Standing Committee & RB22 Dec 25

RB News

The Representative Body’s December 2025 meeting took place in Church of Ireland House, Dublin, on Wednesday, 10th December.

The Archbishop of Armagh opened the meeting in prayer and welcomed Mr Robert Ellis (Derry & Raphoe), Ms Ruth Gyves (Dublin & Glendalough), the Revd Canon John Clarke (Meath & Kildare), and Mr Paul Schütz (Tuam, Limerick & Killaloe), and Mr David Webb (co–opted member) as new members attending their first meeting.

In line with the General Synod Bill No.7, approved at its meeting in May this year, to increase the maximum number of co–options to the Representative Body (from 11 to 18), Ms Ade Oluborode and Mr Adrian Robinson were nominated and co–opted.

This brings the current number of co–opted members to 15, following the election of Dr Rosemary Peters Gallagher and Mr David Webb as co–opted members at the September meeting.

Reports

Presenting the Executive Committee’s report, Ms Hilary Prentice noted that a competition to highlight best practice in environmental sustainability initiatives would be launched in early 2026.

Ms Prentice outlined a response to oppose a private member’s bill in the Northern Ireland Assembly which was seeking to increase regulation of burial grounds.  She also reported the Executive Committee’s decision to maintain maximum grant levels for clergy removal grants, with any exceptional cases to be brought to the Chair of the Stipends Committee and the Chief Officer for consideration.

Canon Graham Richards presented the recommendations of the Allocations Committee for expenditure in 2026, which were received and adopted.  A total of €5,390,647 has been allocated (reduced from €5,485,528 in 2025) and categorised as follows:

• Maintenance of the Stipendiary Ministry – €2,152,729
• General Synod activities – €1,763,803
• Training for the Ordained Ministry – €811,384
• Pioneer Ministry – €628,604
• RCB Library and miscellaneous – €34,127

Canon Richards expressed the gratitude of the Allocations Committee to the Irish Government for the secular work of the Board of Education (Republic of Ireland), safeguarding vetting for primary schools, and the Church of Ireland Youth Department.

The draft Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Investment Policy Statement 2026, as submitted by the Investment Committee and approved by the Executive Committee, was received and adopted.

Presentations were made to the Representative Body by Devan Nathwani and Shane O’Doherty of BlackRock investment managers.  Mr Robert Neill, Chair of the RCB Campus Review Group, and Mr Ciarán Mullarkey of Mullarkey Pedersen Architects, commissioned to take forward the development of a new Church of Ireland campus at 96 Upper Rathmines Road, Dublin, also made a presentation.  The site will retain the existing chapel and accommodation block and a new cloistered–style building, including the Church of Ireland Theological Institute, the RCB Library, and Church of Ireland House will be built.

Appointments

Mr Sam Hudson was elected to the Property Committee, succeeding Mr Stanley McFarland on his retirement.

Mr Henry Algeo was elected to the Pioneer Ministry Governing Council, succeeding Mr Robert Neill.

The meeting closed in prayer with the Collect for Advent.

Advent Carol Service

Following the business of the RB, members took part in the Representative Church Body’s Advent Carol Service in Holy Trinity Rathmines.  Worship was led by a choir including members of staff accompanied by Dr Kerry Houston and Bishop Michael Burrows as organists.

The congregation was welcomed by Mr David Ritchie and the Revd Rob Jones, who led the Bidding Prayer.  Scripture readings were by Ms Hilary Prentice, Mrs Wendy Deacon, Mr Peter Connor, Mr Mark McWha, Dr Susan Hood, Ms Olga Voitenko (in Ukrainian), the Revd Canon Dr Maurice Elliott, and Mr Duncan Holmes.  The service was concluded by Archbishop John McDowell with a Collect and Blessing.

Refreshments were provided after the service in the former Chapel of the Church of Ireland College of Education.