Speaking to his first diocesan synod, Rt Rev Patrick Rooke dealt in a forthright manner with the process which resulted in his appointment.
He suggested that the structures of the church needed to be examined periodically.
Referring to the House of Bishops refusing to make an appointment following Bishop Henderson’s resignation, the consequent General Synod and Electoral College, Bishop Rooke said “It met in Armagh but failed to make an election and so, rather ironically, the appointment lapsed to the House of Bishops who on the 13th of April elected me.”
The Bishop’s address continued: I mention all of this because the process demonstrated two things –
First, that the structure and episcopal needs of Tuam, Killala and Achonry (TKA), and of all dioceses in the Church of Ireland require re–examination. Questions such as the role of the bishop in a small diocese must be addressed.
In that sense, the Bishops were right; they were not suggesting anything new or unexpected and in recent months, with General Synod’s support, steps have been taken by the Standing Committee to have such a look at the episcopal needs of all the dioceses – and Archdeacon Hastings is a member of the initial Working Group which will formulate terms of reference for this ‘examination of the issues of episcopacy, with a wide review north and south, focusing particularly on mission’.
Thus they are presently consulting and gathering appropriate information from the dioceses as well as identifying matters of a theological nature before reporting back to the Standing Committee in January.
However, none of this is to suggest that changes or restructuring will inevitably result.
Simply, that the Church is doing what it needs to do, and I believe, that we in TKA, must play our full part in the process. We have nothing to fear from it and must hope that from it will emerge a clear vision and direction for the way ahead. What we must not do, is fall into the trap of thinking that this is in any way a threat.
It is not.
To take part in such a process is surely the only way to safeguard the trust that has been bestowed upon us. As the one who has subsequently emerged as the episcopal leader, I pledge myself to achieve for TKA the very best possible solution for these Dioceses.
So let us go forward with heads held high – no one in the Church of Ireland, and not least the Bishops, are under any illusion that the people of Tuam, although small in number, intend to be a force in the Church for many years to come.
Secondly, the events of the past year have shown what can be achieved when people feel passionately about their heritage and the maintenance of it. The passion of those who spoke from these Dioceses at the special Synod was evident for all to see. Sadly it is sometimes true that it is only when backs are up against the wall that true passion emerges.
My hope, as your new Bishop, is that we can kindle that passion and use it as a positive force for growth.
I agreed to undertake the role of bishop in the belief that the people here were not only adamant that they be given episcopal leadership, but that they were willing to play their part in enabling these Dioceses to move forward.
Quite what that means, I am not yet sure, but I firmly believe the way ahead will emerge. So my challenge and plea, and in a sense I am repeating what I said in the Cathedral on Sunday, is that together we will each play our part in taking our Dioceses forward. Only then, can we hope to safeguard the trust that is ours.
Communication is, and will continue to be, another vital element of this structure and it takes place in so many ways. Websites and magazines are particularly important in a diocese like ours.
But, if we are to attract new members, then we need to look at all forms of communication – for instance, we need to ensure that our churches are attractive and comfortable places in which to worship. I have always believed, as a matter of principle, that we should give God’s house the same care we bestow upon our own homes.
Thus, as Bishop, I will be urging my clergy and their select vestries to attend to their buildings. Bricks and mortar matter as does the image conveyed by well maintained churches, rectories and churchyards.
So safeguarding trust in terms of structures and buildings, but also of mission and of the Anglican tradition.
If our structures are allowed to decline further, then the mission of the Church may be endangered too and the Anglican way of life we espouse could be lost to this part of the Island – and certainly, this is not to imply that mission and ministry are always dependent upon structures and buildings – clearly they are not.
Hence, we need constantly to review our wider diocesan strategy if we are to ensure that all possibilities are being exploited.
To this end, shortly, I will be asking each of you to consider the changes you feel need to be made.
I will also invite you to share ideas of what your vision is as we move forward, not just for getting us through the next few years but for the longer term.