Supported through Bishops’ Appeal’s current appeal for the Middle East

Bishops’ Appeal is pleased to share the news that al-Ahli Arab Hospital, which is administered by the Anglican Diocese of Jerusalem, is continuing to provide essential care and support for people in urgent humanitarian need in Gaza City.

Canon Don Binder, the Archbishop of Jerusalem’s Chaplain, recently remarked: “Although our Ahli Hospital in Gaza City is overrun with the influx of hundreds of sorely wounded patients from the besieged north, there is today a singular sign of renewed dignity and hope: literally a new sign at the hospital entrance, replacing the one destroyed in earlier attacks.

“Please continue to pray and advocate on behalf of Ahli, the only remaining functional hospital in the north, whose overwhelmed staff is under-supplied and facing starvation, even as they work around the clock to save lives.”

In an interview with the Melbourne Anglican, the hospital’s director, Suhaila Tarazi, added: “We don’t discriminate. We are not part of this conflict … Our humanitarian mission is to show the love of Jesus.”  She also explained the extreme pressures on staff: “On certain days, we have no anaesthesia, so the doctors have to do surgeries and amputate parts of the legs of children and injured without it. We suffer from a shortage of sterilisation solutions, so we sometimes use vinegar to clean some equipment.”

Al-Ahli receives around 750 patients daily and is seeking to maintain the services offered before the conflict, such as the early detection and treatment of diseases, as well as caring for the injured.  The hospital recently re-opened a chemotherapy centre and, in co-operation with the Princess Basma Centre in Jerusalem, has also opened a small unit to provide physical therapy for children with cerebral palsy and their families.  A clinic has also been opened in the Khan Yunis refugee camp where staff care for approximately 200 patients each day.

Bishops’ Appeal is running an appeal through Advent and Christmas, supporting the ministry of the diocese and Tearfund partners.  Donations can be made through bank transfer, cheque or parish collections, and details on how to give are available here on the Bishops’ Appeal website: https://bishopsappeal.ireland.anglican.org/give

On the day that the Pioneer Ministry gathering came together in the Cavan Crystal Hotel for a conference to set out the way forward, the Irish Times ran a report talking about a ‘new paradigm’ emerging in the Church of Ireland. Pioneer Ministry is a key part of that new paradigm.

From the opening worship, led by Revd Canon Michael Mitton, based on Isaiah 40 1–5: 10,11 and speaking about St Non of Dyfed, the mother of St David the famous Welsh patron saint, it was clear that this new paradigm is not about jettisoning the old for shiny new things, but rather about developing a thoughtful approach to witnessing to the Gospel in today’s society where the vast majority of people no longer have a connection to church.

Rev Rob Jones, the National Director of the Pioneer Ministry Team, explained that Pioneer Ministry does not replace the existing parts of the Church or our faithful pattern of traditional parish life, but rather invites and supports those who have an idea to extend their witness to those with little or no connection to church.

The Pioneer Ministry Initiative has the backing of the House of Bishops, of the General Synod and of the Representative Church Body, which has allocated a budget of €6.8 million over the next 10 years to train pioneers and to provide very generous RB grant funding to approved projects. Since February 2023, 8 pioneer trainees have been selected and four projects are receiving an RB grant, and four already had identified funding in place.

The conference attendance list included invited representatives approved by their Bishop, from all the dioceses, including the Pioneer Diocesan Advocates and representatives of Diocesan Pioneer Ministry Hubs.  Most of those expected made it to the venue despite Storm Bert leaving many roads flooded.  Attendees included ordained and lay people, and speakers included the Bishop of Down and Dromore, the Rt Revd David McClay, the Bishop of Kilmore, the Rt Revd Ferran Glenfield, Canon Phil Potter (formerly leader of Fresh Expressions UK and now consultant to the Pioneer Ministry team), and leadership team member, Ven Barry Forde. The morning was largely given over to teaching about pioneer ministry. During the afternoon, the diocesan groups began generating their thinking about the opportunities and challenges they have identified.

While a main focus will be on getting a schedule of funded projects off the ground and organising training of pioneers, Rev Rob Jones reminded the attendees that Pioneer Ministry is simply a new way of considering the challenge of how to witness to people who are outside the Church.

It is not simply for funded pioneers; it is also to empower volunteers on the ground at parish level. Not all the dioceses in the room have received funding for a project at this stage. But, with the establishment of Diocesan Advocates in each Diocese, a new network of support is now in place to advocate, support and champion Pioneer Ministry at local level and to encourage anyone with an idea to develop it, through the authority of their Bishop.

The Advocates will act as a source of guidance and encouragement within the diocese. Smaller, non–funded projects, run by lay volunteers are often more achievable, he reminded the diocesan representatives. Parishes and individuals can be empowered by sharing the learning and advice that we are gathering through the bigger projects and training. Often it is the smallest seed that germinates and turns into the mighty tree. Not all projects will require funding, and not all projects will get funding, despite the generosity of the RB’s budget.

