Very Rev H Cassidy, The Library,
Abbey Street, Armagh BT61 7DY
Rev Canon RD Harman, The Rectory,
Sandford Close, Ranelagh, Dublin 6
Mr SR Harper, Cramer’s Grove,
Kilkenny, Co Kilkenny
Lady Sheil, Killinchy, Co Down BT23
6RL
ASSISTANT SECRETARY –
Ms Valerie Beatty
SYNOD OFFICER – Mr
Derek Phillips
OFFICE
Church of Ireland House
Church Avenue
Rathmines
Dublin 6
Telephone No (01) 4978422
Facsimile No (01) 4978821
Email synod@rcbdub.org
1. Summary.................................................................................................................. 131
2. Names and Attendances of Members...................................................................... 131
3. Abortion Hearing (Republic of Ireland)................................................................... 133
4. Appointments......................................................................................................... 134
5. Anglican Consultative Council................................................................................ 134
6. Anglican/Roman Catholic International Commission.............................................. 135
7. Audit of Accounts................................................................................................... 135
8. Bishops’ Appeal Advisory Committee.................................................................. 135
9. Central Communications Board............................................................................... 135
10. The Chief Officer and Secretary of the Representative Church Body.................... 135
11. Church Hymnal....................................................................................................... 135
12. Civic Forum (Northern Ireland)............................................................................... 136
13. Constitution of the Church of Ireland..................................................................... 136
14. Copyright................................................................................................................ 136
15. Diocesan Registrars’ Fees........................................................................................ 137
16. Diocesan Reorganisation – Cork, Cloyne and Ross................................................ 137
17. Dominus Iesus......................................................................................................... 137
18. Drumcree................................................................................................................. 137
19. General Synod 2002................................................................................................ 138
20. General Synod – Standing Committee Budgets....................................................... 138
21. Mission Resource Person........................................................................................ 138
22. Policy and Co-ordination Advisory Committee...................................................... 138
23. The Porvoo Communion......................................................................................... 139
24. Priorities Fund......................................................................................................... 139
25. Publication of new Prayer Book.............................................................................. 142
26. Role of the Church Committee................................................................................ 142
27. Safeguarding Trust (Northern Ireland)..................................................................... 143
28. Sectarianism Steering Group.................................................................................... 143
29. Synodical Structures Working Group...................................................................... 143
30. Obituary.................................................................................................................. 143
Page
A Resolutions to be proposed to the General Synod.................................................. 145
B Public Hearing on Abortion – Verbatim Transcript................................................ 146
C The Gift of Authority, ARCIC II – Church of Ireland Response........................... 160
D World Development – Bishops’ Appeal Advisory Committee Report................. 167
E Central Communications Board Report.................................................................. 174
F Dominus Iesus – Church of Ireland Response........................................................ 185
G Consultation on Dominus Iesus – Introduction...................................................... 190
H Consultation on Dominus Iesus – Report............................................................... 193
I Porvoo Contact Group – Report............................................................................. 194
J Porvoo Theological Conference – Report................................................................ 197
K Porvoo Theological Conference – Concluding Document....................................... 198
L Priorities Fund Account for the Year ending 31 December 2000............................ 202
M Priorities Fund – Report on New Objectives and Criteria...................................... 204
N Role of the Church Committee – Proposals for New Structure.............................. 205
O Sectarianism Steering Group - Report..................................................................... 209
P Synodical Structures Working Group – Report...................................................... 211
Q Receipts and Disbursements Account and General Purposes Fund....................... 215
The Standing Committee submits to the General Synod the Report of its proceedings for the period from 11 April 2000 to 13 March 2001.
The report includes details of the various matters dealt with by the Standing Committee during the year. The most significant matters were:
· Response to the ARCIC II Report, The Gift of Authority (Appendix C, page 160)
· A new structure for the Central Communications Board (Appendix A, page 145)
·
Response to the
document Dominus Iesus (Appendices F,
G and H, pages 185-193)
· The Porvoo Theological Conference (Appendices J and K, pages 197, 198)
· Arrangements for the publication of the new Prayer Book (Section 25, page 142)
· A new Committee to replace the Role of the Church Committee (Appendix N, page 205)
· Proposed legislation from the Synodical Structures Working Group (Appendix P, page 211, and the Bill Pamphlet).
