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.
The Church of Ireland General Synod 2026 got underway this afternoon (Thursday May 7) in the Slieve Donard Hotel in Newcastle, Co Down. For the first time since 2019 members of Synod will gather in person for three full days, concluding on Saturday. In recent years the third day has taken place online.
The 2026 meeting of the General Synod of the Church of Ireland gets underway today, Thursday May 7, in Newcastle in County Down.
Following their latest meeting, the Church Leaders Group (Ireland), which is made up of the Roman Catholic and Church of Ireland Archbishops of Armagh, the Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, and the Presidents of the Methodist Church in Ireland, and the Irish Council of Churches, have expressed their sympathy and prayerful support for all families who have been affected by violence against women and girls, calling it ‘an epidemic sweeping across Ireland.’
An initiative aimed at cutting carbon emissions and improving energy efficiency in hundreds of Church of Ireland properties has received a welcome boost through a partnership involving the Representative Church Body and the Benefact Trust.
Three reels of cine film dating from 1958 and 1960 containing footage of significant events in the diocese of Down & Dromore almost 70 years ago have been brought back to life and will be available to view at General Synod 2026.
Minutes are an important historical record of administrative business, and can help to date key events, presence of personnel and decision making. Storing master minutes digitally rather than in a hard–copy is not acceptable.
The Church Growth Conferences held in Belfast and Dublin over the last fortnight brought together clergy and lay people from across the Church of Ireland to pause, listen, and rediscover confidence in God’s call to grow His Church.