Canon Phil Potter described the importance of ‘releasing the laity’ in the Church of England’s work around pioneering, and of the need to form strong, flexible networks of support. Laity often bring a particular perspective to initiatives such as pioneer ministry, and sometimes find it easier to change their focus to find opportunities outside traditional parish life. Ven Barry Forde told the gathering, that while parish ministry forms the primary model for ordained ministry in the Church of Ireland, chaplaincy and other specialist roles also build a range of skills that can be applied effectively to the pioneer ministry approach. Attendees were encouraged to move from ‘Church–shaped mission’ to ‘Mission–shaped Church’.

During the afternoon session, a video was shown of a pioneering project in Tuam, Limerick and Killaloe. TLK is the largest geographical diocesan area, but with a sparse Church of Ireland population. The diocese recognised that the significant built heritage that exists in the diocese is often seen as a burden to be maintained. They tried a shift of focus, instead looking at it from the point of view of those people whom it attracts to the area. These are mainly tourists. The project that emerged focuses on Celtic Christianity, pilgrimage and spirituality and tries to actively engage visitors in the lively Gospel that inspired this heritage while they enjoy soaking in the rich cultural experience of the ancient landscape. The project benefited from the inputs of Ms Valerie Raitt, who had a professional background in tourism as well as a long–time engagement with parish life.

The feedback and learning received from participants will form the basis of a report and action that will be produced by the Pioneer Ministry Team, Rev Rob Jones, Ven Barry Forde and Ms Ingrid Brennan, in the New Year and worked through with each Diocesan Pioneer Advocate, their Pioneer Hub and their Bishop.  The dioceses will also be made aware of the Commissioning Services for our first Church of Ireland Pioneer Ministers which have taken place. The gathering concluded with a celebration of Holy Communion.

For more information on Pioneer Ministry, please go to www.pioneerministry.org or contact the National Director, Rev Rob Jones, through his PA, Ingrid Brennan, at [email protected]

The Church and Society Commission of the Church of Ireland has produced this resource for members of the Church regarding the sensitive issues that arise in relation to the end of human life.  This is available for printing and sharing in parishes from the following page: www.churchofireland.org/careforeverymoment

Over recent months, members of both Dáil Éireann and the House of Commons have introduced proposals for legislation intended to legalise assisted suicide.  

We understand the powerful emotions involved in any discussion of the issues involved and that the proposals are put forward in good faith, and with good intentions. We recognise that all involved in this discussion have a genuine concern and compassion for those who are suffering, watching another suffer or who are living in fear of a lingering, painful death. We believe firmly that anyone coming to the end of their natural life should have the greatest possible care to help them live out their remaining time with dignity, minimising their pain or suffering. What we do not accept is that legislating for assisted suicide is the best way to help those suffering.

‘And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another, for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit.’ 2 Corinthians 3:18

Life’s value as a gift

As Christians we believe that all life is created in the image of God, as a gift from Him, and has intrinsic value, regardless of who we are, our personal circumstances and our abilities and limitations. If we accept that, in some cases, there are those who by means of age, disability or illness would qualify for assisted suicide, have we not judged their life to have less value? How can they be expected to see meaning and value in their own life if we accept that this value somehow depends on a person’s health or their stage in life?

As the overall age of the population moves upwards, there are often understandable concerns and discussions around the economic consequences of caring for the elderly for the rest of the population. So common is this talking point that we can lose sight of how this framing devalues and depersonalises older people. No longer contributing to the workforce and so past their useful economic lifespan, they become, even if only in the abstract, perceived as a burden.

The social pressure that this creates is not direct, but it is real, and it is insidious. Amid a housing crisis and times of economic uncertainty, the social pressure that this puts on older people is immense, as we subconsciously tell our elders that perhaps things would be better for their families if they simply moved on.  Our faith requires us, as Christians, to protect the vulnerable, the poor, the orphan and the widow. If we allow our society to create pressure, albeit inadvertently, on anyone who is vulnerable to end their lives, we fail in that duty.

Changing boundaries

When lawmakers elsewhere have legalised assisted suicide, they have found time and again that it is incredibly difficult to maintain and enforce legal and ethical boundaries. Laws written with great care are still found lacking and parliaments and assemblies find themselves allowing wider and wider criteria, as occurred, for example, in both Canada and Columbia in a relatively short period of time. 

The surest safeguard in law for our lives and the lives of others, especially the most vulnerable, is ‘do not kill’. It should also be recalled that there is no legally recognised human right to assisted suicide, despite many years of litigation in the European Court of Human Rights. Indeed, that court has recently rejected a human rights claim in this very context, stressing that the wider social implications and risks of abuse and error in the provision of assisted suicide were to be weighed heavily in the balance (Karsai v. Hungary, September 2024). 

Trust

Introducing assisted suicide marks a radical change in the doctor-patient relationship and in the duties of the doctor. We risk damaging the essential trust between doctor and patient. Can a patient who might meet the criteria for assisted suicide trust in the care they will receive? Must the doctor who serves a patient who wishes to kill themselves always accept that this choice is correct? 

