The Bishop of Connor, the Rt Revd Alan Harper and the Bishop of Edinburgh, the Rt Revd Brian Smith were present with delegations from their two dioceses in St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast on Sunday October 24th to celebrate the establishment of a formal Diocesan Companionship Link . The Agreement between the two dioceses was signed at a Celebration of Choral Eucharist at 3.30pm at which the Bishop of Connor will presided and preached. On the Sunday following, 31st October, a delegation from Connor visited Edinburgh for the signing of the Agreement in St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral during a Festal Evensong.(Pictures - click here)
The text of the Agreement between the Diocese of Connor and the Diocese of Edinburgh, member dioceses of the Anglican Communion of Churches reads as follows:

We see ourselves as pilgrims,
journeying together
as companions,
exploring the challenges of the Gospel.
OUR MISSION
Is
to develop links of friendship and partnership among
individuals and congregations
and between our two dioceses,
in ways which are
imaginative
sustainable
practical
effective
enriching
and fun.
OUR INTENTION IS
to empower our Christian witness through
listening to each other
learning from each other
supporting each other
challenging each other
and thereby
encouraging the development of mutual understanding
between the people
 of Northern Ireland and Scotland 

This partnership is for an initial period of five years
and is renewable by mutual agreement.

In response to our understanding of God’s call to us, we commit ourselves in prayer to the fulfilment of these intentions.

 In addition to signature by the bishops the Agreement will also be signed by Mr Robert H Kay on behalf of the Diocese of Connor and by Mrs Anne F Pankhurst on behalf of the Diocese of Edinburgh.

The two dioceses consulted together over a two year period in preparation for the formal establishment of the partnership link. Both Diocesan Synods approved the Agreement. By sheer coincidence the formal signing of the Agreement takes place within a week of the publication of the Windsor Report which deals with the how to deal with division and disagreement within the Anglican Communion. The establishment of a formal link between dioceses of different churches, autonomous provinces of the worldwide Anglican Communion illustrates the other face of Anglicanism with those strong bonds of respect, friendship and mutuality in worship, ministry and mission that draw Anglicans together. It illustrates an instinct to learn from and grow with one another resulting in mutual enrichment. Already, from what has been shared in preparing for this partnership, both dioceses have been significantly enriched.