Bishop of Clogher says community needs to know that churches are open and ready to welcome people back

The Synod commenced with A Service of Holy Communion in St. Macartin’s Cathedral.

The Bishop of Clogher, the Right Revd Dr. Ian Ellis presided at his first Synod in person since his election as bishop.

In his presidential address, Bishop Ellis said the church is now on the reconstruction phase as it rebuilds from the Coronavirus pandemic.

He told parish representatives attending; “We had good safety reasons for holding back from offering our full programme of activities in parish life, but, now is the time to open the doors of our halls and all our organisations to restart and hopefully flourish again. Now is the time to make some noise to tell the community that churches are open, and that we want to welcome people in.”

Bishop Ellis then referred to the cost of living crisis.

“The greatest challenge facing our society in coming months is the cost-of-living crisis. Increasing fuel bills and food and commodity costs will have a huge impact on households and businesses. This is especially so for families who are on low incomes, single parents, those coping with disability and the elderly. Local businesses too will be placed under enormous strain to meet rising utility bills, with the potential for business closure and unemployment. Economists tell us that the stark reality is that most families are only two pay cheques away from being in debt.

“In recent weeks our church leaders have called for action from our governments to address the financial losses many are going to face over this winter with crippling costs of living.

(…) However, there is a real sense of impending crisis in the minds of the vulnerable and needy families across these islands with many feeling they have lost control of their lives.

Clogher Diocese provides assistance to needy families through the Clogher Diocesan Social Fund whose primary purpose is to provide grants to families of Church of Ireland children who have lost a parent, for the period of the children’s education. It also can provide one-off hardship grants to other families.

Bishop Ellis said rising costs of living may eventually impact parish finances. “Churches too will face increased energy costs and perhaps reduced parochial contributions. As a diocese during the pandemic, we were able to provide diocesan support grants for all parishes. The first year we gave £2000 per parish church, the next year £1000 and we are assessing this year if we can support parishes again although is likely to be much less than previous two covid grants. However, the diocese will respond to parishes as generously as it can,” he said.

He continued; “One of the delights of being a bishop is to travel around the parishes to conduct confirmations and I have conducted 40 confirmation services in the past 18 months! It is very invigorating to be with young people and a great honour to bring the rite of confirmation and witness their commitment to Christ and his church.

Bishop Ellis went on to pay tribute to the late Majesty Queen Elizabeth who he said had been someone who was the constant in our national life for over 70 years.

He also paid tribute to a former Bishop Brian Hannon, who died in January. He said he had been their much loved and fondly remembered Bishop in Clogher Diocese.

“His very moving funeral service had a restricted attendance due to the pandemic however many thousands joined virtually on the Cathedral live stream. His good friend Archbishop Robin Eames gave the sermon at the service and other bishops from the Church of Ireland were present to present their own tributes. We were able to offer our thanksgiving to God for Brian’s unique episcopal ministry in Clogher for over 10 years through some of the darkest days of the troubles in Fermanagh. We offer to his wife Maeve our continued prayers and good wishes.”

Bishop Ellis finished off his address by referring to diocesan administration, thanking all those who had played key roles in the diocese during the year.

Concluding, he said; “These are very challenging times we live in. I find it helpful to reflect on something a retired bishop said to me on my election. He said ‘remember the building of the Kingdom of God does not just depend upon you – it is the work of God.’ Let’s all remember that - God calls us to join with him in labouring in this vineyard but ultimately it belongs to him and he alone holds the future of his church. May we move forward together in prayer and faith asking for the Spirit of God to lead us.”