishop, isn’t it ?‘ in the other ear I hear the confusion of parents before whom a loved and lovely child has had the guts to openly share their homosexuality with them. ‘it can’t be wrong bishop, can it’, they say to me ? Before my eyes I see gays and lesbians, Christian and non Christian, ordained and non ordained, who are living loving, creative, unobtrusive lives under no little scrutiny, within and without the church, and in harmony with their heterosexual relatives and friends.

I appeal for patience, tenderness, understanding in our application of the wisdom of the past to issues of contemporary controversy, as far as possible, ‘from the maddening crowd’. In short, lower the decibels and heighten the attentiveness. As a step in this process of listening in the see, I have for example, encouraged the mothers’ union to slowly but surely reflect upon this issue. I have encouraged them so to do along the following lines.

Remove from our thoughts and mind’s eye images of permissiveness; step back from inadmissible equations with dreadful child abuse; attend not to the choreography of intimacy. Rather, bearing in mind that our gospel is a gospel of reconciled and reconciling love, and that the church, the body of Christ, is to be sufficed by, with and through such love in Christ, how do these following two questions relate to this divine vocation :

First, is the love shared between two homosexual persons in any way different from the love shared between two heterosexual persons ? Secondly, how can such love be properly affirmed in the life of the church, if at all ? In short, can the ‘love which dare not speak its name’ in most ecclesiastical circles, dare to speak humbly, openly, without fear, to us of its presence ?

Beloved in Christ, I believe that we have omitted the experience of love and loving for too long in our reflections on this and other inter personal matters, not least from our ‘theologizing’. If this debate is to proceed in a listening spirit as I truly pray it will, it must place love, and loving in Christ, at its listening heart.

In my ending is my beginning : ‘for you, I am a bishop; with you, I am a Christian’.
To god be the glory to the ages of ages. Amen.

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