Tackling sectarianism and racism will be two of the major themes to be debated by more than 600 representatives at the Church of Ireland's General Synod 2000 in the Waterfront Hall in Belfast next week.
This year's synod, which will be co-chaired by the Primate of All Ireland, Archbishop Robin Eames, and the Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Walton Empey, will consider 19 reports on a range of topics.
Special emphasis will be placed on a standing committee report, "Living With Difference", which urges people to "recognise and respond creatively to change, particularly to change which is perceived to be threatening". It acknowledges that sectarianism is a "major feature of life throughout Ireland", and proposes pilot projects to help promote greater understanding.
While noting that last year's Drumcree protest passed peacefully, the report expresses regret that the synod's wishes were ignored by the local rector. The Rev John Pickering did not acknowledge a letter from last year's synod asking him to withdraw his invitation to the Orange Order on "Drumcree Sunday".
A spokesman for Portadown Orange district yesterday invited synod delegates to visit Drumcree next week. "If we knew exactly when they were coming we would make ourselves available to speak with them and explain our position in relation to the ongoing Drumcree protest. Any visit by the clergy would be beneficial and most welcome," Mr David Jones added.
The synod's report acknowledges the issue of asylum-seekers and refugees as one of the most pressing facing Ireland. "Ireland is becoming a multicultural society. Immigration, especially from central and eastern Europe and from Africa, shows every sign of increasing and it is imperative that State policy in the matter should be humane."
Church of Ireland sources yesterday commended the Catholic Church on its statement on the asylum issue and questioned the Government's dispersal policy. Putting asylum-seekers into small villages without proper preparation enabled certain elements to stir up racist sentiments, one source said.
The situation in the North, where a proportion of asylum-seekers were held in high-security prisons, was "completely unsatisfactory" in a society based on humanitarianism, the source added.
The general synod will be addressing the church's difficulties in attracting parishioners in inner-city areas. A report on ministry concludes that "demographic change is at a level perhaps unprecedented since the time of the Great Famine".