Day 1
Business Continues on Day One of General Synod 2026
The opening session of General Synod 2026 continues in the Slieve Donard Hotel in Newcastle, Co Down. 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 Alan Wardlow and Elaine Barnett of the Methodist Church in Ireland, the Revd Mark Mawhinney of the Church of England, the Very Revd Dr Noble McNeely and Florence McNeely of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Philip McDonagh of the Religious Society of Friends, the Most Revd Alan McGuckian SJ and Dr Joan Back of the Roman Catholic Church, and Dr Karen Campbell of the Irish Council of Churches.
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 Bishop of Tuam, Limerick and Killaloe gave a presentation of revised Prevention of Bullying and Harassment Policy to Synod. The Chief Officer gave a presentation of the amended Clergy PHI policy.
The Bishop of Tuam, Limerick and Killaloe and Chair of the Bills Committee, the Rt Revd Michael Burrows, has taken the chair and members are now considering the Bills.