Sir, - In the month in which the Church of Ireland approaches its General Synod 2001, it is worth asking if there will be an earnest attempt to address certain key issues affecting the life of the Church. Two come to mind: religious and political sectarianism and the need for transparency and accountability on the part of its deliberative and decision-making bodies.
Some two years after the report of the sub-committee on sectarianism, is the Church as a body serious about combating sectarianism? What comprehensive and specific measures are being taken throughout the Church as a consequence of the report? Last year's reports to Synod had little or nothing to say about this, except for some vague references to the work of a "sectarianism steering group" and the proposed development of an educational programme on sectarianism. This may be useful in the long term, but where is the sense of urgency and commitment to tackling the whole complex issue?
Catalyst believes that what happens in and around Drumcree parish church is a symptom of the terrible and endemic Irish Christian disease: tribal religion. Frequently, spokespersons for the Church - and the same is true of other churches - appear to see themselves as speaking for tribal interests.
The documents on policing of January 2000 and January 2001 from the Church of Ireland "Northern Bishops" and the Roman Catholic Primate respectively both reflect this. Each was introduced as opinion derived from "our people" and might have issued from any sectional secular source as they contained no religious, let alone Christian, dimension. Once again, "Protestantism" was identified with unionism and "Roman Catholicism" with nationalism. What about one people and one community under God?
As regards transparency and accountability, there is a lack of openness about the proceedings and decisions of the House of Bishops, the Representative Church Body and the Standing Committee of the General Synod. Full and comprehensive reports should be widely available for comment and discussion. - Yours, etc.,
Faith and Norman Gibson, Victor Griffin, Charles Kenny, Duncan Scarlett, Brian Stewart, Catalyst, Belfast.