An address to the Churches Together in Britain and Ireland assembly by the Bishop of Clogher, the Rt Rev Michael Jackson on 23 February 2005

Some Reflections on Future Directions for Ecumenism

Small writ large, large writ small

When we lived in Cork I had someone come one day to install a Burglar Alarm System. With an intonation in his voice all of his own, which it would be both impertinent and impossible to imitate, he said to me: Twenty years ago, people wanted an Alarm installed because they were out of the house a lot; today they want one installed because they are in the house a lot. Not only had circumstances changed but perspectives had also changed, as indeed had priorities. We too are about such a shift in emphasis and expectation here in the CTBI Assembly. We seek a perspective on the past in order to help to illuminate the priorities of the future. If we are not to become rooted once again in present structures this will require some thinking on our part 'outside of the box.' This is all the more necessary as the Assembly seeks a sense of fresh direction.

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