During the period five ordinary meetings of the Committee have been held. The number of meetings attended by each member is placed before his/her name.
The meeting scheduled for 13 March 2001 was cancelled due to precautions taken to prevent the spread of foot and mouth disease.
Ex-officio Members
THE ARCHBISHOPS AND BISHOPS
THE HONORARY SECRETARIES OF THE GENERAL SYNOD
5 Very Rev H Cassidy
5 Rev Canon RD Harman
4 Mr SR Harper
5 Lady Sheil
Elected Members
Diocese of:
|
Armagh |
|
5 |
Rev Canon JM Barton |
|
|
|
4 |
Rev IW Ellis |
|
|
|
4 |
Mr HW Young |
|
|
* |
3 |
Mrs J Montgomery |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Clogher |
|
4 |
Very Rev TR Moore |
|
|
|
3 |
Rev Canon DP Hoey |
|
|
|
5 |
Mr H Stewart |
|
|
* |
0 |
Mr SF Brooker |
|
Derry |
|
1 |
Ven MS Harte |
|
|
* |
2 |
Very Rev WW Morton |
|
|
|
5 |
Mr JHD Livingstone |
|
|
|
3 |
Mr WR Arnold |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Down |
|
5 |
Ven KR Good |
|
|
* |
1 |
Rev DA McClay |
|
|
|
0 |
Mr JD Johnston |
|
|
|
4 |
Dr PHC Trimble |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Connor |
● |
0 |
Rev Canon JFA Bond |
|
|
* |
4 |
Rev MJ Elliott |
|
|
* |
4 |
Mr J Richardson |
|
|
|
5 |
Ms CS Turner |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kilmore |
|
4 |
Rev Canon I Gallagher |
|
|
|
4 |
Rev GTW Davison |
|
|
* |
3 |
Mrs JM Johnston |
|
|
|
3 |
Mr N Trenier |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tuam |
|
2 |
Ven AMA Previté |
|
|
|
3 |
Rev GL Hastings |
|
|
|
4 |
Mr DJ Auchmuty |
|
|
|
2 |
Ms AJ Wills |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dublin |
* |
3 |
Rev Canon NG McEndoo |
|
|
|
4 |
Rev BA Pierce |
|
|
□ |
2 |
Dr K Milne |
|
|
* |
4 |
Mr RW Lawson |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Meath |
* |
3 |
Rev Canon RW Deane |
|
|
* |
3 |
Rev Canon JDM Clarke |
|
|
|
5 |
Mrs JM Bruton |
|
|
|
5 |
Mr G Potterton |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cashel |
* |
4 |
Ven JG Murray |
|
|
* |
4 |
Very Rev PF Barrett |
|
|
|
5 |
Mr G Bradley |
|
|
|
3 |
Mr KGT Rothwell |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cork |
|
4 |
Ven REB White |
|
|
|
5 |
Rev Canon MAJ Burrows |
|
|
|
5 |
Mr WF Baker |
|
|
|
4 |
Dr AE St Leger |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Limerick |
* |
3 |
Very Rev JMG Sirr |
|
|
* |
2 |
Rev SM Neill |
|
|
* |
4 |
Mr PDG Read |
|
|
|
4 |
Ms RM Gill |
|
|
|
|
|
Co-opted Members
|
|
4 |
Mr MC Davey |
|
5 |
Ven RG Hoey |
|
♦ |
4 |
Rev Canon JAA Condell |
° |
3 |
Rev Canon KA Kearon |
|
|
5 |
Ms C McCutcheon |
|
3 |
Mr HRJ Totten |
|
|
5 |
Rev Canon RB Rountree |
|
|
|
|
● elected March 2001 |
* elected May 2000 |
||||
|
□ elected May 2000, formerly |
♦ co-opted June 2000, formerly
|
||||
|
° co-opted June 2000 |
|
||||
COMMITTEES OF THE STANDING COMMITTEEFINANCE AND ARRANGEMENTS SUB-COMMITTEE
Very Rev TR Moore LEGAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
|
|
|
His Honour Judge JG Buchanan |
Mr L Mellon |
|
The Hon Mr Justice DNO Budd |
Mr RLK Mills SC |
|
Lord Justice Campbell |
Mr PDM Prentice |
|
Mr MC Davey |
His Honour Judge RF Rodgers |
|
Mr WS McCarter |
Mr WB Stevenson |
|
The Hon Mrs Justice C McGuinness |
The Honorary Secretaries |
PRIORITIES FUND COMMITTEE
|
|
|
Ms AA Bedlow |
Very Rev TR Moore |
|
Mrs JM Bruton |
Mr HRJ Totten |
