REPORT ON WEDNESDAY'S BUSINESS

Click HERE for Reports from the Revd Gregg Ryan, Irish Correspondent of the Church Times

Morning session (Wednesday):

After hearing from the representatives of the churches visiting the Synod, work continues at the General Synod today as attempts are made to catch up on the order of business.

This morning Bill 7 was discussed by Synod. The purpose of this Bill was to establish Provincial Mediation Panels and to make further provision concerning mediation in conflict resolution and related matters.

Canon J.A.A. Condell, introducing the Bill, said, "In the Church of Ireland from time to time there are clergy who for whatever reason make life intolerable for their parishioners and there are parishes which for whatever reason make life intolerable for their clergy." 

This Bill, if passed will enable the Church to establish Mediation Panels in the two provinces of the Church of Ireland, one for the Northern Province of Armagh and one for the Southern Province of Dublin.

The Bill makes provision for the members of these Panels to be appointed by the Diocesan Councils, on the nomination of the Bishop, and comprise one ordained priest and one lay person from each of the Dioceses in the Province.  They shall receive training in conflict resolution prior to taking up office. 

The Bill was passed in principle but will require final approval on Thursday.

Afternoon session (Wednesday):

Synod business continued this afternoon in the O'Reilly Hall in Dublin. Reports were received and accepted from the Pensions Board, the Commission on Ministry and the Representative Body.

After lunch Synod began to discuss Motion number 3 in the names of Mr. J.M.D. Couchman and the Revd Canon N.T. Ruddock. The Motion stated:

"That this Synod will not allow the sale of the Palace Kilkenny in the present climate of dissent within the United Diocese, and in the light of the disenfranchisement of Ferns Diocese."

After advice from the Archbishop's Assessor, Synod was advised that from a legal perspective Synod had no authority to allow or disallow the sale of the Palace Kilkenny. Only the legal owners, the Representative Church Body, had that right.

However the Archbishop requested that Synod permit debate on the Motion continue after it was amended to read,
 "That this Synod would disapprove of the sale of the Palace Kilkenny in the present climate of dissent."
This permission was given and the debate took place.

A vote was taken on the amended Motion. In favour 99, against 209. The amended Motion was lost.

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