Editing Church of Ireland (section)

==Present==
===Membership===
The Church of Ireland experienced a major decline in membership during the 20th century, both in Northern Ireland, where around 65% of its members live, and in the Republic of Ireland. The church is still the second-largest in the [[Republic of Ireland]], with 126,414 members in 2016 (minus 2% compared to the 2011 census results)<ref name="Census 2016 Results">[http://www.thejournal.ie/census-2016-statistics-3326599-Apr2017/ ''Census 2016 Results''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413201736/https://www.thejournal.ie/census-2016-statistics-3326599-Apr2017/ |date=13 April 2019 }}.</ref> and the third-largest in [[Northern Ireland]], with around 260,000 members.<ref name=2011ks>{{cite web |title = Census 2011: Key Statistics for Northern Ireland |url = http://www.nisra.gov.uk/Census/key_stats_bulletin_2011.pdf |website = nisra.gov.uk |access-date = 11 December 2012 |archive-date = 3 February 2017 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170203000751/http://www.nisra.gov.uk/Census/key_stats_bulletin_2011.pdf |url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="nisra.gov.uk">{{Cite web |url=http://www.nisra.gov.uk/Census/key_report_2011.pdf |title=2011 Census, Key Statistics for Northern Ireland, December 2012, p. 19. |access-date=12 February 2013 |archive-date=25 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130225130545/http://www.nisra.gov.uk/Census/key_report_2011.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The most recently available figures published by the Church of Ireland, dating to 2013, found that average Sunday attendance across the church was 58,257, with 74 per cent of this attendance in the [[Province of Armagh (Church of Ireland)|Province of Armagh]]. Attendance varied strongly across dioceses; the most-attended diocese was Down and Dromore, with 12,731 in average Sunday attendance, while the least-attended was [[Diocese of Meath and Kildare|Meath and Kildare]] with 1,463.<ref name="CofI-Census-2013">{{cite journal |title=Bill No. 7 - Explanatory Memorandum |journal=Journal of the First Ordinary Session of the Fiftieth General Synod of the Church of Ireland |date=2018 |page=lv |url=https://www.ireland.anglican.org/cmsfiles/pdf/Synod/2018/Journal2018.pdf |access-date=18 April 2022}}</ref> Similarly, in 2016, a peer-reviewed study published in the ''[[Journal of Anglican Studies]]'' by [[Cambridge University Press & Assessment|Cambridge University Press]] found that the Church of Ireland has approximately 384,176 total members and 58,000 active baptised members.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Muñoz|first=Daniel|date=2015-10-26|title=North to South: A Reappraisal of Anglican Communion Membership Figures|journal=[[Journal of Anglican Studies]]|volume=14|issue=1|pages=71–95|doi=10.1017/s1740355315000212|issn=1740-3553|doi-access=free}}</ref>

===Cathedrals===
The Church of Ireland has two cathedrals in Dublin: within the line of the walls of the old city is [[Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin|Christ Church Cathedral]], the seat of the Archbishop of Dublin, and just outside the old walls is [[St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin|St Patrick's Cathedral]], which the church designated as the National Cathedral for Ireland in 1870. Cathedrals also exist in the other dioceses.

There is also the metropolitan cathedral church of Ireland, situated in Armagh, [[St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh (Church of Ireland)|St Patrick's Cathedral]]. This cathedral is the seat of the archbishop and metropolitan, [[the Most Reverend]] [[John McDowell (bishop)|John McDowell]].

===Offices, training of priests and teachers===
The church's central offices are in [[Rathmines]], adjacent to the former [[Church of Ireland College of Education]], and the church's library is in Churchtown. Teacher training now occurs within the [[Dublin City University]] Institute of Education, overseen by the Church of Ireland Centre, based at the former [[All Hallows College]]. The church operates a seminary, the [[Church of Ireland Theological Institute]], in [[Rathgar]], in the south inner suburbs of Dublin. 