|
Very Rev DR Chillingworth |
Ms AJ Wills |
|
Rev Canon JAA Condell |
Mr HW Young |
|
Rev Canon I Gallagher |
|
BUDGET SUB-COMMITTEE
|
|
|
Mr G Bradley |
Mr SR Harper |
|
Very Rev H Cassidy |
Ms C McCutcheon |
|
Rev Canon JAA Condell |
Mr HRJ Totten |
The Standing Committee in June 2000 appointed the Rt Rev HC Miller, Dr PHC Trimble and Dr MRN Darling to represent the Church of Ireland at the oral hearing of the All Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution considering the Irish Government’s Green Paper on Abortion. It was agreed that the differing views from within the Church of Ireland should be represented at the hearing.
The Rt Rev HC Miller reported on the oral hearing to the Standing Committee in September 2000 and a copy of the transcript is included as Appendix B on page 146. It was generally felt that the views of the Church of Ireland had been well represented at the hearing, and our representatives were thanked for their conscientious approach to the hearing.
The following appointments were made by the Standing Committee during the year:
Committee etc |
Name |
|
General
Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, |
Rev Dr IM Ellis |
|
Conference of the Methodist Church, Belfast 2000 |
Ven AET Harper |
|
Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Dublin 2000 |
Mr G Clarke |
|
Provincial Synod of the Moravian Church of Great Britain and Ireland, London 2000 |
Rev WKM Brew |
|
Church of
England Liturgical Commission, |
Rev Canon JAB Mayne |
|
Irish Inter-Church Meeting |
Rt Rev JRW Neill |
|
Anglican Consultative Council |
Ms CS Turner |
|
Anglican/Baptist Conference, Norwich, September 2000 |
Mr DB O’Callaghan |
|
Committee for Christian Unity |
Ms S Hales |
|
International
Anglican Liturgical Consultation, |
Rt Rev HC Miller |
|
Irish Inter-Church Consultative Committee |
Rev WJ Ritchie |
|
|
|
In accordance with the ACC Constitution, the term of
office for ordinary members terminates after three successive meetings of the
Council. Following ACC-11, Lady Sheil has attended three meetings of the Council
and her term of office now expires as outgoing
members cannot be re-appointed. The Rev
Canon MAJ Burrows is the other Church
of Ireland representative on the Council, who was appointed in January 1998.
The Standing Committee at its April 2000 meeting expressed its appreciation to Lady Sheil for her service as Church of Ireland representative on the Anglican Consultative Council.
At the June 2000 meeting of the Standing Committee, Ms CS Turner was elected to serve on the Anglican Consultative Council in place of Lady Sheil.
The
Standing Committee approved an official interim response from the Church of
Ireland to the document entitled The Gift
of Authority produced by the Second Anglican/Roman Catholic International
Commission. The document prepared by
the Committee for Christian Unity, was forwarded to the Commission and to the Anglican Consultative Council. The response is included as Appendix C on
page 160.
The Standing Committee appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers to audit the accounts of the Representative Church Body.
A report from the World Development – Bishops’ Appeal Advisory Committee, including accounts for the year ended 31 December 2000, is included as Appendix D on page 167.
