There is an international flavour to the lead reports today highlighting C of I links to Egypt, North America and Sweden. Also – Media review
1 – Archbishop present as Egypt’s new Coptic pope enthroned
The Archbishop of Dublin, Most Rev Dr Michael Jackson, was present when the new pope of Egypt’s Orthodox Coptic church was enthroned on Sunday in an elaborate ceremony lasting nearly four hours, attended by the nation’s Muslim prime minister and a host of Cabinet ministers and politicians.
Pope Tawadros II, 60, was elected Nov. 4, but the official enthronement ceremony was held Sunday at the Coptic cathedral in Cairo. He replaced Shenouda III, who died in March after leading the ancient church for 40 years.
The packed cathedral repeatedly erupted into applause as the ceremony progressed. The ceremony’s climax came when the papal crown was placed on Tawadros’ head before he sat on the throne of St. Mark, the Coptic church’s founding saint.
Tawadros did not address the televised ceremony, but had a brief speech read on his behalf by one of the church’s leaders in which he pledged to work for the good of Egypt, with its Muslims and Christians alike.
Egypt’s Christians make up about 10 percent of the nation’s estimated 83 million people, making them the largest single Christian community in the Middle East.
Christians have long complained of discrimination, particularly in the last four decades as the country’s Muslim majority moved toward religious conservatism. The rise to power of Islamists after the ouster nearly two years ago of authoritarian leader Hosni Mubarak has deepened their concerns, amid increasing attacks targeting their churches and businesses.
Dr Jackson represented the Archbishop of Canterbury as well as the church of Ireland. In an audience with the new Coptic Pope he delivered the following greeting from the Church of Ireland: “On behalf of the Church of Ireland, Anglican Communion, I have great pleasure in bringing greetings of warmth and friendship to Bishop Tawadros on his becoming Pope of the Egyptian Coptic Church in succession to Pope Shenouda III.
“We in the Church of Ireland greatly respect the historical tradition and the contemporary courage of Coptic Christians in Egypt in your witness and service. We also greatly appreciate the presence of Coptic Christians in Ireland. We are delighted today to be part of the Service of Enthronement and rejoice in the blessing of God on God’s people in Egypt.”
2 – Major problem in link US diocese
For some years the Diocese of Kilmore has had a link with the Diocese of South Carolina of The Episcopal Church. During the course of this year there has been disputation between the Diocese and the Episcopal Church. Episcopal News Service has reported that the majority of South Carolina Episcopalians who attended a special convention on Nov. 17 affirmed actions by Bishop Mark Lawrence and the diocesan Standing Committee a month ago to disaffiliate the diocese from the Episcopal Church.
Those actions took place after Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori restricted Lawrence’s ministry on Oct. 17 after the church’s Disciplinary Board for Bishops certified to her that he had abandoned the Episcopal Church “by an open renunciation of the discipline of the church.”
On that same day, the Standing Committee announced that the action of the Disciplinary Board “triggered two pre-existing corporate resolutions of the diocese, which simultaneously disaffiliated the diocese from the Episcopal Church and called a special convention.”
The bishop referred to the special convention as “the Valley of Decision” during his address and asserted, “It is time to turn the page.” He referred to attempts to prevent separation of the diocese, and his oft-mentioned issues of theology, morality and disagreement with church canons…
The ENS report notes that:
..While the bishop referred to numerous letters of support from church leaders, he did not announce any open offers of affiliation with the Anglican Communion, and he confirmed that for now the separatist diocese will affiliate with no one. In a conference call following the convention, he confirmed that alignment is not on the table at present.
However, during his address, he claimed that “for now and the foreseeable future, having withdrawn from our association with TEC, we remain an extra-provincial diocese within the larger Anglican Communion.”
Such a designation requires action by the Anglican Consultative Council, which concluded a 12-day meeting in Auckland, New Zealand, on Nov. 7. No action on South Carolina was taken during that meeting and the council will not meet again until May 2016.
The text of Bishop Lawrence’s address is at –
http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/dioceses/south_carolina_votes_to.html
3. – Swedish ordinand gains experience in Antrim Parish
Antrim Times – Anna Nordin, who is a third year student preparing for ordination in the Church of Sweden visited All Saints’ parish in Antrim during September as part of her training.
Antrim Parish is part of the Church of Ireland Diocese of Connor and it has been linked to Soderledkyrkan in Norkopping, 70 miles south of Stockholm, for the past 13 years.
