STANDING COMMITTEE

REPORT OF PROCEEDINGS
laid before
The General Synod
at its
ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-SECOND ORDINARY SESSION
2002

THE GENERAL SYNOD
OF THE
CHURCH OF IRELAND
HONORARY SECRETARIES OF THE GENERAL SYNOD
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

CONTENTS	Page
1.	Summary	121
2.	Names and Attendances of Members	121
3.	The Anglican Communion	123
4.	Anglican Observer at the United Nations	124
5.	Appeal to the General Synod	124
6.	Appointments	125
7.	Audit of Accounts	125
8.	Bishops’ Appeal Advisory Committee	126
9.	Central Communications Board	126
10.	Christian Stewardship Committee	127
11.	Churches Together in Britain and Ireland	127
12.	Church of Ireland Youth Department	128
13.	Church in Society Committee	128
14.	Consolidation of the Constitution	128
15.	Diocesan Registrars’ Fees	129
16.	Diocesan Reorganisation	129
17.	Funding of Ordinands	129
18.	General Synod 2003	130
19.	General Synod Royalties Fund	130
20.	General Synod – Standing Committee Budgets	130
21.	Irish Inter-Church Meeting	131
22.	Irish Council for Television and Radio Affairs	131
23.	Liturgical Resolutions	131
24.	Marriage Law 	132
25.	The National Forum on Europe	132
26.	The Porvoo Communion	133
27.	Priorities Fund	133
28.	Publication of Prayer Book Advisory Committee	139
29.	The Reuilly Declaration	139
30.	Sectarianism Education Project	140
31.	The Standing Committee and the Representative Church Body 	141
32.	Terrorist Action in the United States	141
33.	Obituary	142

APPENDICES
	Page
A	World Development – Bishops’ Appeal Advisory Committee Report	143
B	Central Communications Board Report	151
C	Irish Churches’ Council for Television and Radio Affairs – Report	167
D	Marriage Law Sub-Committee (RI) – Reports on proposed legislation	169
E	Advisory Committee on Law Reform (NI) – Report	175
F 	National Forum on Europe – Report and Submission	178
G	Porvoo Conference Concluding Document – Report on recommendations	182
H	Porvoo Contact Group, Denmark – Report	185
I	The Church of Sweden – Report on visit by the Church of Ireland	188
J	Publication of Prayer Book Advisory Committee – Report	190
K	Sectarianism Education Project – Reports	192
L	Sectarianism Education Project – Scoping Study Project Methodology	196
M	Priorities Fund Account for the Year ending 31 December 2001	202
N	Receipts and Disbursements Account and General Purposes Fund	204

The Standing Committee submits to the General Synod the Report of its proceedings for the period from 24 April 2001 to 12 March 2002.
1.	SUMMARY
The report includes details of the various matters dealt with by the Standing Committee during the year.  The most significant matters were:
•	Review of the Christian Stewardship Organisation (page 127)
•	Review of Marriage Law in the Republic of Ireland (Appendix D, page 169)
•	Review of Marriage Law in Northern Ireland (Appendix E, page 175)
•	The National Forum on Europe (Appendix F, page 178)
•	Sectarianism Education Project (Appendices K and L, pages 192 and 196)
2.	NAMES AND ATTENDANCES OF MEMBERS
During the period six ordinary meetings of the Committee have been held.  The number of meetings attended by each member is placed before his/her name.
Ex-officio Members
THE ARCHBISHOPS AND BISHOPS
THE HONORARY SECRETARIES OF THE GENERAL SYNOD
6	Very Rev H Cassidy
5	Rev Canon RD Harman
6	Mr SR Harper
4	Lady Sheil
Elected Members
Diocese of:
Armagh		6	Rev Canon JM Barton	
		2	Rev IW Ellis	
		4	Mr HW Young	
		5	Mrs J Montgomery	
				
Clogher		6	Very Rev TR Moore	
		5	Rev Canon DP Hoey	
		6	Mr H Stewart	
		0	Mr SF Brooker	
				
Derry		4	Ven MS Harte	
		3	Very Rev WW Morton	
		5	Mr JHD Livingston	
		4	Mr WR Arnold	
				
