The Church Of Ireland
Press Release

Speaking at the Autumn Gathering of the Irish Council of Churches (ICC) held today at Mount Oliver, Dundalk, the Council's President, Rev Dr Ian Ellis, commented as follows on the recent Vatican Declaration, Dominus Iesus:

"Dominus Iesus discusses both inter-faith and inter-church relations. Particularly in relation to the former, there is a clear affirmation of the uniqueness of the revelation found in Jesus Christ. I welcome that wholeheartedly. In terms of inter-church relations, however, Dominus Iesus appears to go no further than to re-state the position of the Roman Catholic Church as enunciated at the Second Vatican Council in the mid-1960s. Certain Christian churches are described as not being churches "in the proper sense". So much theological work in so many theological dialogues over the past thirty years could have led to a more creative approach. However, this challenge to ecumenism comes as a reminder that the path of Christian discipleship always requires both patience and perseverance as well as faith itself. The churches in Ireland must continue to work in that spirit towards closer co-operation and a deepening of relationships. I hope that in the near future representatives of the churches in membership of this Council will be able to discuss Dominus Iesus together with representatives of the Roman Catholic Church."

There are eleven member-churches of the ICC, including the three main Protestant denominations.

The main session of the Gathering is on the theme 'Refugees and Asylum Seekers' in the Republic of Ireland led by Mr. Jerome Connolly of the Irish Commission of Justice and Peace. The Commission co-ordinates the Churches' Asylum Network. A number of other people will also speak on how the presence of refugees and asylum seekers has affected their church.