The Church Of Ireland
Press Release

Isaiah 35 v.5 "Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped."

One of the most used words in Church circles today at the commencement of a new millennium is the word 'vision'. As you meet here in Belfast, the first time the General Meeting has visited Ireland, I want to reflect on how that challenge faces the world-wide Mothers' Union - a vital part of the world Church.

I pay tribute to the life and witness of the Mothers' Union through the generations. Across the world your one million members are a shining example of faithfulness, service and witness. Your great movement has done much to remind the Church that the role of Christian women has moved on from mere service to leadership. In Ireland, as in so many countries, parishes and dioceses have depended on your work in a great many ways. Now we see in new ways what you are saying to us about the role of dedicated women in the leadership and witness of the Anglican Communion. As you prompt us to address human rights for women, the needs of families and the cries of the poor, you prompt our conscience you make us think and rethink and you talk to us about priorities.

At this stage in your development as a world movement I believe there are two aspects of vision we should reflect on.

First: vision comes from experience.

Christ taught us the importance of learning from experience. Time again His teaching stemmed from actual, everyday events. That teaching, rooted in actual experience, allowed His listeners to understand His words clearly. It was the reality of experience which allowed the 'eyes of blind' to see clearly and 'the ears of the deaf' to hear.

Today you have spoken to us of the shame of the deprived in areas of immense suffering and injustice. Today you have told us of the injustice of Third World Debt as it affects families and particularly children. Today you have told us of the pressures here in the West on traditional family values. Today you have told the story of oppression, intimidation and violence directed against women in parts of the world. In these islands you have spearheaded the calls to the conscience of society in the injustices of poverty and drawn attention to human rights.

Second, vision comes from confidence.

Today the Christian Church needs a new confidence in its divine mission. That confidence is needed as we face criticism as well as indifference, accusations of irrelevance, lack of faith and failure to translate the words of pulpit and sanctuary into actions the market-place will understand.

Your work has reminded us that relevance comes from action - not just words. In prisons you have reached out to the needs of women. In communities of social need you have brought practical comfort. In housing estates you have brought practical support. In broken families have brought fresh hope. You have reminded the Church of priorities in community care. 'Actions speak louder than words' - and I affirm the ways you have prompted the Church of which you are such an important part to think but also to act.

As the Mothers' Union moves into the new millennium, adaptation, changes of course, relevance to actual situations, be they in Sierra Leone, South America or in these islands, all speak of turning blindness and deafness to actual situations into a reaching out in the name of Christ.

I thank God for what you are doing. May the Church long listen and see what you are saying to the rest of us .....