Down		4	Ven KR Good	
		3	Rev DA McClay	
		1	Mr JD Johnston	
		5	Dr PHC Trimble	
				
Connor		6	Rev Canon JFA Bond	
		6	Rev MJ Elliott	
		6	Mr J Richardson	
		3	Ms CS Turner	
				
Kilmore		6	Rev I Gallagher	
		6	Rev GTW Davison	
		3	Mrs JM Johnston	
		3	Mr N Trenier	
				
Tuam		5	Ven AMA Previté	
		4	Rev Canon GL Hastings	
		3	Mr DJ Auchmuty	
		5	Ms AJ Wills	
				
Dublin		5	Rev Canon NG McEndoo	
	*	2	Rev JS Peoples	
		6	Dr K Milne	
		3	Mr RW Lawson	
				
Meath		3	Rev Canon RW Deane	
		6	Rev Canon JDM Clarke	
		4	Mrs JM Bruton	
		4	Mr G Potterton	
				
Cashel		6	Ven JG Murray	
		5	Very Rev PF Barrett	
		6	Mr G Bradley	
		3	Mr KGT Rothwell	
				
Cork		5	Ven REB White	
		5	Rev Canon MAJ Burrows	
		6	Mr WF Baker	
		5	Dr AE St Leger	
				
Limerick		5	Very Rev JMG Sirr	
		6	Rev SM Neill	
		5	Mr PDG Read	
	●	3	Mr TS Hardy	
				
Co-opted Members
	5	Mr MC Davey		6	Ven RG Hoey	
	5	Rev Canon JAA Condell 		3	Rev Canon KA Kearon 	
	4	Ms C McCutcheon 		5	Mr HRJ Totten	
	6	Rev Canon RB Rountree 				
●	Elected 20 November 2001	*	Elected 22 January 2002	

The Chief Officer and Secretary of the Representative Church Body is entitled to attend and speak at meetings of the Standing Committee (see section 27 of the Report).