The Standing Committee approved the appointment of a Bishops’ Appeal Education Advisor for a period of two or three years from January 2001, subject to a commitment for co-funding from Christian Aid, and to final approval of the appointment by the Standing Committee.
A report from the Central Communications Board, which includes the work of the Broadcasting Committee, the Internet Committee and the Literature Committee, is included as Appendix E on page 174.
The Central Communications Board is submitting proposals to the General Synod for restructuring the Board to reflect the changes in communication methods and focus over the past decade. The proposals are included in Appendix A on page 145.
On
a recommendation of the Policy and Co-ordination Advisory Committee, the
Standing Committee agreed in principle that the Chief Officer and Secretary of
the Representative Church Body
be entitled to attend and participate at meetings of the Standing
Committee. It was also agreed that the
Assistant Secretary of the General Synod be given the right to speak at
meetings of the Standing Committee.
The Honorary Secretaries were represented at a meeting with members of the Hymnal Revision Committee and a representative of Oxford University Press to clarify issues raised in connection with the new Church Hymnal. These issues were considered by the Standing Committee in January 2001.
It
was explained that the
decision to publish a melody line edition in place of a words only version, was
influenced by the fact
that the melody line edition is the format commonly used in most recently
published hymnals. The melody
line edition provides assistance
to our many smaller parishes and choirs as they can avoid the expense of
purchasing full music editions.
It was
also explained that the print size of the new book has been enlarged as many church members found that the print size of
former editions too small. Due to the
larger page size, there is a
perception that the print is actually smaller than that in former editions.
As
Oxford University Press are in the process of selling the two current editions,
it is not considered viable to produce a words only edition. A large print edition was also considered,
but the price of such a production would be prohibitive due to the small
quantity of anticipated sales. A
Braille version of the Church Hymnal is in production and will be available
shortly.
The Churches in Northern Ireland were asked to nominate five representatives to the Civic Forum as proposed in the Belfast Agreement. Two of those representatives were nominated by the member churches of the Irish Council of Churches. The five representatives nominated, which were subsequently ratified by the First Minister and the Deputy First Minister, are as follows:
|
Mr George Glenn |
Church of Ireland |
|
Mrs Daphne Gilmore |
Presbyterian Church |
|
Pastor David McConaghie |
Smaller Evangelical Churches |
|
Mrs Marie Louise Warde-Hunter |
Roman Catholic Church |
|
Mrs Eileen Gallagher |
Roman Catholic Church |
|
|
|
The Standing Committee in September 2000, approved in principle proposals for the consolidation of the Constitution, which is carried out approximately every 10 years. The procedure, which was initiated by the Honorary Secretaries, requires a resolution of the General Synod in 2001 authorising the Legislation Committee to prepare a Bill to consolidate the Constitution, for consideration by the General Synod in 2002. The resolution is included in Appendix A on page 145.
The Honorary Secretaries informed the Standing Committee, that it is a medium term objective to undertake a complete review of the Constitution. Such a project would take a number of years to complete.
Permission was given to Mr Lancelot Forde, to reproduce portions of the Book of Common Prayer in a special service prayer and hymn book, for use at annual church services involving the Loyal Orange Lodge in the Parish of Killesher.
Church House Publishing, acting on behalf of the Church of England, was given permission to reproduce The Collect for the Transfiguration of Our Lord from Collects and Post-Communion Prayers in a publication entitled Feast of Faith.
A meeting of the Rules Committee of
Ecclesiastical Tribunals was held in January 2001 to consider a memorandum from the Honorary
Secretaries and the Diocesan Registrars. The memorandum contained proposals for the revision of the
Schedule of Fees chargeable by Diocesan
Registrars and fees for searches in parish registers. The Rules Committee
has submitted a report to the General Synod, which will be laid on the table
on the first day of the Synod. Each Diocesan Registrar will receive a copy
of the report.
Under section 31(2) of Chapter
I of the Constitution, the
Standing Committee is authorised to approve the transfer of any portion of a
diocese to another diocese if requested to do so by the dioceses affected.
