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PRESS RELEASE

CHURCH OF IRELAND SYNOD FACES KEY ISSUES

7 May 2002

The Church of Ireland General Synod meeting in Dublin next week (14-16 May) is set to discuss a broad variety of topics relating to Church life and issues of national and international concern.

Canon Desmond Harman, Clerical Honorary Secretary of the General Synod, said: "Reports to the Synod offer an opportunity to discuss a wide variety of topics and issues in the Church. For example, this year the Sectarianism Education Project will outline the way the Church is tackling this difficult subject through a scoping study of the whole island which will lead to parishes engaging in their own programmes."

The Synod will also consider wider issues relating to Europe, education and overseas projects that combat social deprivation and poverty.

The 660-strong Synod will also consider proposals for structural reform. 

Said Canon Harman: " Last year the General Synod rejected the proposals of the Synodical Reform Group which sought to reduce the size of the General Synod. This year a Bill sets out another possibility where the number of clerical representatives would be in proportion of one for every two incumbencies. The number of lay representatives would continue to be 2 to 1. If this bill is passed the total number of members would be substantially greater than at present."

Among the ecumenical guests at the Synod this year is the Revd Harold Good, President of the Methodist Church who has been invited to speak on the first day. The Synod will later discuss the Church of Ireland - Methodist Covenant that involves mutual recognition and sharing of ministries.

A new Book of Common Prayer will be published in 2004. 

Canon Harman said: "Recent synods have been agreeing the format of services to be included in this book. This year there are eleven bills before the Synod and nine of them relate to liturgy. There are also eleven resolutions from the Liturgical Advisory Committee that will lead to Bills next year. The Synod of 2003 will see the completion of this process and the agenda in following years will move in other directions."

The Church's Council for Mission in Ireland will report on factors that encourage Church growth and discouragements that stunt growth. This will include a list of congregations, not all of which are Church of Ireland, that show evidence of growth.

Communication, broadcasting and use of the Internet are important in the life of the Church. Synod will consider various developments and concerns, notably recent cut-backs at RTE that have had serious implications for the broadcasting of church services.

The General Synod Service will be held in Christ Church Cathedral on the first day of Synod, Tuesday, 14 May at 7.30pm. The celebrant will be the Primate and the preacher will be the Bishop of Cork, the Rt. Revd Paul Colton.

Note to Editors

This week the Church of Ireland Gazette published a detailed report on General Synod 2002 by Canon Desmond Harman

Ends