The Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf held a Zoom Synod yesterday (17 September), drawing together members of the House of Laity and House of Clergy to hear updates from working groups on reviewing the Diocesan Constitution and enhanced episcopal leadership in the Gulf archdeaconry, and on the Ministry programme and safeguarding, as well as reports on the recent Provincial Youth Conference held in Famagusta in northern Cyprus.
The structure and finances of the Diocese were a focus of much of the meeting—issues Bishop Sean met head on in his Presidential Address, which opened with a reading from Luke 8.22-25:
“One day Jesus got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, ‘Let us go across to the other side of the lake.’ So they put out, and while they were sailing he fell asleep. A gale swept down on the lake, and the boat was filling with water, and they were in danger. They went to him and woke him up, shouting, ‘Master, Master, we are perishing!’ And he woke up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves; they ceased, and there was a calm. He said to them, ‘Where is your faith?’ They were afraid and amazed, and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him?’
“Conventional wisdom suggests that anyone in a new role spends their first 6 months observing, listening and asking questions. In the 4 months since my consecration, I have attempted to do precisely this by visiting just over half the parishes of the diocese, and spending quality time during these visits with both clergy and laity.
“Two topics have dominated most conversations: finance, and the future of the diocese. These two concerns have largely ‘set the weather’ for the diocese, and it is clear that we find ourselves in something of a storm. It will not be helpful to either deny the challenges we face, or to panic. Like the disciples 2000 years ago on Lake Gennesaret we must turn to Christ who is with us in the midst of the storm.”
Bishop Sean concluded his address by saying:
“I believe it is clear that the Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf needs structural, missional, canonical, and practical renewal and reform as it approaches its 50th year of existence. We cannot be held hostage to the past nor to any particular national Anglican tradition. Rather in learning from the past; adopting best practice from our wider Anglican family; and being led by God’s Spirit this diocese can be moulded into an institution that is fit for purpose, and has the resilience to face the geopolitical storms so characteristic of this region.
“The well-known image of a potter and clay from the prophet Jeremiah comes to mind. What had become spoiled in the potter’s hand, was reworked into another vessel, as seemed good to him. In faith, we pray that God would rework the clay of this diocese, as seems good to him.”
Synod will next convene in person, in February 2025 in Larnaca, Cyprus
