IT WAS perhaps ironic that the debate which drew the highest number of speakers was one which concluded in a move to “Next business”, and therefore had no tangible outcome. But it succeeded in allowing the voices of many who grappled with issues of access and equality in the Church of Ireland to be heard.
The private member’s motion about anti-discrimination, from Simon Elliott (Cork, Cloyne & Ross), sought to develop a Church of Ireland policy on welcome and equality that would prohibit discrimination in the Church’s treatment of employees, office holders, volunteers, and contractors on a range of grounds, except in specific stated cases.
It sought to commit the Church in Ireland to the nine protected characteristics common to both jurisdictions in Ireland. “The overarching message of this policy is that we should always be doing our best to welcome and include everyone equally,” Mr Elliott said.
“An equality policy is part of good charity governance. This will not introduce more bureaucracy; rather, it will remove ambiguity and simplify matters for Select Vestries.”
It drew a forthright response from Stella Obe (Dublin & Glendalough), who described it “an issue I believe in”. She declared herself as “probably the only Black face in the Synod for many years”, and, welcoming the President of the Methodist Church in Ireland, the Revd Dr Sahr Yambasu, and Pastor Tai Makinde, of the Redeemed Christian Church, said: “Thank God. We are three this year.”
She said she was “proud to be Black”. She had spent two-thirds of her life in Ireland, and it was a cause for lamentation that the first time she felt discriminated against was in the Church. “We talk about [inclusion] every single year,” she said. “It is just all talk, no change.” She described her parish as one of the progressive ones: “So vibrant! I want to see something of substance presented to General Synod next year.”
No one disagreed with the inclusive principle of the motion. Members with disabilities spoke of how much inclusion mattered, and how greatly lack of access impinged on their daily lives. But many in the Synod were concerned that the Church did not have the capacity to deal with the morass of legislation it would produce.
For most who opposed the motion, it was the requested time-frame of bringing something to Synod in 2023 that was unrealistic. The Revd Dr Andrew Campbell (Connor) spoke for many when he acknowledged the energy required to navigate the complexities of a policy of such substance. He declared it unworkable in its current form.
Others worried that it would add to the legislative burden in parishes. “The principle is right but the paradigm of seeking the power to command is why we should vote no,” said the Archdeacon of Derry, the Ven. Robert Miller (Derry & Raphoe). The Bishop of Cork, Cloyne & Ross, Dr Paul Colton, believed that it integrated well with other themes of mission — notably, transforming unjust structures of society. “Don’t turn down the opportunity to talk about these important things,” he urged.
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