Madam, – I was very interested in Rev Dr Janet Rutherford’s suggestion (February 11th) that I might find my spiritual home and “an independent Catholic Church” in the Church of Ireland. I am sure it will not come as any surprise to her that I have often contemplated this prospect, especially as I have met some wonderful and inspiring Church of Ireland members — people like Dean Victor Griffin and Senator David Norris. But I have a number of problems.
The Church of Ireland is, generally speaking, a “low church” and a resplendent liturgical cerebration of the Mass (not a CoI term) and the seven (not two) sacraments are a vital part of my spiritual landscape and sustenance.
One of my greatest complaints about the Roman Church is that it has, sacrilegiously I believe, put its man-made canon law before the love-focused teachings of Jesus Christ. Until recently a very Christ-like Church of Ireland rector had made me welcome in his parish church to celebrate nuptial Masses and baptisms. But recently he had to withdraw his welcome as his bishop had discovered my visits.
I then had a letter from the episcopal gentleman to inform me that I could not celebrate in a Church of Ireland church as it was against the canon law of the Church of Ireland! Would a move to the Church of Ireland therefore not involve me in hopping out of the canonical frying pan only to find myself firmly in the canonical fire?
Personally, I am 100 per cent committed to authentic ecumenism. But in my 33-year ministry North and South I have observed that Roman Catholic/Church of Ireland ecumenism has so often been about the clergy and the “fur coat brigades” from each denomination meeting for harmless prayers and cucumber sandwich afternoon teas, but shying away from prophetic actions and from vigorously addressing such issues as Eucharistic inter-communion and the validity of Anglican Holy Orders.
Too many Church of Ireland clergy seem to feel the need to cosy up to and find some kind of acceptance from their Roman opposites. One of the finest examples of this innocuous and impotent ecumenism occurred some years ago on the Late Late Showwhen Gay Byrne asked Cardinal Cahal Daly and Archbishop Robin Eames: "Which of you is the real Archbishop of Armagh"? The ensuing facial contortions and hand-wringing said it all.
No, I’m afraid that the Church of Ireland, in its current state, is not the answer to my spiritual needs nor to the spiritual needs of many Irish Christians like me. I need a church that is truly Christ-centred, non- establishment, non-politically-correct, truly “Catholic” and truly “Protestant” in the best sense of those words – and faith-full enough to burn its books of canon law and begin again to take Jesus of Nazareth and His disturbing summons to heart: “Woe unto you scribes and Pharisees; for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin and have omitted the weightier matters of the law – judgment, mercy and faith” (Matthew 23:23). – Yours, etc,