Talking about an experience she ‘will never forget’, Anna told the TIMES: “I did an internship in All Saints’ parish. It really was a wonderful time for me and I will always carry it with me. Especially all the people,
all the good conversations,
your hospitality and thoughtfulness.
“It has been a busy and exciting time. It was instructive for me to be involved in so many activities in the parish such as the Scouts, confirmation group, youth club and Evergreens. I took part in such a variety of church services, funerals, weddings and baptisms, home visits and home communions. I also followed Stephen, the vicar, on some diocesan assignments and met Bishop Abernethy and Archbishop Harper,” she remembered.
During her stay, Anna found many similarities between the Church of Ireland and the Church of Sweden as time went on. She remarked: “Our churches have more in common than I first thought, both in terms of rewards and challenges. It was a good experience for me to discover this.
“It was not only the serious aspects of the job that I got to experience, I also got to experience many fun activities as well. I enjoyed many nice dinners, walks and excursions in the countryside and on the coast. The nature in Northern Ireland with all the greenery and the rolling countryside is incredibly beautiful and mostly it was nice weather when I was there.”
Now back at home, Anna can’t wait for her return visit in May 2013.
She says: “Then I’ll go with a confirmation group from Söderleds Church. Last week I met them the first time and I showed pictures and told them about my trip and practice in Antrim.”
http://www.antrimtimes.co.uk/community/sweden-s-anna-enjoys-her-visit-to-all-saints-1-4495370
4 – MU member celebrates 100th birthday
Mrs Nellie Green of Groomsport reached her 100th birthday on 8 November. Groomsport Parish, led by their Mothers’ Union group, celebrated with Nellie and her family in the parish hall when Bishop Harold, Lady Sylvia Herman, Cllr Alan Chambers were all present.
Nellie still attends meetings of the Mothers’ Union and the organisation was well represented with Diocesan President Roberta Rogers; All–Ireland Indoor Members Rep Margaret Crawford; Down Indoor Members Rep Hilda Arnold; Diocesan Secretary Margaret Conn and Branch Leader Heather Pentland, all joining the celebrations.
Nellie lives in her own home in the village and is regularly at the Parish Church. She was surprised to learn that she would get a birthday card every year from the Queen from now on and looks forward to that!
5 – Revd Sam Brennan
A former rector of Aghalee, the Revd Samuel James Brennan has died. The funeral will be from St Mark’s Newtownards at 12.30 pm, today, Monday 19 November.
Sam, who was ordained deacon in 1957, spent his ministry in the Diocese of Down and Dromore. He served for 3 years as curate assistant in the parish of Magheralin and another 3 in Holy Trinity, Down. He was a minor canon in Down Cathedral from 1960–63 before becoming the incumbent of Scarva in the Diocese of Dromore. He served as rector of Aghalee in the Diocese of Dromore from 1969 until his retirement in 1984.
MEDIA REVIEW
A – Young people voice their concerns to President about today’s Ireland
The Journal.ie – The Being Young and Irish Report features the views and vision of almost 800 young people living in Ireland.
http://www.thejournal.ie/being-young-and-irish-report-2-678665-Nov2012/
B – World Remembrance Day for Road Traffic Victims marked in Ireland
BBC News – People who have lost their lives in road accidents are to be commemorated in a series of event across the Republic of Ireland on Sunday. Churches of all denominations are taking part in special prayer services to march World Remembrance Day for Road …
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20385101
C – Savita’s death could force reform of Ireland’s anti-abortion law
National Post – When the religious right forced through the 1983 constitutional amendment the Catholic Church was a powerful and feared force throughout the land. Barring a few leftwing deputies, few if any Irish politicians would have said boo to a bishop let alone …
http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2012/11/16/halappanavar-case-could-force-reform-of-irelands-anti-abortion-laws/
D – Call to clarify NI abortion law
BBC News – Following the death of Savita Halappanavar, one of Northern Ireland’s leading obstetricians urges local politicians to give greater clarity to NI abortion law.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-20353104
E – Spiritual leader and lifelong hurling fan
Irish Times – Msgr Tom Toner, the senior Down and Connor figure who has died after a long illness, was probably typical in his struggle to be an effective parish priest through continual civil trauma.. He also did his best to reach beyond his community, seizing on the hopes raised by the IRA’s 1994 ceasefire to twin St Peter’s in the Lower Falls with St Anne’s Church of Ireland cathedral in the city centre for shared musical and cultural events. He …
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/obituaries/2012/1117/1224326700212.html