The following draft Bills and Motions will be debated during this years General Synod. For further informstion on amendments and passage through General Synod please contact the General Synod Press Officer.

Bills 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
Motions 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9

BILLS
The following four Bills were lodged with the Honorary Secretaries of the General Synod before 3 April 2000:

BILL NO 1

Explanatory Memorandum

In 1999 the General Synod approved, by the requisite majorities, a resolution granting leave for the introduction of this Bill and accompanying Schedule in 2000. This Bill incorporates material from the Book of Common Prayer of 1926, makes minimal changes in The Order for Morning Prayer daily throughout the year, The Order for Evening Prayer daily throughout the year, The Litany, and the Appendix containing Alternative Forms of Evening Prayer (MCMXXXIII) by removing anachronisms and updating rubrics; but other than changing the "which" form to "who" in the Lord's Prayer and "Ghost" to "Spirit", preserves the traditional language of that book. This is part of the process of making a revision of the Book of Common Prayer, 1926.

REV CANON RB ROUNTREE
REV CANON JAB MAYNE
(at the request of the General Synod)

To carry into effect a Resolution of the General Synod of 1999 to amend parts of the Book of Common Prayer.

WHEREAS a Resolution to amend those parts of the Book of Common Prayer entitled respectively The Order for Morning Prayer daily throughout the year; The Order for Evening Prayer daily throughout the year; The Litany; and the appendix containing Alternative Forms of Evening Prayer (MCMXXXIII) [which is sanctioned upon occasions approved by the Ordinary] by substituting for the above-mentioned parts of the Book of Common Prayer the order MORNING PRAYER Daily throughout the year; the order EVENING PRAYER Daily throughout the year; THE LITANY; and AN ORDER FOR COMPLINE as set out in the accompanying schedule was duly passed in full Synod assembled in Dublin in the year 1999 by the required majorities, and was duly transmitted to the Secretaries of all Diocesan Synods;

AND WHEREAS it is expedient that the said Resolution shall be carried into effect by a Statute;

AND WHEREAS in accordance with the provisions of Section 26(1) of Chapter I of the Constitution leave was given for the introduction of a Bill in the General Synod of 2000;

BE IT ENACTED by the Archbishops and Bishops and the Clergy and Laity of the Church of Ireland in General Synod assembled in Belfast in the year 2000, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

In the Book of Common Prayer for those parts entitled respectively The Order for Morning Prayer daily throughout the year; The Order for Evening Prayer daily throughout the year; The Litany; and the appendix containing Alternative forms of Evening Prayer (MCMXXXIII) [which is sanctioned upon occasions approved by the Ordinary] there shall be substituted the order MORNING PRAYER Daily throughout the year; the order EVENING PRAYER Daily throughout the year; THE LITANY; and AN ORDER FOR COMPLINE as set out in the Schedule.

Bills 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
Motions 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9

BILL NO 2

Explanatory Memorandum

In 1999 the General Synod approved, by the requisite majorities, a resolution granting leave for the introduction of this Bill and accompanying Schedule in 2000. This Bill incorporates material from the Alternative Prayer Book 1984, amended in the light of practical usage and of recent liturgical scholarship. These services will thus be part of the new edition of the Book of Common Prayer.

REV CANON RB ROUNTREE
REV CANON JAB MAYNE
(at the request of the General Synod)

To carry into effect a Resolution of the General Synod of 1999 to amend the Book of Common Prayer by including therein the forms of service as set out in the accompanying Schedule.

WHEREAS a Resolution to include in the Book of Common Prayer the forms entitled MORNING AND EVENING PRAYER Daily throughout the year; THE LITANY in contemporary language; A LATE EVENING OFFICE; and Weekday Intercessions and Thanksgivings as set out in the accompanying Schedule was duly passed in full Synod assembled in Dublin in the year 1999 by the required majorities, and was duly transmitted to the Secretaries of all Diocesan Synods;

AND WHEREAS it is expedient that the said Resolution shall be carried into effect by a Statute;

AND WHEREAS in accordance with the provisions of Section 26(1) of Chapter I of the Constitution leave was given for the introduction of a Bill in the General Synod of 2000;

BE IT ENACTED by the Archbishops and Bishops and the Clergy and Laity of the Church of Ireland in General Synod assembled in Belfast in the year 2000, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

In the Book of Common Prayer there shall be included the forms entitled MORNING AND EVENING PRAYER Daily throughout the year; THE LITANY in contemporary language; A LATE EVENING OFFICE; and Weekday Intercessions and Thanksgivings as set out in the Schedule.

