Page 41 - The Church of Ireland Apologetic for Mission?
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The initiative asks Christians to reflect on the beauty of God’s world and to consider what practical steps can be taken to prevent further damage to the environment. Also,
to pray for the planet, for people in the developing world already affected by climate change and for future generations.
16. Challenges of Recession
The post 2008 economic downturn in Ireland has been one of the most severe in recent history. It followed the unprecedented growth of the Celtic Tiger period. It also coincided with a series of banking crises
and the bursting of a property bubble. All
of this led to great economic hardship for many, emigration, a bailout for Ireland and a punishing Bank Guarantee scheme in Ireland.
Anecdotal evidence suggests local action
by parishes to help alleviate need. As often as not this has involved cooperating with organisations such as Christians Against Poverty and participating in food bank initiatives. However, there is much debate as to the causes of the economic downturn and to how evenly its effects have been carried across the population.
Comments from interviewees, as noted below, suggest a frustration with the Church of Ireland, in what it has been able to speak into this context.
The Church is silent about what it is for – a just society – but loud about what we are against.
We are not taken seriously as a church in Ireland because we are not speaking into the economic situation and justice issues.
(we are) afraid to be more vocal and have a prophetic voice because we are afraid our own inconsistencies will be highlighted ... busy and scared of the scrutiny.
Where is the church in justice?
This is important ... do we have the mechanisms to translate into action? We can’t subcontract the prophetic.
17. Parish Level
Assessing all mission activity in parishes across the Church of Ireland would be a major study in itself. Although difficult to accurately quantify there is evidence of
significant mission taking place in parishes at local level. This encompasses all dioceses and theological perspectives.
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