Committee for Christian Unity reports on structural changes to ecumenical bodies.
This afternoon, the Committee for Christian Unity reported on the revised changes to the structure of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland. These changes include significant staff reduction and a change in management structure, moving from the ‘council’ model to being an agency of the ecumenical instruments in Britain and Ireland. Proposing the report to the Synod, the Revd Daniel Nuzum (Cork) expressed the Committee’s regret that the Irish Council for Churches has decided only to be an associate member of CTBI, leaving the Church of Ireland responsible for funding its own full membership. The report also expresses its gratitude to Dr David Goodbourne, General Secretary of CTBI since 1998 and publicly thanked him for his hard work and dedication over the years.
The Irish Council of Churches has also initiated a review process in which it aims to address its future aims and priorities. The Committee for Christian Unity plans to be very involved in this process.
The World Council of Churches met in Porto Alegre, Brazil in February 2006. The Church of Ireland was represented by Ms Yvonne Naylor and the Revd Daniel Nuzum and issues such as economic justice, Christian identity and religious plurality, and youth overcoming violence were addressed.
Regarding Inter-Faith issues, a sub-group was established to advise the Church of Ireland on this area. Chaired by the Rt Revd Michael Jackson, this group hopes to have drawn up a series of guidelines on inter-faith issues by early 2007. Mr George Woodman (Connor) highlighted the importance of Christian-Jewish dialogue, saying that it deserves strong attention and should be a high priority for the Church.
During the year, the Committee also produced a response to the recent ARCIC statement Mary: Grace and Hope in Christ. This response appears as Appendix D to the Standing Committee Report. To read this report, please click here.