8 May 2003

Press Facilities

The General Synod is open to the press and every effort will be made to help journalists access information, photographs, interviews and spokespersons over the three days. The following sets out the basic arrangements and a general outline of this year's business agenda. It is hoped to stick to the timetable but some items may be carried over to the following day.

STILLORGAN PARK HOTEL, STILLORGAN ROAD, DUBLIN SOUTH

TUESDAY, 13 May to THURSDAY, 15 MAY

Synod Press Centre is in the Sandyford Room on the ground floor.

Press Officer: Rev Brian Parker (m) 07775 927 807

Press Centre Numbers: Tel: (01) (003531) 2881621
Fax: (01) (003531) 2831610
E mail:Press Officer

Synod Website: Reports and information will be posted daily on the website and there is also access to general background information on a range of topics and issues.

http://synod.ireland.anglican.org

Synod Structure

The Synod consists of three Orders: the Bishops, Clergy and Laity. These sit together as two Houses: the House of Bishops and the House of Representatives. The Archbishops and Bishops sit as the House of Bishops. The diocesan synods elect the members of the House of Representatives, who hold office for a triennium. The Archbishop of Armagh is President of the General Synod. The representation from the 12 dioceses numbers 216 clerical, 432 lay.

There will be a press conference on each of the three days in the Synod Press Centre at 1pm. The conference will cover the main topic of the day. There will also be other opportunities to meet speakers and representatives at various times throughout the three days.

The Synod Press Centre will be open from 0830 hours each day. Diocesan Communications Officers will be available to deal with specific diocesan issues and arrange interviews.

DAY ONE TUESDAY, 13 MAY

President takes the chair at 11am.

PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS: ARCHBISHOP ROBIN EAMES

President's Press Conference in the Synod Press Centre at 1pm

Liturgical Bills/Business Motions/Liturgical Advisory Committee Report.

This is expected to mark the conclusion of work on the new Book of Common Prayer due to be published in the Spring of 2004. Bishop Richard Clarke of Meath and Kildare, speaks of liturgy as 'a weapon of mission'. Canon Ricky Rountree is Central Liturgical Officer. Canon Brian Mayne is Editor of the new book. Bishop Harold Miller of Down and Dromore is chairman of the Liturgical Advisory Committee. See Book of Reports p 351-353.

Pensions Board Report. See Book of Reports p 101-140/p 32-34

Establishment of Severance Fund for Clergy. See Book of Reports p 50.

Mr Hilary Morrison, Diocese of Connor, will report on investment returns and improvements in pension benefits for clergy and widows over the last 27 years.

The General Synod Service will be held in ST PATRICK'S CATHEDRAL at 7.30pm. The celebrant will be the Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Revd John Neill and the preacher will be the Rt Revd Michael Marshall, Incumbent of Holy Trinity, Sloane Square, London.

DAY TWO WEDNESDAY, 14 MAY

Business starts at 10 am

Representative Church Body Report. See Book of Reports p 2-100.

THE HARD GOSPEL
UNIQUE SURVEY OF ATTITUDES TO SECTARIANISM

Presentation of one of the most comprehensive pieces of research yet attempted into one church or denomination in Ireland and their attitudes to and experiences of sectarianism. Bishop Alan Harper of Connor is chairman of the Church's Sectarian Education Project and Dr Gareth Higgins is author of 'The Hard Gospel'. See Book of Reports p161/ p266

Press Conference in the Synod Press Centre at 1pm.

'The Hard Gospel'. Bishop Alan Harper and Dr Gareth Higgins

Standing Committee Report. See Book of Reports p141-283
Presented by Mr Wilfred Baker, Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross.

This includes:
Synodical Reform, p162/p269;
Sustainable Development, p235-242;
Marriage Law Reform, p154;
Church in Society, p201;
Church of Ireland/Methodist Covenant/Covenant Council, p152/163/182;
Disability Policy Statement, p155(p77);
New Book of Common Prayer, p160/190/264
Bishops Appeal, p172

Commission on Ministry
Chairman is the Most Rev Richard Clarke, Bishop of Meath and Kildare
See Book of Reports p355-380
The Rt Rev Ken Good, Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, will review progress since the Commission was set up in 1996 and stress the high calling of the ordained ministry.

Church's Ministry of Healing See Book of Reports p385

DAY THREE THURSDAY, 15 MAY

Business starts at 10am

Bills as ordered on the first day.

EDUCATION
The Most Revd Dr Robin Eames, Archbishop of Armagh is chairman of the Board of Education (NI) and the Most Rev John Neill, Archbishop of Dublin, is chairman of the Board of Education (RI).

The Rt Revd Ken Clarke, Bishop of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh, will address issues in education in RI, including teacher training and the schools building programme. Mr Wilfred Young, Diocese of Armagh, will speak on current educational issues in NI including comments on the post-primary review. See Book of Reports, p285-289/p291-297/298-302

Council for Mission in Ireland. Ms Mavis Gibbons sounds a warning that if we do not fulfil our purpose of mission then we have little future.
See Book of Reports p331-341

Council for the Church Overseas. See Book of Reports p 325-329

Press Conference in the Synod Press Centre at 1pm

The importance of the Church of Ireland in education at both primary and secondary levels.
The Most Rev John Neill, Archbishop of Dublin; Canon John McCullagh, Education Office (RI) and Rev Ian Ellis, Education Officer (NI).

Youth Ministry. See Book of Reports p315 - 323
Christian Unity. See Book of Reports p343-350
Marriage Council. See Book of Reports p381-382
Board of Social Responsibility. See Book of Reports p395-403
Church Buildings. See Book of Reports p383.

THE GENERAL SYNOD WILL NEXT MEET IN THE ARMAGH CITY HOTEL ON 11-13 MAY 2004.