27.02.2012
‘SOBER REFLECTIONS’ Church of Ireland Conference to Provide an Historical and Theological Evaluation of the Legacy of the Ulster Solemn League & Covenant, Saturday 24 March 2012
The period 1912–1922 is a ‘Decade of Centenaries’, when significant events in Irish history will be commemorated. To assist in thinking through how these centenaries might be addressed historically, ethically and responsibly by 21st–century Christians, a number of events are being planned over time by the Church of Ireland (at the request of the Standing Committee of the General Synod of the Church).
The first of these is to be a conference focusing on the Ulster Solemn League and Covenant of 1912. The conference, entitled ‘Sober Reflections’, will look at the historical detail and context of the Covenant and also try to reflect theologically on the how the Covenant might be addressed by the contemporary Christian conscience. The one–day event will take place on Saturday 24 March from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm at Moira Parish Centre, Co Down.
Professor Paul Bew (Lord Bew of Donegore) will give an overview of historical forces which gave rise to the Covenant and its significance to the political and social development of Ireland, north and south. Dr Andrew Scholes will examine the particular role and reaction of the Church of Ireland in the making and signing of the Covenant. Dr Andrew Pierce, a programme director at the Irish School of Ecumenics (ISE), will consider theological methods of addressing a divisive historical event in a more ecumenical age. Dr Johnston McMaster of the ISE based in Northern Ireland will share his recent work of theological reflection on The Covenant and of how modern Christians might engage positively with it. The Conference will be chaired by Professor David Hayton of QUB.