The Church of Ireland General Synod 2001 began on Tuesday 15th May in the O'Reilly Hall of University College Dublin. There was an attendance of approximately 450 out of a total membership of 648.

WELCOME

The Archbishop of Armagh, Dr Robin Eames, is President of the Synod and welcomed members from all the dioceses of the Church of Ireland. Also present were visitors from other Churches including the Greek Orthodox Church in Britain and Ireland, the Church in Wales and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland.

WORSHIP

The opening worship was conducted by the Right Reverend Kenneth Clarke, Bishop of Kilmore, the most recently-elected bishop in the Church of Ireland.

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS

The Archbishop of Armagh in his Presidential Address referred to:

• the pain and distress caused by the Foot and Mouth outbreaks
• a changing Ireland and the spiritual dimension
• the value of the individual
• elections in Northern Ireland
• policing
• Drumcree and Garvaghy Road

• He welcomed Bishop Clarke to his first General Synod as a bishop.
• He paid tribute to the life and work of the late Deans Jack Shearer and Maurice Carey
• He thanked Professor John Bartlett who is retiring from the position of Principal of the Church of Ireland Theological College
• He referred to the excellent service given to the RCB by Professor Spearman and Judge Buchanan

PREPARATION FOR NEW PRAYER BOOK

Much of the business of the day was the careful attention which has to be given to the preparation of services for inclusion in the new Book of Common Prayer, due to be published in 2004. One of the Bills for the revised Holy Communion Service (Bill no 2) had no fewer than 43 amendments!

SYNOD REJECTS PROPOSALS TO REDUCE NUMBERS ON GENERAL SYNOD

Rather more emotion and excitement were aroused by a proposal (Bill No. 5) to reduce the size of General Synod from its present 648 to approximately 400 members.

In 1870 there were 2230 ordained clergy in the Church of Ireland. Now there are 550.

Now the Report of the Synodical Structures Working Group is making proposals for a quite drastic reduction

Many moving speeches were made praising the value of Synod as it exists and urging that no reduction should take place. Other speakers fully supported the proposals of the Working Group.

After a very interesting debate, the Synod voted by 192 to 163 to reject the Bill in principle . Therefore it will not receive a second reading and the proposed reduction will not now take place.

BILL ON PENSIONS

In the final business of the day Lady Sheil introduced a Bill (Bill No. 6) to improve provisions for pensions for retired clergy, clergy widows and dependants.

SERVICE IN ST PATRICK'S CATHEDRAL

The first day of Synod ended with the General Synod Service of Holy Communion in St Patrick's Cathedral at which the preacher was the Right Reverend Richard Henderson, Bishop of Tuam.

This was an inspiring service attended by a large number of General Synod members.