Thursday 4th April 2002

The Court meets in Church of Ireland House, Church Avenue, Rathmines on Monday, 8 April 2002 to consider the position of Dean Andrew Furlong following his statements on faith and doctrine. It is open to the public and press.

Press briefing papers will be issued at 9.30 a.m. including the terms of the Petition, names of judges and other information.

The Court sits at 10.00 a.m. and members of the public and press must be seated by 9.45 a.m..

No cameras or electronic equipment will be allowed in the Court.

The Petitioner and Respondent will make presentations and have an opportunity to ask questions. The Petitioner and Respondent may bring not more than two supporters each. The Board of Judges will ask questions and the Chairman will invite both parties to make a concluding statement before adjourning to consider the case.

The judgment of the Court will be published in due course.

There will be no press conference at the end of the proceedings.

COURT OF THE GENERAL SYNOD –Q&A 

What does it do?

It is the supreme and final court of the Church of Ireland and deals with any of five concerns:-

1. any matters which are sent to it on appeal from a decision in a Diocesan Court of any diocese in the Church of Ireland

2. any question of a legal nature which may be referred to it by the House of Bishops or the General Synod itself

3. any matters involving a question of doctrine or ritual or deposition from holy orders of any members of the clergy

4. any charge against an Archbishop or Bishop

5. any question of a legal nature in respect of the election of an Archbishop or Bishop.

How is it constituted?

In most cases, particularly in matters of doctrine, the Court consists of three members of the House of Bishops, first in order of precedence, who may be able to attend; and of four lay judges first in order on the list of ten, elected by the General Synod triennially, who may be able to attend.

Where does it meet?

In whatever place the president (who is usually the Archbishop of Armagh) chooses, and with the Diocesan Registrar of the Diocese of Dublin in attendance. The Diocesan Registrar acts as Registrar of the Court of the General Synod.

What is the procedure?

A petition of complaint, either from an archbishop or bishop or from four communicants, is received in writing. The respondent’s answer, if any, is received. The respondent, if attending the Court, may be heard by himself, his agent, solicitor, counsel and witnesses. Further evidence, either orally or taken by a commission or by examination or cross-examination of witnesses, may be received but on terms as may be directed by the Court.

The Court sits with a minimum of formality – there is no “dock”, gowns or wigs, and the proceedings are generally in public (unless the judges decide that a matter is delicate and personal – and even then a small number of witnesses are permitted). The judges may from time to time adjourn the court as they deem fit.

If any accused person is adjudged by the Court to be guilty of an offence cognisable by the Court, the Court shall pass sentence.

What powers does the Court have?

It can dismiss the Petition, it can adjourn, it can allow time for revocation or retraction, or it can pass sentence 

What penalties can the Court impose?

It can pronounce sentence of admonition, or of suspension, (that is temporary loss of position and pay) or of deprivation (permanent loss of position and pay), or of deposition from holy orders, and has power to inhibit any person charged from the exercise of his office 

How often has the Court of the General Synod met?

About 39 times in 130 years, mostly on technical matters such as the validity of elections or the decision – before the days of retirement pensions – as to whether a cleric had permanent mental infirmity. There have been about half a dozen cases on ritual matters and only two on matters of doctrine, both of those over a century ago.