Day 1
Bill Ensures Consistency on Retirement Age of Archdeacons
A second Bill enabling consistency in the Constitution of the Church of Ireland was introduced at General Synod today (Friday May 9). Bill No 3 allows for cross–referencing so that the retirement age of archdeacons (which was last year was raised from 70 years to 75 years in line with the retirement age for clergy) is consistent throughout the Constitution.
The 2024 Bill amended Chapter II of the Constitution but the retirement age of 70 is also mentioned in Chapter VII and the 2025 Bill, proposed by Bishop David McClay and seconded by Judith Cairns at the request of the Commission on Ministry, seeks to amend that oversight.
The Bill passed its initial stages and will come before members again on Tuesday evening for final consideration.