As requested by the Diocesan Council of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, the Standing Committee approved the transfer of the parish of Beara Union from the Diocese of Ross to the Diocese of Cork. Approval is subject to confirmation by a resolution of the Diocesan Synod, adopted within one year and communicated to the Honorary Secretaries of the General Synod.
At the request of the Standing Committee, the Committee for Christian Unity prepared a response to the document entitled Dominus Iesus, issued by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith of the Roman Catholic Church. The response, which was approved by the Standing Committee, also included a reaction to the comments made by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger on the relationship of the Roman Catholic Church with other Churches. The response is included as Appendix F on page 185.
A one day Consultation was organised by the Irish Inter-Church Meeting on 5 December 2000, to consider Dominus Iesus and the churches’ reactions to the document. The Rev Canon WJ Marshall and the Ven GA McCamley were appointed to attend the Consultation, together with the Most Rev RHA Eames and the Very Rev LDA Forrest who attended the meeting as members of the Irish Inter-Church Committee.
An introduction to the Church of Ireland response was presented to the Consultation by the Most Rev RHA Eames, which is included as Appendix G on page 190. A report on the Consultation is included as Appendix H on page 193.
The Standing Committee in September 2000 was informed of events and statements made relating to Drumcree over the summer period. Tributes were paid to the Archbishop of Armagh for his leadership and the way in which the situation was handled during such a difficult period.
In accordance with the authority delegated to the Standing Committee by the General Synod in 1982, the meeting of General Synod in 2002 was arranged for 14, 15 and 16 May in the Stillorgan Park Hotel Conference Centre, Dublin.
The
Budget Sub-Committee considered budget submissions from various bodies
concerning their projected expenditure for the year 2001 and presented a report
to the Standing Committee in September
2000. Following consideration of the
report, recommendations were submitted to the Representative Church Body Allocations
Committee.
The Standing Committee in January 1999 approved in principle the appointment of a Mission Resource Person for a three year period in accordance with terms submitted by the Council for the Church Overseas.
On a recommendation from the Council
for the Church Overseas, the Standing Committee in April 2000 appointed the Rev
Charles Irwin as Mission Resource Person for the Church of Ireland for a three
year period.
The
Policy and Co-ordination Advisory Committee (the PCAC) has met on three occasions during the year 2000 following on from
its initial meetings in 1998 and 1999.
Members of this Advisory Committee are the Archbishops of Armagh and Dublin, two of the Honorary Secretaries of General Synod, the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the RCB Executive Committee, the Chairman of the RCB Allocations Committee, the Chairman of the RCB Investment Committee and the Chairman of the Priorities Fund Committee. The Committee’s role is, broadly, to provide a mechanism for linkages between the RCB and the Standing Committee in the interests of greater co-operation and co-ordination. Its focus to date has been on the following areas:
· Training of Ordinands
· Financial Roles and Responsibilities
· Communications and Publishing
· Co-ordination and Administrative Reform
·
The Office of the Primacy
These meetings have provided a good forum for discussion of issues of common concern to the Representative Body and Standing Committee. They have facilitated greater understanding and helped to create a better atmosphere in relation to financial issues, resources and priorities which has been replicated in meetings between the RCB’s Allocations Committee and representatives of the Standing and Priorities Fund Committees. Thus, while the PCAC has no specific authority or remit, it does provide a useful bridge between the two bodies given its representative mix and membership and, from these beginnings, it is hoped to develop stronger working relationships and to promote a greater sense of shared responsibility and co-ordination in relation to practical issues and use of material resources.
The PCAC continues to examine the potential for further reform taking into account in particular the structural changes in Church House subsequent to the PriceWaterhouse report in 1997, the decision of the RCB and the Standing Committee in March 2000 to appoint a Director of Communications and a Media Officer and the support requirements of the Primacy.
The Porvoo Communion is a fellowship of Anglican and Lutheran Churches in northern Europe who celebrate their unity as churches and who share a common sacramental life and ministry through the Porvoo Declaration.
A report on the meeting of the Porvoo Contact Group, held in Durham in September 2000, is included as Appendix I on page 194. The Church of Ireland representative on the Porvoo Contact Group is Ms V Beatty.
