“Ethos Both a Habitat and a Way of Life” in Schools – Archbishop; Vibrant Energize youth evenings; Derry cleric on reconciliation; Drumbeg institution; CMS Ireland Impact Event; Media Review – Ex C of I Norfolk vicar resigns due to “campaign focused on a matter from his past; Roscrea church raises funds for Swaziland; Irish Bishops release statement on Children’s referendum
“Ethos Both a Habitat and a Way of Life” in Schools – Archbishop
The distinction between ethos and religious instruction in schools was highlighted by Archbishop Michael Jackson at a recent conference on faith–based education in Galway. The Archbishop was one of the speakers at Rethinking Education in Ireland which was organised as part of the celebrations of 150 years of the Jesuit School in the city.
“My heart regularly sinks when, in any discussion of education, the argument slides from ethos to religion classes in schools. The latter has become a battleground about denominational and doctrinal invasion of publicly funded space and time. The former, I think, is different and deserves to be considered as part of a contribution to the holistic educational experience of all involved in the school; it has, however, become embroiled in the former and is manifestly part of the controversy,” Dr Jackson stated.
He argued that ethos was quite different from religious instruction because it offered a shape to the life of a school which was informed and sustained by specific values. These, he said, shaped how people behaved towards one another and how they exercised the opportunities to think with responsibility and to form opinions with integrity, in the context afforded by education.
The Archbishop described ethos as being “both a habitat and a way of life and in the educational context has to do with developing instinctive relationships of responsibility and altruism leading towards good citizenship, whether Ireland succeeds in retaining at home those whom she educates or continues to export them in droves to other countries. First and foremost, ethos is about the quality of life of the school. This is often the most missed point”.
He observed that faith–based education had in recent times raised more questions and antagonisms than it used to. There were a number of reasons for this, he suggested, noting that Irish people today had greater confidence in challenging theocracies even though Ireland still had strong overtones of religious belief and practice. “The tension seems to me to be one played out by those who are ultimately using arguments against the existence of a God who intervenes in a transformative sense in the lives of individuals and communities for good and a Constitution which safeguards the entitlement of parents and guardians to have their children educated in an environment which reflects and implements in daily life their religious tradition. Such religious positions, it is argued, were taken up and embedded when there was a totally different world–view and therefore have no relevance in a ‘new and secular Ireland’,” the Archbishop commented.
However, he added, there was a further complication: “It is this: much of the contemporary debate in both educational and media circles luxuriates in kicking a tired institutionalized Christianity when it is lying on the floor. It does not take cognizance of the wider reality that religious belonging and expression worldwide is increasing and changing and is not ceasing to exist. It is not necessarily religion as we have come to know it through our own experiences of religion in our own lives.”
Dr Jackson said that there was another erroneous use of the word ethos when referring to tribalism, which made the use of the word problematic.
He felt that the concerns about faith–based education centred ultimately on the argument that public funding was being used for the purpose of religious indoctrination and that faith–content distorted the young mind. He argued that too often ethos and religious instruction could be confused because there was no real understanding of the difference. “Ethos properly understood has religious components but it not primarily religious,” he said.
He continued saying that Christian faith–based education in the Ireland of today provided a context for the pupil’s experience of the best of the values of Christianity and as Irish life develops and expands culturally and religiously, needed to offer this scope to other World Faiths. “It [ethos] provides a crucible in which caricature can be challenged and understanding can refute prejudice. This holds whether one belongs to a majority or to a minority. In this all–important respect, it is vital for the ethos for which I have a responsibility that there be diversity among the make–up of the school. Building diversity – what historically has been called pluralism – into this experience offers from an early age the grappling with issues of minorities as fellow human beings and therefore deserving of dignity and respect. Ethos, therefore, is not only a part of life but, in this context, is a definition of lived experience,” he stated.
To read the complete text of the Archbishop’s paper click here.
Vibrant Energize evenings
After the success of the Connor Diocesan Energize evenings for young people, Ballymena Rural Deanery organised a series of evenings on Discipleship to be held in the rural deanery.
