‘Celebrate the distinctiveness of our schools’

Churches should be prepared to celebrate the distinctiveness of the schools in which they have a role and actively promote them for the value they bring, Church of Ireland bishop Ian Ellis has remarked while reflecting on this vital area of outreach and influence in local community life.

Bishop Ellis was speaking in the course of his Presidential Address to the Diocese of Clogher’s Diocesan Synod (its annual general meeting) which took place on Thursday, 26th September, in Enniskillen.

“I am constantly amazed how God uses our experiences and background for his purposes in our ministry,” he remarked. “I began my working career as a teacher before feeling the call of God to ordained ministry.  And all through my ministry, that educational background has been helpful in the schools I have been privileged to be associated with.”

The bishop has recently been elected to chair the Board of Governors of Enniskillen Royal Grammar School and, in leading a cross-border diocese, is also patron to four national schools in County Monaghan and joint patron of Monaghan Collegiate School.

“Like many clergy in these educational roles, they demand quite a bit of our time, but they are vital links to the wider community and express not just our historic role in education but also the outreach and influence of the church in the public square.”

Bishop Ellis continued: “There are some in wider society who are critical of denominational education particularly in the Republic of Ireland.  We should not take our position for granted but be prepared to celebrate the distinctiveness of our schools and actively promote them for the value they bring to the education of children and their contribution to diversity in wider society. We must cherish this gift we have to offer to parents and children of education in schools under Church of Ireland patronage and ensure that they continue to flourish.”