===Education of youth===
{{also|Denominational education in the Republic of Ireland}}

===Anglican Communion===
[[File:Saul church County Down sign.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.0|[[Saul, County Down|Saul]] church, a modern replica of an early church with a [[Irish round tower|round tower]], is built on the reputed spot of [[Saint Patrick|St Patrick's]] first church in Ireland.]]
The churches of the Anglican Communion are linked by affection and common loyalty. They are in full communion with the [[Episcopal see|See]] [[Archdiocese of Canterbury|of Canterbury]] and thus the [[Archbishop of Canterbury]], in his person, is a unique focus of Anglican unity. He calls the once-a-decade Lambeth Conference, chairs the meeting of Primates, and is President of the Anglican Consultative Council.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.anglicancommunion.org/resources/acis/docs/unity.cfm |title=Anglican Communion Official Website. |access-date=22 June 2011 |archive-date=29 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629194420/http://www.anglicancommunion.org/resources/acis/docs/unity.cfm |url-status=live }}</ref> The contemporary Church of Ireland, despite having a number of [[High Church]] (often described as [[Anglo-Catholic]]) parishes, is generally on the [[Low Church]] end of the spectrum of world [[Anglicanism]]. Historically, it had little of the difference in churchmanship between parishes characteristic of other Anglican provinces, although a number of markedly liberal, High Church or [[Evangelicalism|Evangelical]] parishes have developed in recent decades. It was the second province of the Anglican Communion after the [[Anglican Church of New Zealand]] (1857) to adopt, on its 1871 disestablishment, [[Synod|synodical government]]. It was also one of the first provinces to begin ordaining women to the priesthood (1991).

====Relation with the GAFCON movement====
[[Global Anglican Future Conference|GAFCON]] Ireland was launched on 21 April 2018, in [[Belfast]], with 320 attendees from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. International speakers included Archbishops [[Peter Jensen (bishop)|Peter Jensen]] (retired Archbishop of [[Anglican Diocese of Sydney|Sydney]]) and [[Gregory Venables]] (Primate of the [[Anglican Church of South America]]).<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gafcon.org/news/bringing-the-true-gospel-of-jesus-christ-to-ireland |title=Bringing the true Gospel of Jesus Christ to Ireland, GAFCON official website, 26 April 2018 |access-date=18 August 2018 |archive-date=19 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819051423/https://www.gafcon.org/news/bringing-the-true-gospel-of-jesus-christ-to-ireland |url-status=live }}</ref> The Church of Ireland was represented at [[Global Anglican Future Conference|GAFCON III]], held on 17–22 June 2018 in [[Jerusalem]], by a six-member delegation which included two bishops; [[Ferran Glenfield]] of [[Diocese of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh|Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh]] and [[Harold Miller (bishop)|Harold Miller]] of [[Diocese of Down and Dromore|Down and Dromore]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://anglicanink.com/article/gafcon-iii-largest-pan-anglican-gathering-toronto-congress-1963 |title=GAFCON III largest pan-Anglican gathering since Toronto Congress of 1963, Anglican Ink, 20 June 2018 |access-date=19 August 2018 |archive-date=19 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819051354/http://anglicanink.com/article/gafcon-iii-largest-pan-anglican-gathering-toronto-congress-1963 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.downanddromore.org/news/2018/06/Bishop-Harold-reflects-on-his-experience-of-the-recent-GAFCON-conference#.W3i2o-j7QdV |title="Bishop Harold reflects on his experience of the recent GAFCON conference", Diocese of Down and Dromore official website, 25 June 2018 |access-date=19 August 2018 |archive-date=19 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819051223/https://www.downanddromore.org/news/2018/06/Bishop-Harold-reflects-on-his-experience-of-the-recent-GAFCON-conference#.W3i2o-j7QdV |url-status=live }}</ref> Their participation was criticised by some members of the Church of Ireland.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/religion-and-beliefs/bishops-presence-at-gafcon-an-absolute-disgrace-1.3542265|title=Bishops' presence at Gafcon an 'absolute disgrace'|last=McGaNry|first=Patsy|newspaper=The Irish Times|language=en|access-date=2019-10-01|archive-date=20 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220012508/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/religion-and-beliefs/bishops-presence-at-gafcon-an-absolute-disgrace-1.3542265|url-status=live}}</ref> The Church of Ireland is not a member of GAFCON and the church communicated that attendance by clergy was unofficial in "a personal capacity" and the General Synod has voted against GAFCON's statement on the Lambeth Conference.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2018/29-june/news/world/irish-gafcon-participants-are-out-of-touch-with-laity|title=Irish GAFCON participants are 'out of touch with laity'|last=Ryan|first=Gregg|date=29 June 2018|website=Church Times|access-date=1 October 2019|archive-date=1 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001031319/https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2018/29-june/news/world/irish-gafcon-participants-are-out-of-touch-with-laity|url-status=live}}</ref> GAFCON supporters refuted their critics claims, saying that they endorse Lambeth 1.10 resolution on human sexuality, which is still the official stance of the Church of Ireland, but has been rejected by the liberal provinces of the [[Anglican Communion]]. The Rev. Charles Raven stated: "the charge that GAFCON is a breakaway or separatist group is not supported by the evidence. It is a movement of reform and revitalisation which has enabled faithful Anglicans to remain within the Communion, especially in North America and Brazil. While being clear that participation in its common life is based upon fidelity to the biblical gospel, not merely upon historic ties, the Jerusalem Statement and Declaration of 2008 says quite unequivocally that 'Our fellowship is not breaking away from the Anglican Communion'."<ref>[https://www.gafcon.org/news/authentic-anglicanism-and-false-fears "Authentic Anglicanism and False Fears"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200411183319/https://www.gafcon.org/news/authentic-anglicanism-and-false-fears%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR2CkyUcxsuDYmTJeIe6Huj31ZqTbwKMt7RKN0ZTGGRbDJbX_BNbbInFDOE |date=11 April 2020 }}, GAFCON official website, 28 January 2020.</ref>

