Rev. Earl Storey is the director of a new Church of Ireland project to better equip the Church of Ireland in bringing about reconciliation in Irish communities affected by sectarianism.
The new project, Hard Gospel, was commissioned by the Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Rev. Dr. Robin Eames, at the end of last month and will run across the whole island over the next three years.Rev. Storey took some time to talk to Christian Today about the project.
Can you explain a bit about what the Hard Gospel Project is and how the Hard Gospel Project arose and developed up to this stage?
In 2003 the Church of Ireland published a major study, entitled The Hard Gospel Report. This study aimed to take a snapshot of attitudes to sectarianism and living with difference within the Church of Ireland. An underlying aim of the study was to assist parishes to increase their capacity to deal positively with difference issues. It also sought to explore how dealing with these issues might impact on decision-making within the Church of Ireland.
The Hard Gospel Report was presented to the General Synod of the Church of Ireland, and to every diocesan Synod. As a result of the response to the report the Church of Ireland authorised a process which has resulted in the establishment of the Hard Gospel Project. This is a broadly-based Project through which the Church of Ireland will address the complex and deep-seated issues that surround sectarianism and difference as identified in the Report. Archbishop Eames is President of this new initiative.
What area will the project cover? Will it be confined to particular regions?
It will cover both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The contexts may vary but some of the fundamental changes facing church and community are the same.
Northern Ireland has experienced thirty years of violent conflict. This has been a manifestation of historic divisions in Ireland. It is now experiencing political uncertainty which simply serves to deepen divisions.Change of a different nature, but no less profound, has taken place in the Republic of Ireland during the past decade. This has been the time of the Celtic Tiger. Huge change has been manifest in the social, economic and religious life in all parts of the country. The growth of a large immigrant population is one of the most obvious changes to have taken place.
Whether North or South the Church of Ireland finds new contexts in which it must express its life and mission as a Christian Church. New contexts mean not only opportunity but real challenge for the Church.
The Project will work in a range of locations that represent a spread of where the Church of Ireland is called to live out its witness. We aim to develop resources that will be user friendly for any local situation.
Significant initiatives already take place in local parish situations in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. These represent not only stories of encouragement but a valuable learning resource for the rest of the Church of Ireland. The Hard Gospel Project will encourage the sharing of these stories and resources.
