The Church Of Ireland
Press Release

The Church of Ireland Priorities Fund has set aside £100,000 over the next 3 years for projects which promote Reconciliation and Outreach by the Church in the life of the Community which it seeks to serve.

In determining some new directions for funding, the Priorities Committee has decided to allocate this substantial sum to be divided among a small number of projects over the next 3 years.

The Committee of the Priorities Fund has resolved not to define in detail what types of projects will be supported but will be looking for innovative ways in which the concept of Reconciliation and Outreach could be carried out by the Church in society.

The number of projects selected for funding over the next three years will receive funds in the order of £5,000 to £10,000 each year as 'seed-funding' enabling projects to commence new ministries in this area.

Over the 20 years since its inception the Priorities Fund has distributed over £6 million to various projects covering support for ministry, education, community projects, retirement benefits to clergy and areas of special need. The Committee over the years has been made up of clergy and laity from nearly all the Dioceses in the Church of Ireland. The current committee appointed this year is:

Canon Joe Condell, Chairman, (Limerick and Killaloe)
Wilfred Young (Armagh)
Dean Thomas Moore (Clogher)
Andrea Wills (Tuam)
Canon Ian Gallagher (Elphin and Ardagh)
Roy Totten (Connor)
Joan Bruton (Meath and Kildare)

The organiser of the Fund, who works from Church of Ireland House, Dublin, is Sylvia Simpson.

Enquiries for funding for Reconciliation and Outreach Projects should be made in the first instance (in writing) to:

The Organiser of the Priorities Fund,
Mrs Sylvia Simpson,
Church of Ireland House,
Church Avenue,
Rathmines,
Dublin 6.

The deadline for receipt of completed applications is 28th February 2001 and allocations will be made in April 2001.