Archbishop of Armagh gives his Presidential Address at Synod
The Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, the Most Revd Dr Richard Clarke, delivered his Presidential Address to the General Synod of the Church of Ireland meeting in Christ Church Cathedral Dublin on Thursday 8 May 2014.
He focused on ‘Freely you have received, freely give’ (Matthew Chapter 10 v.8), speaking of the ‘Church as an organism that is characterised by its giving nature; its people who are characterised by being giving people‘. Archbishop Clarke also stressed that ‘All life is a gift of God; it is never a commodity’.
He said: ‘…one of the aspects of modern culture I most fear is that we have turned all human life into a commodity. The very beginnings of life and the end of life on earth are gift, never to be treated as anything less.’
The Archbishop asked questions about society’s priorities – in relation in particular to poverty and foodbanks and in funding for hospice provision. He also encouraged people to consider fostering children in need and urged church members to consider being blood donors and to sign up for organ transplant at death, ‘as an opportunity for giving to others‘, and as promoted by the Flesh and Blood – ‘FAB’ – campaign.
The Archbishop went on to ask: ‘I would make an appeal to a wider audience and ask those who have been entrusted with political leadership to tell us what they wish to offer, to give, to the future, to our children and grandchildren. It surely cannot simply be “more of the same” that we wish to offer to future generations?’
Archbishop Clarke also drew attention to Synod legislation concerning the Covenant between the Church of Ireland and the Methodist Church in Ireland and interchangeability in ministries and, finally, looking to the long–term, outlined his thoughts and reflections on some the features which might characterise the Church of Ireland as a whole over the coming twenty years.
Download the full transcript as a PDF.