ODDI WRTH YR ESGOB...

FROM THE BISHOP...

Bishop John writes his Ad Clerum to the clergy of the Diocese every month. You can read the text on this page.

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October 2007

Dear Friends,

Conflict is the stuff of pastoral encounter, and how we deal with it, at whatever level, is a test of our discipleship. Those who most agitate and frustrate us can be seen as a sign of blessing, if only we have the vision to understand the potential for insight and healing that situations of conflict draw from us.

The current impasse between different groups within the Anglican Communion offers just such an opportunity. At the Governing Body in Lampeter, Archbishop Barry spoke at some length about recent developments. Although the media and elements even within the church have characterised this as a simple split along geographical or straightforward theological/traditional lines the situation is more complex. Questions about ethics, scripture, authority and obedience have raised difficult problems. The consequent disagreements, played out on a world stage, and magnified in the media, have eroded rather than strengthened the possibility for Anglicans to demonstrate their calling to value God’s gifts of diversity and to be reconcilers and peace-makers.

Developing a covenant between the provinces of our Communion has been the major focus of recent efforts aimed at healing our wounds of division, and much has been written recently in the press about the demands such an agreement might make on member churches. The benefits of covenantal relationships are manifold: As well as the notion of “covenant” having vital biblical precedent, we already have experience of such bonds in ecumenical work. Covenants can be a welcome reminder of our need to be accountable to one another as well as to God. They also remind us that we depend upon one another in our worldwide family of faith.

However, as Archbishop Barry pointed out, an essential aspect of a covenant is that it describes a relationship of grace that is focussed towards finding a mature freedom for those involved. Covenants are about building trust and exploring new territory in relationships. The antithesis of this is a contract, which aims to bind those who are party to it, and which sets out boundaries, terms, conditions, and punitive actions for those who stray beyond its limits.

The problem with the covenant now being drafted is that it appears to be more like a contract. So with the full backing of the bench of bishops the Archbishop proposed that the Governing Body of the Church in Wales should register its concerns and make a contribution to the global Anglican search for better relationships. A draft response from Wales prepared by a group, including Tudor Griffiths from this diocese, was circulated and the GB overwhelmingly gave its support..

It is not a comfortable time for the Anglican Communion; conflict often takes us to places we might rather not be. But I ask you to pray for the Communion in your private prayers and publicly in our parishes. We may be tempted to dismiss the troubles of the Anglican Communion as remote from our ministry here, but I believe that it is in the crucible of such difficult situations that we discover, if we dare, just a little more about who we are and how we are called to serve.  And it is when we are humble enough to look honestly at ourselves and our churches, with all our frailty and disagreements, that paradoxically we find we are in a stronger position to reach out with credibility to others.

The clergy school in Lancaster was productive, accessible and hugely enjoyable, due in no small part to the willingness of all of you to engage seriously with the important matters that bear on our ministry as leaders. Art Gafke and Peter Sedgwick served us well and a buoyant spirit, a sense of unity and integrity, went hand in hand with a good sense of fun. The feedback received so far has been very positive and all comments have been taken seriously (including the needs of one participant who said there was insufficient hair-washing gel to last the whole conference). There are a number of people working on ideas for a follow up meeting. If you have further feedback or ideas please send them to Alan Tiltman, CME Officer. I am grateful to all who made the conference work so well.

The Collection at the closing Eucharist at the clergy school raised £355, which has been sent to the Morecambe Bay Victims’ Support Trust.

Terry Mart retired from full time ministry in the diocese last month. Terry served in Prestatyn, Llangystennin and in the Llanfair DC group of parishes and for several years was diocesan world mission officer and area dean of Llanrwst. Terry’s skill as an artist is well known to many in the diocese and it is this calling which he now hopes to develop further. We wish Terry and Anne well as they move to their new home in Conwy.

Congratulations to Gill and Martin Batchelor on the birth of their twins, Laura Beth and Rachel Sian.

The new co-ordinator of the diocesan retired clergy association is Quentin Bellamy, who succeeds John Evans. We are grateful to John for his work in this important sphere of pastoral care.