BISHOPS PETER'S DIOCESAN SYNOD ADDRESS 2005

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THREE AREAS OF CONCERN

I wish now to turn to three particular areas of concern which could be loosely described as local, national and international. First, the local concerns .

I have spent much of the past two Synod addresses reflecting on the implications for our life together in Christ of some of the relevant suggestions of the 20/20 vision Report. It is still very much on my agenda for the United Dioceses. We have made progress in terms of communications; in particular, through the appeal of our diocesan web site, our excellent diocesan magazine and the provision of PC and email facilities for all the clergy. I am pleased to confirm that the editor of the diocesan magazine, Mr Herbert Sharman, has kindly agreed to my request to succeed Mrs Hughes, to whom we owe so much in this connection, as Diocesan Information Officer. I am also pleased to record a good spirit of togetherness across and between the lovely flowing rivers of the See, of which this gathering is a tangible expression. We have undertaken the first steps in parochial development through an audit of the parishes of the See undertaken by archdeacon Jackson of Lichfield. I reported the findings last year and they were published in the diocesan magazine. They shall form the basis of further reflection in the near future.

We have endeavoured to provide a greater model of centralisation for the administration of this vast United Dioceses. We have been partly successful in this vital endeavour and personally, I await the result of the replacement for Joan with great interest and hopefulness and express to Mrs Georgina Rothwell our gratitude for her willingness to act a Secretary in a temporary capacity.

A major concern was and is (and dare I add , ‘forever shall be?!' '), youth work . You will know of my concern to distinguish youth ministry from children's ministry and of my desire to appoint a Children's Ministry Officer for the See. I am pleased to announce the appointment of the Rev'd Isobel Jackson as part-time Children's Ministry Officer for the Cashel Council area. She will work closely with the Youth Officer, the Rev'd Philip Heak, throughout this part of the See. Ferns Council has decided to appoint its own combined Children's and Youth Ministry Officer and once again, I await the outcome of this initiative with much interest.

If all goes to plan, it will mean that by this autumn, or the start of 2006 at the latest, the whole See shall see a 200% increase in specialist ministry in the areas relating to primary and secondary school age children. This can only be good news indeed.

Finally, remaining under the banner of Vision 20/20, I am pleased to announce the appointment of the Rev'd Tom Gordon as Advisor in Diocesan Development and Theological Education , on a part-time basis. He is well known to successive generations of clergy who have trained or are training for the stipendiary and non-stipendiary ministry through his much-valued coordinating and teaching involvement in the work of our Theological College in Dublin .

The Advisor's brief will consist of the following four components: First, it is envisaged that he will provide an accredited Adult Certificate Course in Theological Studies for interested persons or indeed parishes (and pray God, my favoured unit for mission and ministry, the rural deaneries). Secondly, this course will be closely related to a new modular course being devised for those preparing as parish and diocesan Readers. Thirdly, he will assist with the vital work of the continuing education and formation of the clergy, assisting Dean Wynne. Lastly, he will investigate the findings of the Jackson Audit as they impinge upon ministry and mission in the parishes and make the necessary recommendations for implementation. A demanding, but potentially most exciting brief, which is expected to commence this autumn.

The Advisor will work closely with the Warden of Readers. Following Canon McCullagh's appointment as Rural Dean of Baltinglass, he has agreed to ‘step down' as Warden after 15 years dedicated and helpful service. We take this opportunity to thank you, Mervyn, for such faithfulness and loyalty. The new Warden shall be the rector of the Tullow Group, the Revd William Ritchie, who brings similar experience in this role from previous dioceses and whom we wish well in this important role.

I hope you receive this news as ‘gospel'; that is, as ‘good news' and as an indication of the seriousness of approach to the insights of the recent past. However, two words of caution. First, if we are really serious about witnessing in a contemporary fashion, there will be a cost to pay in terms of hard decision making and of finance. Secondly, this process of discernment in the Spirit demands patience and time; it does not lend itself to haste or to instant results.

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