DI sent out, “Early response of DI trust to events in Core Fri 13 Feb 2004,” to a group of Church of Ireland people.
I did not copy the Archbishop John Neil.
However, one of these sent it on to the Archbishop as I had said that they were free to do so. This is his view of the Archbishops response:
Mike,
John Neill is trying to unscrew the inscrutable, I think.
He is closing off all loose ends with a view to containing the problem ecclesiastically in the C of I.
However, I think the point has been made by you and DI that this is much wider than that one church and that one leader.
xxxxx rang me up but says his short-term memory is very unstable and he couldn’t remember too well, either, as far back as when you saw Walton. I gather you are seeing him on Thursday? Now that John has put the fire blanket over things – for the time being – I think you can be fairly relaxed with xxxxx. He himself needs much encouragement, so it would be good to pray with him. This week he is somewhat better as he has been told he can have a curate after summer, which must be a great relief.
You may want to put in your diary for Holy Week the services at DEC from Monday to Friday at 8 with Dick Lucas.
Bon courage!
xxxxx
Location: xxxxx
The Archbishop replied as follows:
From: “Most Revd. Dr.John Neill” <abdublin@eircom.net>
To: “Dialogue Ireland” <dialogueireland@esatclear.ie>
Subject: Re: CORE
Date: Mon, 16 Feb 2004 17:12:15 -0000
Thank you for your communication. xxxxx had in fact forwarded it to me, so
I have had time to reflect on it. There is nothing in it that impinges on
the present situation. I am not aware that Willi Stewart has resigned as
you put it. He is standing back from his ministry at the present time. I
am not aware that Willi Stewart was ever made a canon, in fact he was not.
He was made a minor canon when CORE moved as this roots him into the parish
in which CORE is situated – the St.Patrick’s Group. A minor canon is the
equivalent of an honorary curate assistant in the Cathedral to help with
daily worship. In this way he was linked strongly into the Church of
Ireland structures. I am fully aware of the seriousness of the present
situation in CORE but am fully in touch with the situation from both
congregation, leadership and Willi himself. So unless there is some
allegation of a serious nature other than style of leadership, or the actual
incidents which have surfaced (none involving minors) there is no need to
meet at this stage.
Yours sincerely,
+John Dublin:
Mon 16 Feb.
Dear Archbishop Neill,
I can understand your feelings about not sending you material directly. I had decided to bring it up in the first place with the C of I members of the trust. I asked them to forward them onto you if they felt it was right to do so. Below you will find the email as now xxxxx and xxxxx suggest I meet you directly. Below would be my considered view on the situation.
Baden and I may have a different memory about the contents of our meeting with Archbishop Empey; however, at this stage it is academic as the situation has led to his resignation.
I am available at any time to discuss this, though what I have to offer may be limited.
Regards
Mike Garde
Dear John,
Thank you for your prompt response and for clarifying a few points.
I will reply in capitals in your text:
At 17:12 16/02/04 -0000, you wrote:
Thank you for your communication. xxxxx had in fact forwarded it to me, so
I have had time to reflect on it.
I AM GLAD YOU HAD TIME TO LOOK AT IT.
There is nothing in it that impinges on the present situation. I am not aware that Willi Stewart has resigned as you put it.
THAT WAS A BAD CHOICE OF WORDS- STEPPING DOWN I SHOULD HAVE SAID
He is standing back from his ministry at the present time. I am not aware that Willi Stewart was ever made a canon, in fact he was not.
He was made a minor canon when CORE moved as this roots him into the parish
in which CORE is situated – the St.Patrick’s Group. A minor canon is the
equivalent of an honorary curate assistant in the Cathedral to help with
daily worship. In this way he was linked strongly into the Church of
Ireland structures.
THAT WAS A HELPFUL CLARIFICATION. IT WAS A MEANS TO BRING HIM DEEPER IN. I ACCEPT THAT AND WITHDRAW THAT COMMENT, OTHER THAN TO SAY THAT AFTER WE VISITED AB EMPEY WE HAD NO SENSE THAT ANYTHING CONCRETE HAPPENED
I am fully aware of the seriousness of the present
situation in CORE but am fully in touch with the situation from both
congregation, leadership and Willi himself. So unless there is some
allegation of a serious nature
I HAVE NO ALLEGATIONS TO MAKE BEYOND WHAT YOU ALREADY KNOW.
other than style of leadership,
AS YOU WOULD HAVE SEEN FROM MY MAIL, I DO BELIEVE YOU CAN’T SEPARATE THE POWER ISSUE FROM THE OTHER ISSUES.
AS I HAVE SENT MY COMMENTS TO A TRUSTEE OF CORE THEY CAN EVALUATE MY OBSERVATIONS IN RELATION TO THE GREAT CONFUSION, ANGER AND OTHER EMOTIONS NOW PRESENT THERE. ALSO IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN DAMAGED NEED TO BE GIVEN SPACE TO TELL THEIR STORY. IN ANY CASE I AM SURE WILL NOTE MY COMMENTS AS SOMEONE WHO WAS IN CORE FOR 5 YEARS AND AS SOMEONE WHO HAS REFLECTED ON THEIR EXPERIENCE.
or the actual incidents which have surfaced (none involving minors) there is no need to meet at this stage.
AGAIN THANK YOU FOR YOUR REPLY AND I HOPE GOD WILL GIVE YOU ALL THE WISDOM THAT THIS DIFFICULT SITUATION REQUIRES.
Yours sincerely, REGARDS
+John Dublin: MIKE
Filed under: Abuse, Evangelicalism