A Porvoo Theological Conference was held in Durham after the meeting of the Contact Group. The Rev Dr AW McCormack was appointed to attend the Conference. A report on the Conference is included as Appendix J on page 197.
The Concluding Document, being the official report from the Conference, contains recommendations, which require a response from the Church of Ireland. The Standing Committee in January 2001 appointed a small ad hoc group to consider the recommendations and prepare a response to the Contact Group. The Concluding Document is included as Appendix K on page 198.
(a) The following allocations from the 1999 Priorities Fund were approved by the Standing Committee in April 2000:
ALLOCATIONS OF GRANTS FROM 1999 PRIORITIES FUND
Ministry
|
|
|
|
CACTM - Support and training of men and women for the Ministry |
50,000 |
|
|
Theological College - Recruitment and selection of Ordinands |
6,500 |
|
|
Theological College - In-service training of Clergy and Laity |
4,000 |
|
|
House of Bishops - In-service training in each Diocese |
30,000 |
|
|
Church's Ministry of Healing -
Extension of Ministry and conferences for clergy and laity |
6,000 |
|
|
Celebration of Faith Committee (Diocese of Cashel & Ossory) - Financial support for a Diocesan gathering to be held in Waterford |
4,000 |
|
|
Irish College of Preachers - To enable the College to attract quality speakers and conference leaders to widen its appeal to clergy throughout Ireland |
1,000 |
|
|
GS Council for the Church Overseas - To assist with the funding of a Mission Resource Person for the Church of Ireland, for the opening 3 years of the new Millennium |
10,000 |
|
|
|
______ |
|
|
Sub-total |
111,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
Retirement
|
|
|
|
C of I Pensions Board - Additional income for most needy |
12,700 |
|
|
C of I Pensions Board - Retired Chaplain |
420 |
|
|
|
______ |
|
|
Sub-total |
13,120 |
|
|
|
|
|
Education
|
|
|
|
GS Board of Education (NI) -
Funding to enable the extension of learning, using the Internet |
11,500 |
|
|
GS Board of Education (NI) - To help with the production of a Resource Pack for Children's Ministry |
6,000 |
|
|
Wilson's Hospital School, Multyfarnham - To restore boys' dormitories on the first floor of the building |
8,000 |
|
|
Drogheda Grammar School - To assist with the improvement of boarding facilities |
3,000 |
|
|
Kilkenny College - Funding for a recently completed boys' dormitory block |
15,000 |
|
|
Dundalk Grammar School - To help with secondary boarding school development |
7,500 |
|
|
Villiers Charitable Institution, Limerick - To help meet the cost of General Purpose building, serving school, parish and wider community |
3,000 |
|
|
The Girls' Friendly Society - On-going education for the children and young people of the Church of Ireland |
3,000 |
|
|
Joint Committee for Church Music - Provision of courses for the improvement of standards in church music |
1,500 |
|
|
Irish School of Ecumenics - To support the work of ISE in ecumenical and reconciliation studies |
3,000 |
|
|
Dublin Diocesan Church Music
Committee - To assist with the training of church musicians |
1,500 |
|
|
Church of Ireland Youth Department - To help with the development of plans to facilitate and deliver a youth ministry to the Church of Ireland nationally |
35,000 |
|
|
Trinity College Chapel Choir, Dublin - Support for the choir's educational project |
1,000 |
|
|
St Patrick's Cathedral Choir, Dublin - To assist with funding for a choir trip to Sweden |
2,000 |
|
|
Central Communications Board - To assist with funding of a part-time Publishing Executive Officer |
15,000 |
|
|
Representative Church Body - R E Curriculum Development |
15,000 |
|
|
|
______ |
|
|
Sub-total |
131,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Community
|
|
|
|
PACT (Protestant Adoption Society), Dublin - Provision of an adoption and post-adoption service for the Protestant community and a non-denominational unplanned pregnancy service |
12,000 |
|
|
