Irish news digest June 20

C of I Youth Department guidance on resuming youth activities

One of the positive trends for the Church’s ministry during the lockdown is that youth ministry, in its widest sense, has never stopped. Many churches, leaders and youth workers across Ireland have supported – and continue to support – young people in creative and innovative ways. It’s a testament to their faith in God, passion, and their resilience and commitment.

The Church of Ireland Youth Department (CIYD) has now published guidance on how – on a carefully managed and phased basis – churches can restart youth ministry activities over the coming weeks.

Introducing the guidance, Bishop Pat Storey writes: “As President of CIYD, I am delighted to support our new protocols for youth ministry on the gradual return to face to face youth work. Everyone has done an amazing job of trying to carry on and up skill on virtual means of communication! Some of this will continue but inevitably as the lockdown eases, we will be resuming some activities. Of course, these will always adhere to government guidelines in each jurisdiction. So, thank you for all your efforts and please read the document carefully.”

The 15–page document encourages leaders to look to restart youth ministry activities, however small, without any unnecessary delays, based on the latest government advice at the time – for the good of our young people’s socialisation, faith development and mental health. It includes several practical for getting a group’s youth ministry ‘up and running’ again.

All guidance is indicative and is subject to ongoing public health advice and a step–by–step risk assessment which should be carried out on an ongoing basis by each organisation/group, in line with the Church of Ireland’s Return to In–Church Worship Protocols for RoI and NI resource.

All activities should have regard to all other relevant requirements and good practice, and all phases should be carried out in line with social distancing measures as advised by both governments, which may evolve over time.

The guidance from CIYD is available via the C of I web site.

Shorten homilies as Masses begin – Archbishop Martin

Archbishop Diarmuid Martin has asked priests to shorten their homilies as public Masses begin at the end of the month.

“It is advisable that ceremonies should not be prolonged unnecessarily. Homilies should be short and unnecessary interruptions reduced. All this will require attention to detail and a parish liturgy team could provide help.”

From the Organ Loft treat this weekend

Tune in this weekend to Pipeworks From the Organ Loft, a series of five streamed and recorded events which will air during the festival dates. Highlights include a performance from David Leigh, streaming from St Patrick’s Cathedral on Sunday night at 18.00. Learn more and watch at
[ https://www.pipeworks.ie/pipeworksfromtheorganloft ]

Clergy 94 per cent of Diocesan trustees

The Tablet reports – Clergy make up 94 per cent of the Irish Church’s diocesan trustees, according to research published by the lay reform group We Are Church Ireland, and in five of the 26 dioceses, the bishop is the sole trustee. The figures form part of a “transparency table” collated by the group, which also revealed that only nine of the Irish Church’s 26 dioceses publish their annual accounts on their diocesan websites.

A Service for Father’s Day

A service for Father’s Day from Holy Trinity at Platt Church in Manchester lead by the Rector, The Revd Dr Paul Mathole. With songs and hymns recorded by BBC SoP back in 2017. Sun 11:45 @BBCOne

Data Protection Act hampers child protection Catholic Church states

The Tablet reports – The National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland has warned that the GDPR and the 2018 Data Protection Act hamper its ability to monitor abuse cases. In its 2019 annual report, the Church watchdog revealed an ongoing issue over whether it is legal for a Church authority to share personal data with the National Board relating to allegations against clergy and Religious. Consequently the board is notified of abuse allegations, but the information is anonymised and significant detail is removed, so it cannot advise with certainty on whether reports it receives may also have been forwarded by another Church authority, resulting in double-counting.

Double surprise for Rector on 25th anniversary of ordination

The Rector of Leckpatrick and Dunnalong, Rev Canon Paul Whittaker, got a double surprise on Thursday when a number of visitors called to the rectory in Ballymagorry to help celebrate the 25th anniversary of his ordination.

First, two parish stalwarts—Dunnalong parish secretary Kaye Nesbitt (also representing the Mothers’ Union) and Leckpatrick treasurer Linda Huey—called with gifts from their respective parishes for their Rector and his wife Carol. Then, Bishop Andrew Forster, who has known Canon Whittaker for over 25 years, arrived to offer personal congratulations.

The presentations were made outside the rectory, in glorious sunshine, and social distancing protocols were observed throughout. Canon Whittaker reminisced briefly about his Service of Ordination which took place in Killowen Parish Church in Coleraine in June 1995 and those present then went their separate ways.

Food for thought

Points for Prayer