Bills 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
Motions 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9

BILL NO 3

Explanatory Memorandum

In 1999 the General Synod approved, by the requisite majorities, a resolution granting leave for the introduction of this Bill and accompanying Schedule in 2000. This Bill provides the basic structure with introduction, notes and guidelines, known as "Service of the Word", for inclusion in the new edition of the Book of Common Prayer. Examples of using that structure, approved by the House of Bishops, have been published. Resource material authorized by the House of Bishops may be
used to work out other forms based on the structure.

REV CANON RB ROUNTREE
REV CANON JAB MAYNE
(at the request of the General Synod)

To carry into effect a Resolution of the General Synod of 1999 to amend the Book of Common Prayer by including therein the basic structure for a SERVICE OF THE WORD as set out in the accompanying Schedule.

WHEREAS a Resolution to amend the Book of Common Prayer by including therein the basic structure and guidelines known as SERVICE OF THE WORD the
Structure of the Service [for occasional use with the approval of the Ordinary] as set out in the accompanying Schedule was duly passed in full Synod assembled in Dublin in the year 1999 by the required majorities, and was duly transmitted to the Secretaries of all Diocesan Synods;

AND WHEREAS it is expedient that the said Resolution shall be carried into effect by a Statute;

AND WHEREAS in accordance with the provisions of Section 26(1) of Chapter I of the Constitution leave was given for the introduction of a Bill in the General Synod of 2000;

BE IT ENACTED by the Archbishops and Bishops and the Clergy and Laity of the Church of Ireland in General Synod assembled in Belfast in the year 2000, and by the authority of the same, as follows: In the Book of Common Prayer there shall be included the basic structure and guidelines known as SERVICE OF THE WORD The Structure of the Service [for occasional use with the approval of the Ordinary] as set out in the Schedule.

Bills 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
Motions 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9

BILL NO 4

Explanatory Memorandum

The General Synod in May 1999 requested the Commission on Church Buildings
to take steps to widen its terms of reference to enable it to recommend grants (within its existing budget and where recommended by Diocesan Council) to make safe ruined or redundant church buildings which are either of historic or visual significance in a local landscape. In accordance with this request the Commissioners now present a Bill amending Section 6 of Chapter I of 1986 by the addition of section (4) (b), thereby extending its terms of reference to take this request into account. If passed, any requests for a grant would have to be made through the relevant Diocesan Council and would apply only to such buildings as are still vested in the Representative Church Body.

VERY REV JMG SIRR
MRS DM BURNS
(at the request of the General Synod)

To amend the Statute of the General Synod, Chapter I of 1986.

WHEREAS it is desirable that the objects of the fund established by the Statute, Chapter I of 1986, should be enlarged;

AND WHEREAS for that purpose it is necessary to amend the said Statute;

BE IT ENACTED by the Archbishops and Bishops and the Clergy and Laity of the Church of Ireland in General Synod assembled in Belfast in the year 2000, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

1. For sub-section (4) of Section 6 of Chapter I of 1986 there shall be substituted the following sub-section:

(4) Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-section (3) above, the commissioners may also recommend to the Representative Body, and the Representative Body may make, grants from the fund:

(a) towards the development of churches which remain open in a benefice following a final determination, provided artifacts used in such development come from a church which was closed subsequent to that final determination;

(b) towards making safe ruined or redundant church buildings which are either of historic or visual significance in a local landscape.