C of I Board for Social Responsibility (NI) - To allow social work services to be maintained, covering adoption, counselling and training courses for clergy |
15,000 |
|
|
The Brabazon Trust, Dublin - To assist with the renovation of a house, providing additional sheltered housing |
12,500 |
|
|
Harcourt Home, Dublin - To
replace old carpets with vinyl, in the nursing area of the Home |
3,000 |
|
|
The Mageough Home, Dublin - To assist with funding for the upgrading of houses for elderly ladies |
5,000 |
|
|
St John's House of Rest, Dublin - Funding for the upgrading and co-ordination of dining room seating |
2,500 |
|
|
The Kilbroney Centre, Rostrevor - To assist with the upgrading of the Centre, to comply with fire regulations |
5,000 |
|
|
Corrymeela Community, Belfast - Assist with funding for a Summer Conference - 'Living the future now, making the peace real' |
4,500 |
|
|
Kidz Patch Project, Lurgan - To help with the provision of equipment for a breakfast/after school club |
5,000 |
|
|
NI Children's Holiday Scheme,
Belfast - Support for the work of the Youth Resource Centre |
1,500 |
|
|
Armagh Public Library - To help with funding of an interpretive centre for the Cathedral and provision of a visitor centre for tourists to the Hill of Armagh |
5,000 |
|
|
C of I Gazette - Funding to enable the Gazette to go 'on line' and distribution costs in the Republic |
3,500 |
|
|
Torren's Hall, Doagh - To assist with the furnishing of this community hall, to meet the needs of the most vulnerable groups in the area |
2,500 |
|
|
|
______ |
|
|
Sub-total |
77,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Areas of Need
|
|
|
|
Ardfert - Parish of Kenmare & Dromod - Provision of a meeting room for outreach and development |
2,000 |
|
|
Armagh - St Patrick's Church, Ballyclog - Financial assistance for the provision of a public meeting centre at the rear of this church, which has only 49 parishioners |
4,000 |
|
|
Armagh - Derryloran Parish - To help maintain the continuity of outreach ministry |
4,000 |
|
|
Armagh - Drogheda Union - Financial assistance for the restoration of the front of St Peter's Church, which was destroyed in an arson attack |
4,000 |
|
|
Armagh - St Columba's Parish, Portadown - To help fund a heavy refurbishment project in a deprived area |
10,000 |
|
|
Clogher - Magheraculmoney Parish - To assist with the building of a new church hall, to facilitate community outreach |
4,000 |
|
|
Cloyne - Cloyne Union - Help purchase a Portacabin for use by Sunday School, Girls' Brigade etc |
1,000 |
|
|
Connor - Glenavy Parish - Funding for the purpose of developing opportunities for Christian witness, in an area of tension |
5,000 |
|
|
Connor - St Matthew's Parish, Broomhedge - Financial assistance for the building of a replacement parish hall for use by Sunday School and other parish organisations |
3,000 |
|
|
Dromore - Christ Church, Kilkeel - To help with the purchase of equipment for a new drop-in centre, to provide a safe environment in which young adults of all communities may meet |
5,000 |
|
|
Dublin - Rathfarnham Parish - Funding for the development of outreach ministry within the parish and wider community |
2,000 |
|
|
Lismore - Fiddown Union - To assist with the provision of a facility for parish education and social purposes |
3,000 |
|
|
Raphoe - St Paul's Church, Ramelton - Financial assistance to continue the work of the Peace and Reconciliation programme |
2,000 |
|
|
|
______ |
|
|
Sub-total |
49,000 |
|
|
Allocations Grand Total |
381,620 |
|
(b) At the April 2000 meeting of the Standing Committee, the Chairman of the Priorities Fund, the Rev Canon JAA Condell paid tribute to Mr Michael Coote and Mr Elyder Cookman who died during the year. Both were former chairmen of the Priorities Fund.
(c) Accounts for the year ending 31 December 2000 are included as Appendix L on page 202. Contributions to the Fund do not close until the end of February. The amount actually received by 28 February 2001 was £227,938 and IR£137,131.
