The Church of Ireland primate Archbishop Robin Eames has said that, where he is concerned, the controversy surrounding the concelebrated Easter Sunday Mass at Drogheda in which a Church of Ireland minister took part, "the matter is closed." Drogheda is in Archbishop Eames's diocese of Armagh.
He said he had "a long chat" with Rev Michael Graham, the minister concerned, in which they had "gone through every detail of what was done" and that the matter was now "totally closed" with the Rev Graham continuing as rector of Drogheda.
Commenting on the timing of his announcement yesterday that he is to retire at the end of the year, he said he was anxious his successor should have enough time to establish himself before the next Lambeth Conference, which is to take place in 2008.
In his presidential address he called for both communities in the North to take practical action where policing and power-sharing were concerned. Unionists should move on from "the age-old constitutional issue" to concentrate on achieving "a fair, stable and just government for all the people of this province."
Nationalists "should embrace the confidence that their rights and place of equality in Northern Ireland are assured".
Confidence was encouraged by "practical actions rather than by negative rhetoric. For example, on one side full involvement in the control and administration of policing, while on the other confidence that powers-sharing will not be surrender of deeply held principles," he said.
He told the General Synod that "serious concerns are being expressed surrounding the Adelaide and Meath hospitals incorporating the National Children's Hospital in Tallaght, Dublin". The hospital provided "for the continuation of the particular inclusive medical ethos long cherished by this church and the other Protestant Churches. It also provided a significant place for this ethos in the delivery of paediatric services," he said.
He referred to a lecture by Prof Brendan Drumm, chief executive of the HSE, on March 21st last, where he spoke of the need to plan for functional co-operation North and South where possible.
Archbishop Eames continued that Tallaght hospital had "an inclusive vision for healthcare of men, women and children - treating each patient as they would wish to be treated - a vision ever more relevant in an increasingly diverse society. We are proud that this hospital is a focus for the Protestant contribution to healthcare".