We do not accept that legislating for assisted suicide will inevitably reduce suffering. The only inevitability of such legislation seems to be its progressively widening scope. Instead, our governments should work to ensure the best possible palliative care is available to all regardless of their location or financial situation, so that no-one need to fear suffering in death. We also acknowledge that the Church of Ireland has an important role to play in the provision of pastoral and spiritual support for those facing what may feel like an impossible burden of suffering.

‘So God created humankind in his image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.’
Genesis 1:27

An Anglican delegation is attending COP29, the United Nations Conference of the Parties on Climate Change, in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 11–22. They will make calls for action demonstrating Anglican commitment to tackling the climate crisis and the power of faith groups in achieving change.

The COP29 delegation will be led by Archbishop Julio Murray – the Bishop of Panama and former Primate of Iglesia Anglicana de la Region Central de America – and Martha Jarvis, the Anglican Communion’s Permanent Representative at the UN. Their presence follows hot on the heels of COP16 in Cali, Colombia, where an Anglican delegation led by Bishop Graham Usher attended to contribute to discussions on biodiversity loss.

At COP29, Anglican advocacy will emphasise the importance of justice in how nations finance climate change, as the major focus at this year’s COP29 is on agreeing a new goal for worldwide climate finance. Justice needs to be part of these calculations, because areas of the world that have contributed least to climate change are often impacted most and face the highest costs as they respond. Previously agreed goals have been repeatedly missed, adding to mistrust between countries.

With global temperatures hitting record highs, and extreme weather events escalating it’s often the world’s poorest and most vulnerable communities that are impacted. Trillions of dollars are required for countries to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect lives and livelihoods from the worsening impacts of climate change.

Grants not loans

Anglicans at COP29 will urge governments to “Choose Justice, by funding action that reduces damage and inequality.” This includes calls to make finance available as grants, not loans. Many of the places that are worst impacted by climate change already have significant debt burdens and face high interest rates when they borrow to rebuild after climate disasters. Interest repayments often outstrip how much governments spend on healthcare and education. Anglican calls also include the need for governments and businesses to prioritise more than just financial growth – recognising that without environmental and community health, growth pushes us beyond the planet’s natural boundaries.

The focus on finance is one of five calls Anglicans are making at COP29, which are outlined in a short report called: Choosing Hope: Anglicans Working For Joint Action on the Climate Crisis and Nature Loss. Alongside just financing (Choose Justice), the report also advocates for collaboration with faith groups in building community resilience (choose hope); peace and reconciliation work to protect people and the planet from the destruction of conflict (choose peace); recognising the voices of indigenous people (choose wisdom); and encouraging whole society approaches to protecting nature as a source of wellbeing (choose wellbeing).

Stewards and carers

In a speech prepared for the Pre–COP Faith Leaders’ Summit, Archbishop Julio Murray spoke about the role of religious leaders and faith organisations in promoting a green future and raising awareness about combatting climate change. It read: “Christians believe that God has called us to be good stewards of creation and to take care of our neighbors, to seek the welfare of the poor and bring about justice… As people of faith, we are called to promote a green future and raise awareness to combat climate change. We face this challenge as we share the reverence and respect for our world, and we do so out of the faith and the hope that we have, but also in response to the dignity of every human being on this planet.”

Speaking of her hopes for COP29, Martha Jarvis said: “Advocating for just financing is vital, even as we recognise the scale of the challenge of injustice globally. Through our partnerships and networks around the world, the Anglican Communion Office is in touch with many churches and communities directly impacted by the climate crisis. This includes flooding in Burundi and Kenya; rising sea levels in the Pacific; hurricane Beryl in the Caribbean, the Yucatán Peninsula, and the Gulf Coast; and recent flooding in Valencia. In many of these situations, the devastation is exacerbated by power imbalances and unjust financial systems. Prioritising the voices of those who are suffering most would is one way to reflect Jesus’s call to love our neighbours as ourselves, restore trust and accelerate action. Without it, the impact of climate disasters will only get worse.”

Anglicans at COP29 will share case studies of how communities are directly impacted by climate crisis, and how faith groups are playing a major role in climate crisis response.  This includes work by the Church of England Pensions Board, to convene twelve UK pensions funds to commit to supporting just transitions in emerging markets.

Building on biodiversity pledge

In a statement after COP16, Bishop Graham Usher, who led the Anglican delegation at COP16 said: “Efforts such as the Finance for Biodiversity Pledge signed by the Church Commissioners for England and the call to action led by the Church of England Pensions Board reflect the commitment our own institutions have made towards supporting biodiversity worldwide. 

“Now, as we look towards COP29 in Baku, it’s essential that climate and biodiversity goals align. The anticipated climate finance commitments, especially under the New Collective Quantified Goal, will be vital to rebuild trust and support the world’s most vulnerable communities. However, investments in biodiversity conservation, restoration, and environmental protection are futile if climate change continues to advance at the current pace. 

“COP29 will provide a unique opportunity to implement a rapid response when loss and damage occur and to solidify pathways for fossil fuel phase–out. My hope is that COP29 will inspire leaders to act decisively, recognising that climate action is inseparable from the health of the whole creation. Let us continue to pray for courageous leadership and renewed commitment to protecting our shared planet.”