Spring 2012
As we go to press at the end of January, two important conferences are waiting in the wings: the C of I Conference on Sexuality for General Synod members in March and the Eucharistic Congress in Dublin in June. A whole issue of SEARCH could be devoted to the former – and indeed this was done back in Autumn 2004; but given the intensity of feeling on this subject in the Church today it now seems best to offer only a faraway perspective on the issue. New Zealand Bishop John Bluck’s offering should be thought-provoking for both sides of the debate. The Eucharistic Congress, at first sight of interest only to Roman Catholics, is actually very pertinent to the Church of Ireland, in that Archbishop Jackson has been invited to address the assembly on the theme “Communion in One Baptism”. Since we accept each other’s baptism as valid, is there hope we may in our lifetime proceed to accept each other also at the eucharist? Eoin de Bhaldraithe, former abbot of Bolton Abbey in Co Kildare, has long studied this issue and contributes a carefully considered article on the subject.
