The Dean of Cloyne, the Very Rev. Susan Green reflects on helping to host the Anglican Communion in Belfast

As the nineteenth meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC-19) concluded in Belfast, members of the United Dioceses of Cork, Cloyne and Ross played an important part not only in the Council’s discussions, but also in the planning and delivery of this significant gathering of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

Hosted by the Church of Ireland from 27 June to 5 July, ACC-19 brought together bishops, clergy and lay representatives from across the Anglican Communion under the theme “Called to One Hope“ (Ephesians 4:4-6). Throughout the week, delegates shared in worship, Bible study, discussion and decision-making while exploring some of the most pressing issues facing the Church today, including creation care, safeguarding, reconciliation, migration, discipleship and the future life of the Anglican Communion. Consideration was also given to the Nairobi-Cairo Proposals, which seek to strengthen relationships across the Communion while reflecting its growing diversity.

Among those from Cork, Cloyne and Ross involved in the gathering was the Very Revd Susan Green, Dean of Cloyne, who served as a member of the Church of Ireland planning group responsible for organising ACC-19.

For more than two years, Dean Green worked alongside colleagues across the Church of Ireland in preparing every aspect of the conference. This included planning the liturgies for the daily programme of Morning Prayer, Lunchtime Eucharists and Evening Prayer, as well as helping to coordinate the many practical arrangements required to welcome delegates from across the Anglican Communion.

During the conference itself, members of the Church of Ireland host team worked throughout the week to support delegates, coordinating airport arrivals and departures, assisting with the programme and facilitating a wide range of events. They also helped organise the pilgrimage day to Derry/Londonderry, where delegates learned about the Church’s ministry of peace and reconciliation, and arranged a varied programme of evening fringe events celebrating the culture and heritage of Ireland, including walking tours of Belfast, linen painting, St Brigid’s Cross making and visits to sites associated with C.S. Lewis.

Reflecting on ACC-19, the Very Rev. Susan Green said:

ACC-19 was an extraordinary experience. It was a privilege to worship, pray and deliberate alongside Anglicans from across the Communion, hearing about the many different contexts in which the Church serves around the world. The Nairobi-Cairo Proposals prompted thoughtful and hopeful discussion about the future of our life together, while themes such as climate change were woven throughout the conference. It was particularly encouraging to see Andrew sharing our Diocese’s Communion Forest initiative as part of those conversations. The week concluded with a joyful Eucharist in St Anne’s Cathedral, followed by a closing dinner, bringing to an end a remarkable gathering of the worldwide Anglican family.

Also representing the Diocese were Helen Arnopp, a member of the Representative Church Body Executive Committee, and  Bishop-elect Canon Andrew Orr, who contributed to a presentation on the Anglican Communion’s response to climate change. The full report on it can be found here.

The Council concluded with the passing of a number of resolutions and elections to the Standing Committee before delegates gathered in St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast, for the Closing Eucharist. The service was celebrated by Archbishop Hosam Naoum, Primate of Jerusalem and the Middle East, with the sermon preached by Archbishop Sarah Mullally, Archbishop of Canterbury. Delegates were then commissioned to return to their own provinces, carrying forward the conversations, friendships and shared commitment to the Church’s mission that had characterised the week together.

ACC-19 reflected the remarkable breadth of the Anglican Communion, bringing together representatives from churches serving in widely differing contexts across the world. Through worship, conversation and shared discernment, delegates explored how Anglicans can continue to learn from one another while remaining united in their common calling to proclaim the Gospel and serve their communities. For Cork, Cloyne and Ross, it was a privilege both to contribute to those conversations and to play a part in welcoming the Anglican Communion to the island of Ireland.