Day 1
Bill Dealing with Governance of Christ Church Cathedral Dublin Presented to Synod
A Bill dealing with governance arrangements for Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, to prepare the Cathedral for its incorporation as a Company Limited by Guarantee passed its initial stages at General Synod in Naas today (Friday May 9).
Bill No 4, which runs to over 30 pages in the Bills pamphlet, aims to provide for the better governance and regulation of Christ Church Cathedral by bringing governance and other functions into a company limited by guarantee. It also proposes a number of changes to the Cathedral Board to meet good governance practice while retaining the reformed faith, ethos and membership.
Proposed by Canon Dr Maurice Elliott and seconded by Archdeacon Ross Styles, the Bill provides for the repeal of the provisions of Chapter 1 of 1902 and related legislation. In their place, if enacted, there will be provisions setting out the Constitution for Christ Church Cathedral.
Canon Elliott (Dublin) said that subject to agreement of Synod the Cathedral Board would become a company limited by guarantee. He said the sponsors apologised for the complexity of the paperwork but noted it was needed for members to be able to make an informed decision. Two separate charities are needed – first a cathedral board and secondly the company limited by guarantee. The membership of the two boards would be the same people but there will be separate meetings, minutes and report to the charities’ regulator, he stated. The bill proposes that the size of the boards be reduced from 18 to 12.
The new arrangements will facilitate good governance, streamline processes, increase ability to access grants and loans and reduce exposure and risk to those who serve on the board, Canon Elliott stated.
Archdeacon Ross Styles (Glendalough) said Christ Church Cathedral had stood since 1028. The cathedral had faced constant change but its mission had remained the same and the core reason for the bill was to protect and safeguard the building and its purpose as a place of worship for us and generations not yet born. Christ Church Cathedral faced various pressures and it was in line with these pressures that those who have oversight of it must adapt to the change to company with limited guarantee, he explained. “This is not a radical change and protects the essence of the cathedral. We are confident that the Bill will put in place a structure to enable the cathedral to continue to be a beacon of faith in our ever changing city,” Archdeacon Styles stated.
Speaking to the Bill Adrian Hilliard (Tuam, Limerick and Killaloe) said he was interested in the Bill and keen that it go through as we must look after Christ Church and those who are responsible for it.
Canon David Gillespie (Dublin) said he was aware of the amount of work that had gone into bringing the bill to Synod and acknowledge the work of the Dean, CEO and Diocesan Chancellor. He appealed to members to support the bill.
The bill will come back before members on Tuesday evening for final consideration.