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDA ON BILLS AND THEIR PASSAGE THROUGH GENERAL SYNOD

This section contains those Bills which were lodged with the honorary secretaries at least six weeks before the first day of the session. A Bill is a proposal for legislation which, if passed, will become a Statute, binding on all members of the Church of Ireland. The procedure is designed to ensure that the proposed legislation is considered carefully, both in principle and in detail, and that there is a day's interval for reflection before final approval is given.The Bills will be taken into
consideration in the order in which they appear in this pamphlet, unless the Synod directs otherwise. On the first stage, the proposer moves "That leave be given to introduce Bill no. __" unless leave has been given in the previous session. This is a formal motion which is normally put to the Synod without debate, but in certain circumstances one speech in support of the motion, and one in opposition to it, may be permitted.

If that motion is passed, the Synod proceeds to the Second Reading, when the principles of the Bill are open to debate. At the conclusion of the debate on this stage, the motion "That the Bill be approved in principle and given a second reading" is put to the Synod. If this motion is passed, indicating that the Synod approved the Bill in principle, the Committee stage follows.

In the case of Special Bills leave to introduce such a Bill may only be given at an ordinary session of the Synod; leave having been given, the Bill shall be deemed to have been read a first time, but it shall not be processed further until the next ordinary session when it will come before the Synod for second reading.

On the Committee stage, the Bill is considered in detail, the clauses being put to the Synod one by one for debate and decision. The clauses are taken first in their order; then, the schedules (if any); and, finally, the Preamble (the introductory matter). Amendments, notice of which was given to the honorary secretaries not later than the Friday before the session, will appear on the agenda paper for the first day; no other amendment may be moved on Committee stage except with the leave of the Synod. An amendment is taken on the clause to which it relates, and is disposed of before the clause itself is put to the Synod.

In the case of Special Bills, an amendment can be moved on Committee stage only if notice has been given in the previous session except for any dealing with omissions or grammatical errors.

When the Committee stage has been concluded, the Bill is reported to the Synod, and a day - usually the third day - is fixed for the remaining stages.

On the third day the Report stage is taken. Any amendments which have been odged with the honorary secretaries before the close of business on the second day will appear on the supplemental agenda paper for the third day. After these amendments have been disposed of - or immediately if there are not any amendments - the Synod proceeds to the Third Reading. At this stage, debate is confined to the provisions of the Bill, and at its conclusion the motion "That the Bill be now read a third time and passed" is put to the Synod.

A simple majority of the House of Representatives is required to pass any and every motion during the passage of a Bill through the Synod, except when a vote by orders has been requisitioned by ten members of either order (which may be done on any motion), in which case a simple majority of each order, voting separately, is required; a two-thirds majority of each order, voting separately, is required to pass the Second Reading and the Third Reading of a Bill which proposes a modification or alteration in the articles, doctrines, rites, rubrics or formularies of the Church.

For fuller information on Bill procedure reference should be made to Part II of Chapter I of the Constitution and to the Standing Orders. A leaflet on Bill procedure is available on application to the honorary secretaries.

Bills 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
Motions 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9

MOTIONS
Motions received by the Honorary Secretaries of the General Synod not less than one month before the day appointed for the opening of the session of the Synod at which the motion is to be moved (Standing Order 31).

1. LADY SHEIL

That (i) For Standing Order 3 of the Standing Orders of the General Synod there shall be substituted the following:

3. The hours for the Synod when in ordinary session shall be as follows:-

First day: 11.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.; 2.00 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. or, if the first and second readings of all Bills sent to the members with the summonses have not then been concluded, until such later hour as the Synod shall determine.

Second day: 10.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.; 2.00 p.m. to 6.30 p.m.

Third day: 10.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m.; 2.00 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. or such other hour as the Synod may determine.

Provided that the Synod by Resolution assented to by at least two-thirds of the members of the House of Representatives present and voting thereon may (unless the Bishops present by a majority object) prolong the period of any sitting to such hour as may be named in such Resolution.

The hours for the Synod when in special session shall be specified in the notice convening the meeting.

That (ii) In Standing Order 56 for the words 'on the Tuesday, following the President's address' there shall be substituted 'on the first day at such time as the President shall deem appropriate and in any event not later than 12 noon'.