===Ecumenical relations===
Like many other Anglican churches, the Church of Ireland is a member of many ecumenical bodies, including the [[World Council of Churches]], the [[Conference of European Churches]], [[Churches Together in Britain and Ireland]] and the [[Irish Council of Churches]]. It is also a member of the [[Porvoo Communion]].

===Flags===
[[File:St Patrick's saltire.svg|thumb|right|upright=1.0|[[St Patrick's flag]]]]

In 1999,<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Journal of the General Synod of the Church of Ireland 1999|url=https://www.ireland.anglican.org/cmsfiles/pdf/Synod/Journal1999.pdf|journal=1999|page=69|access-date=19 September 2018|archive-date=26 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926212933/https://www.ireland.anglican.org/cmsfiles/pdf/Synod/Journal1999.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> the church voted to prohibit the flying of flags other than [[St Patrick's flag]] and the [[Flag of the Anglican Communion]].<ref>Flags of the World: [http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/ie-stpat.html#cofi St. Patrick's Flag as flag of Church of Ireland] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080618211832/http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/ie-stpat.html#cofi |date=18 June 2008 }}: "The General Synod of the Church of Ireland recognises that from time to time confusion and controversy have attended the flying of flags on church buildings or within the grounds of church buildings. This Synod therefore resolves that the only flags specifically authorised to be flown on church buildings or within the church grounds of the Church of Ireland are the cross of St Patrick or, alternatively, the flag of the Anglican Communion bearing the emblem of the Compassrose. Such flags are authorised to be flown only on Holy Days and during the Octaves of Christmas, Easter, the Ascension of Our Lord, Pentecost, and on any other such day as may be recognised locally as the Dedication Day of the particular church building. Any other flag flown at any other time is not specifically authorised by this Church ..."</ref> However, the [[Union Flag]] continues to fly on many churches in [[Northern Ireland]].

===Publications===
The church has an official website. Its journal is ''[[The Church of Ireland Gazette]]'', which is editorially independent, but the governing body of which is appointed by the church. Many parishes and other internal organizations also produce newsletters or other publications, as well as maintaining websites.