(d) Following a recommendation from the Priorities Fund Committee, the Standing Committee at its June 2000 meeting agreed that the Diocesan Targets should remain at their current level for the year 2001. A report from the Priorities Fund Committee identifying new objectives and criteria for the operation of the Fund was also agreed. The report is included as Appendix M on page 204.
(e) The recommended allocations from the 2000 Priorities Fund will be considered by the Standing Committee and the Fund allocations will be printed in Priorities News and in the report to the General Synod 2002.
The Standing Committee in September 2000 appointed the following to the Publication of Prayer Book Advisory Committee, which was established to assist the Editor, the Rev Canon JAB Mayne:
|
Rev Canon JAB Mayne |
Mr D McConnell |
|
Rev Canon RB Rountree |
Dr K Milne |
|
Rev M Graham |
Mr WG Wheeler |
|
Mr CG Walker |
Dr AE St Leger |
|
|
|
The Rev Canon JAB Mayne, as Editor of the new Book of Common Prayer, was authorised by the Standing Committee in November 2000, to enter into discussions with prospective publishers. Discussions are with a view to publishing the Book of Common Prayer 2004 on behalf of the General Synod of the Church of Ireland. Canon Mayne reported on the progress of those discussions to the Standing Committee in January 2001.
A Contract Committee was appointed by the Standing Committee in November 2000 to prepare, with the proposed publisher, a draft contract for approval by the Standing Committee. The Contract Committee comprises the Rev Canon JAB Mayne, Dr K Milne, the Chairman of the Liturgical Advisory Committee, the Rt Rev HC Miller, the Chairman of the Central Communications Board, the Most Rev RL Clarke, the Honorary Secretaries of the General Synod and a senior member of the staff of the RCB. Mr JF Buttimore has been appointed to this position.
As reported last year, a loan from the Royalties Fund was approved to finance an interim paperback edition of the Alternative Prayer Book 1984 until publication of the new Prayer Book in 2004 Following discussions with retailers concerning the likely demand for this publication, the Standing Committee decided not to proceed.
The Role of the Church Committee has been considering its future, and proposals for a completely restructured committee with a clearly defined role were considered by the Standing Committee. It was generally agreed that the Committee in its present form no longer serves the needs of the Church of Ireland.
The Standing Committee has agreed terms of reference for the establishment of The Church in Society Committee to replace the present Role of the Church Committee from 1 July 2001. Notes on the origin and development of the Role of the Church Committee together with the terms of reference of the new committee and the reasoning behind the new structure, are included as Appendix N on page 205.
The Code of Good Practice in relation to Safeguarding Trust for use in Northern Ireland, has been reviewed on the authority of the Board of Education. The review reflects updates in a revision of the DHSS document Our Duty to Care and further experience gained since the original publication. The Standing Committee, at its meeting in April 2000, approved a revised text for the Code of Good Practice, for use in Northern Ireland.
As reported last year, the Standing Committee in September 1998 agreed in principle to a report from the Education Sub-Committee of the Sectarianism Working Group, which contained proposals for the development of an education programme on the issues of sectarianism. The Standing Committee in September 1999, appointed a Steering Group to develop a detailed education programme.
The Steering Group made a presentation of its proposed education programme to the Standing Committee in November 2000. The Standing Committee endorsed the presentation, which would be the basis for an application for funding to the International Fund for Ireland and other appropriate sources.
A report from the Sectarianism Steering Group is included as Appendix O on page 209.
The General Synod received reports from the Working Group in the years 1999 and 2000. The proposals for legislation contained in the report last year were welcomed by the Synod, and the Standing Committee was encouraged to present a Bill to the General Synod in 2001. The group was also requested to continue its work on related areas to fulfil the other recommendations contained in the 1999 report. A report from the Working Group is included as Appendix P on page 211 and a Bill to amend Chapter I of the Constitution is contained in the Bill Pamphlet.
The Standing Committee regrets to report to the General Synod, that the following members have died since the last session:
|
Ms HM Miskimmin |
Diocese of Connor |
|
Very Rev J Shearer |
Diocese of Connor |