Day 1
Business Continues on Day One of General Synod 2025
The opening session of General Synod 2025 continues in Lawlor’s Hotel in Naas. The Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Revd John McDowell, has welcomed members of Synod and Synod’s ecumenical guests.
Guests this year include: the Revd Dr John Alderdice and Ms Elaine Barnett of the Methodist Church in Ireland, Dr Heather Payne of the Church in Wales, the Revd Dr Sam Mawhinny of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the Rt Revd Sarah Groves of the Moravian Church, the Revd Dr Karen Campbell of the Irish Council of Churches, and Bishop Denis Nulty and Dr Joan Back of the Roman Catholic Church.
Dr Alderdice brought greetings from the Methodist Church in Ireland. He said it was wonderful to address Synod and that he felt he was among friends. His own faith has been shaped by friends and colleagues from the Church of Ireland, he said adding that it has been fantastic over his time in ministry to share with Church of Ireland colleagues in local settings.
During his year in office he said it had been a privilege to share on many occasions with Archbishop John McDowell and the breath of his address showed the gift that he is to the Church of Ireland.
“We find ourselves in interesting circumstances in Ireland,” he commented. “This year I have seen the challenge of aging demographics and declining numbers but there have also been opportunities to share the Gospel and see the openness of young people to hear the Good News of Jesus. My theme for this year has been the transformation of the world. The movement of the Holy Spirit doesn’t restore things to the way we want them to be or how they were in the past but it moves us forward. My hope and prayer for us all is that we will understand these times and know what we should be doing in the service of the Kingdom of God.”
Honorary Secretary of General Synod, Canon Malcolm Kingston conveyed communications from Diocesan Synods and new Diocesan rules and regulations. Mr Lyndon MacCann SC was nominated as Assessor of Synod by the President.
Honorary Secretary Hazel Corrigan outlined a number of procedural matters and Honorary Secretary Canon Gillian Wharton proposed Motion No 1 to adopt the time table for Synod. She also presented the communication from the Record Committee.
The Chief Officer of the RCB, Mr David Ritchie, presented the amended policy and guidelines relating to Clergy PHI to Synod. These amendments are available to view on the Parish Resources page of the Church of Ireland website.
The Bishop of Tuam, Limerick and Killaloe and Chair of the Bills Committee, the Rt Revd Michael Burrows, took the chair and members are now considering eight Bills.