They received support for this from the Church of Ireland Priorities Fund. It was decided to use the diocesan name Energize at a deanery level. The rural deanery wanted to encourage young people to come together to enjoy each other’s company, have some fellowship and teaching, share food, encourage one another in their walk with God and to equip them as disciples.
The first of these evenings was held in Portglenone Parish Centre on Sunday October 14. The worship was led by Laurence Bellew from Willowfield and the speaker was Gillian Millar. The second evening was held in St Patrick’s Hall, Broughshane, on November 4 and the worship was led by Sam Johnston who also spoke. Young people came from Ballymena, Broughshane, Ahoghill and Portglenone for the two evenings. The next energize evening will be held in the new year. Transport is available for all churches in the rural deanery who wish to send their young people. If you wish to know more about Energize contact Lyndsay Williamson in Broughshane, Lucy Lloyd or Alan Ross in Ballymena or Catherine Simpson or the Rev Gary Millar in Ahoghill and Portglenone.
Derry cleric on reconciliation
The Revd Dr David Latimer, Minister of First Derry Presbyterian Church will be the guest speaker at the Sanctus Boscus Reconciliation Group’s meeting in Holywoood, Co Down, on Wednesday 14 November when he will speak on the subject of a ‘Brand New Day’.
He will tell the story of how two very different traditions in the City are beginning to move closer together so as to become friendly allies, determined to only use words and not weapons to resolve differences.
In Derry/Londonderry between November 2012 and April 2013 there will be a series of public events involving keynote National and International speakers who will assist people living in a divided society to engage in difficult conversations which are fundamental to the provision of sustainable peace.
Dr Latimer will tell of the opportunities being provided for Catholics and Protestants to step outside their respective comfort zones of isolation and poor relationships, to listen to each other’s stories, begin to understand one another and pledge to live peacefully together. In January of this year Dr Latimer was awarded the ‘North West People of the Year’ plaque in recognition of his efforts towards reconciliation in the City. A warm welcome is extended to the event at the Parish Centre, 71 Church Road, Holywood on Wednesday 14 November at 7.30 pm.
Drumbeg institution
Revd Willie Nixon will be instituted as incumbent of the Parish of Drumbeg, Down & Dromore, on Friday 16 November, 2012 at 7.30pm.
CMS Ireland Impact Event
On Friday 16 November, CMS Ireland will host its Annual Celebration event, IMPACT, in Knockbreda Parish Halls.
The event celebrates the many lives that have been transformed throughout 2012 as God’s people have engaged in God’s mission.
The evening begins at 7:30pm and is open to all. For more information, visit the CMS Ireland website:
http://www.cmsireland.org/events/2012/11/16/impact-2
MEDIA REVIEW
Norfolk vicar resigns due to “campaign focused on a matter from his past …
Norwich Evening News – “In appointing William Stewart the Diocese followed the normal procedure of seeking assurance from the Church of Ireland that he was a priest in good standing, and a CRB check was made and returned clear. On this basis he was offered the post of Rector …
http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/norfolk_vicar_resigns_due_to_campaign_focused_on_a_matter_from_his_past_church_of_england_confirms_1_1683985
Roscrea church raises funds for Swaziland
Offaly Express – A special ecumenical service will be held in St Cronan’s Church of Ireland on Sunday November 25 at 7.30pm to raise funds for the Luyengo Farm Project in Swaziland. Swaziland, a small landlocked country nestling between South Africa and Mozambique, …
http://www.offalyexpress.ie/community/roscrea-church-raises-funds-for-swaziland-1-4446852
Irish Bishops release statement on Children’s referendum
Vatican Radio – Below is a Statement by the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference on the proposed thirty-first amendment of the Irish Constitution Article 42A, on Children. – “The legacy of failure by individuals, organisations, the Church and the State to adequately protect children in Ireland strengthens the case for signalling our commitment to the dignity and welfare of all children at a Constitutional level. As bishops …”
http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2012/11/06/irish_bishops_release_statement_on_children%27s_referendum/en1-636123