2. THE HONORARY SECRETARIES

A motion or motions to allocate the time available between the items listed on the agenda Paper (Standing Order 56). (See Timetable Motion on separate sheet.)

3. MOTION ON PROCEDURE THE HONORARY SECRETARIES

That the Reports of the Board of Education and the Secondary Education Committee be taken together, that the first part of the debate be confined to matters mainly concerning education in the Republic of Ireland, being introduced by two speeches, one on behalf of the Board of Education and one on behalf of the Secondary Education Committee; that the second part of the debate be confined to matters concerning education in Northern Ireland, being introduced by one speech, on behalf of the Board of Education, and that the time allotted to each part of the debate be at the discretion of the President, but not to exceed a total of one and a half hours.

Bills 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
Motions 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9

4. REV CANON PF PATTERSON AND MR DJ AUCHMUTY

That the General Synod:

1. welcomes and receives the report of the Working Group on Synodical Structures of the Standing Committee
   
2. welcomes the presentation of the legislative proposals contained in the report
   
3. encourages the Standing Committee to present the legislative proposals as a Bill to the General Synod in 2001
   and
   
4. requests the working group to continue its work on related areas in order to present the necessary resolutions and legislation to fulfil the other recommendations listed in its report to General Synod in 1999.
   

5. THE ARCHBISHOP OF DUBLIN AND THE BISHOP OF KILMORE

This Synod acknowledges the progress made towards the cancellation of the debts of the world's most highly indebted poor countries.

Synod calls on the countries represented at the G8 Summit at Okinawa, Japan on 21-23 July 2000 to continue the process of debt cancellation, so lifting the burden on the world's poorest people.

Synod recognises that without changes in the system of international trade poor countries will slip back into indebtedness and calls on the Summit to address those elements within international trade agreements that disadvantage poor countries.
Synod requests the Honorary Secretaries to convey this resolution to the host of the G8 Summit, the Prime Minister of Japan, through the Japanese Ambassadors of Ireland and the UK.

6. THE REV CANON PF PATTERSON AND THE VERY REV DR CHILLINGWORTH

In light of the Bishop of Meath's communiqué published in The Church of Ireland Gazette of 18 February 2000 on the establishment of a Theological College Council, the Representative Church Body is requested to seek the opinion of the Legal Advisory Committee as to whether:

1. The episcopal constitution of the Church necessitates that the Theological College and the Theological College Council are accountable only to the bishops.
   
2. The episcopal constitution of the Church precludes General Synod having any legislative or administrative power in relation to the Theological College.
   
3. The Representative Church Body as trustee owner holds title to the Church of Ireland Theological College for the House of Bishops as beneficial owners.
   The Representative Church Body is further requested to communicate the opinion of the Legal Advisory Committee to the next meeting of General Synod.
   

Bills 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
Motions 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9

7. THE REV CANON JE McCULLAGH AND THE REV CANON RD HARMAN

That, as recommended by the Secondary Education Committee, the General Synod of the Church of Ireland approves the incorporation of The Secondary Education Committee Limited, a company limited by guarantee and approves the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the said Company, copies of which are available for inspection.

Note: Copies of the Memorandum and Articles of Association may be obtained from the Secondary Education Committee, 15 Belgrave Road, Rathmines, Dublin 6 (Telephone Dublin 4975034) or Church of Ireland House, Rathmines, Dublin 6 (Telephone Dublin 4978422).

8. THE BISHOP OF TUAM

That the General Synod be asked to amend the Constitution at Cap 2 Part 2 to provide that where a Bishop considers it necessary for the proper administration of the diocese, the diocesan council of such diocese shall be entitled to appoint from its members a standing committee to deal with a specified range of minor matters which would otherwise require to be dealt with in plenary session. Such standing committee would be chaired by the Bishop or by a senior cleric from the area in which such minor matters arise and would report in full to the Diocesan Council.

9. THE HONORARY SECRETARIES

That the Honorary Secretaries be instructed to publish with as little delay as possible, the Journal of the Proceedings of the Synod during this session, with such appendices as they think expedient.

Bills 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
Motions 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9