COMMITTEES OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE
FINANCE AND ARRANGEMENTS SUB-COMMITTEE
Very Rev TR Moore
Mr G Bradley
The Honorary Secretaries
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	
3.	THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION
The Standing Committee in March 2002 considered a communication from the Anglican Communion concerning the Virginia Report and the meaning of  “Communion” in the Anglican context.   The Virginia Report emanated from the Inter-Anglican Theological and Doctrinal Commission and was a response to a call of the Lambeth Conference of 1988 to consider in some depth the meaning and nature of communion.
A group appointed by the Standing Committee in April 1999 prepared preliminary comments on the Virginia Report and the Standing Committee in March 2002 appointed the same group to respond to the recent communication from the Anglican Communion.  The following were appointed:
Most Rev RL Clarke	Rev Canon MAJ Burrows	Rev Dr AW McCormack
Lady Sheil	Mr JD Johnston	Mr DG Hannon.
4.	Anglican observer at the united nations
The Ven Taimalelagi F Tuatagaloa-Matalavea was recently appointed Anglican Observer at the United Nations, and requested the Church of Ireland to submit an indication of at least three issues which he, as Anglican Observer should pursue with the United Nations.  The following issues were submitted on behalf of the Church of Ireland:
Illegal Immigration
Political and Religious Fundamentalism
International Illegal Drugs Trade
5.	APPEAL TO THE GENERAL SYNOD
The General Synod in 2001 considered an Appeal under Section 32 of Chapter II of the Constitution.  The Synod voted not to exercise its right to hear and determine the appeal, but directed that the question be referred to the Court of the General Synod.  Questions of a legal nature which have arisen in the course of its proceedings, may be referred to the Court for hearing and determination under Section 26(3) of Chapter VIII of the Constitution. 
The Court of the General Synod met on 22 June 2001 and reported as follows:
COURT OF THE GENERAL SYNOD 22 JUNE 2001
The Most Rev RHA Eames, Archbishop of Armagh	Lord Justice Campbell	
The Most Rev WNF Empey, Archbishop of Dublin	Mr RLK Mills	
The Rt Rev BDA Hannon, Bishop of Clogher	Mr WB Stevenson	
His Hon Judge JG Buchanan		
A Court of the General Synod was held on 22 June 2001 at 12 noon in Church House, Armagh.  The Court was convened under Chapter VIII, Section 26(3) of the Constitution of the Church of Ireland, to determine a question of a legal nature i.e. as to whether the Special Meeting of the Diocesan Synod of Cashel, Ossory, Waterford, Leighlin and Lismore held on 29 June 2000 acted within its rules and procedures.
It was determined by those present that the Synod so acted.
Rev Canon VG Stacey, Registrar, Court of the General Synod
6.	APPOINTMENTS
The following appointments were made by the Standing Committee during the year:
Committee etc	Name	
General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, 
Belfast 2001	Rev Canon PF Patterson
Ms CS Turner	
Conference of the Methodist Church, Lisburn 2001	Rev JEC Rutter
Mr GD Woodman	
Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, 
Lisburn 2001	Rev Canon KJ Smyth	
General Synod of the Episcopal Church of Scotland, 
Aberdeen 2001	Very Rev GB Moller	
General Synod of the Church of England, York 2001	Ven REB White	
Church of Ireland Pensions Board	Mr DG Hannon	
Church of Ireland Press	Rev Canon MAJ Burrows
Rev BT Daly
Rev MF Graham
Very Rev WW Morton	
Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, 
Church Representatives Meeting	Rt Rev WP Colton	
Alternates:	Rt Rev JRW Neill
Rev DR Nuzum	
European Commission information visit to Brussels, 
February 2002	Dr E Butler
Rev Canon CA Empey
Rev Canon KA Kearon
Rev EEM Lynch
Dr K Milne
Mr R Roe	
Church of Ireland Youth Department	Rev Dr MJ Elliott	
Consultation on CJD Incidents, London April 2002	Dr E Butler	
7.	AUDIT OF ACCOUNTS
The Standing Committee appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers to audit the accounts of the Representative Church Body.
8.	BISHOPS’ APPEAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
A report from the World Development - Bishops’ Appeal Advisory Committee, including accounts for the year ended 31 December 2001, is included as Appendix A on page 143.
The Standing Committee in June 2000 approved in principle the appointment of a Bishops’ Appeal Education Advisor for a period of two or three years from 1 January 2001, subject to a commitment for co-funding from Christian Aid.  In April 2001 the Standing Committee approved the appointment of the Rev George Pitt to this position in succession to Mrs Bet Aalen.  The Standing Committee also authorised the World Development - Bishops’ Appeal Advisory Committee to pay the employer’s pension contribution to the Church of Ireland Pension Fund in respect of the Education Advisor.
The Bishops’ Appeal Advisory Committee was empowered by the Standing Committee to adopt a formal constitution for the purposes of gaining appropriate charitable recognition from the Inland Revenue.
9.	CENTRAL COMMUNICATIONS BOARD
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 B on page 151.
Revised terms of reference for the restructured Central Communications Board were approved by the General Synod in 2001.
The following were appointed to the Central Communications Board for the period ending 31 May 2003:
Most Rev RL Clarke	representing the House of Bishops	
Rev Canon RD Harman	elected by the Standing Committee	
Dr AE St Leger	elected by the Standing Committee	
Mr RH Sherwood	senior member of Church House staff	
Ms J Maxwell	senior member of Church House staff	
Ven GCS Linney	elected by the Representative Body	
Mr HT Morrison	elected by the Representative Body	
As the Standing Committee in September 2000 appointed the Broadcasting Committee and the Literature Committee for a period of one year to facilitate the restructuring of the CCB, in September 2001 it was necessary to appoint these Committees, together with an Internet Committee, for the period ending 31 May 2003.  The restructured CCB provides for an Internet Committee, which has existed on an informal basis for some years.
The following were elected as members of the Broadcasting Committee for the period ending 31 May 2003:
Ms R Buchanan	Rt Rev WP Colton	
Mr AD Fleck	Rev AJ Forster	
Rev TW Gordon	Dr V Jones	
Rev Dr AW McCormack (CCB Representative)	Rev FJ McDowell	
Dr K Milne (CCB Representative)	Director of Communications (ex officio)	
The following were elected as members of the Literature Committee for the period ending 31 May 2003:
Very Rev MGStA Jackson (CCB Representative)	Rev Canon MC Kennedy	
Rt Rev MHG Mayes	Rev Canon JW McKegney	
Dr K Milne	Rev SA Pragnell	
Mr R Refausse (CCB Representative)	Rev B Treacy	
Ms C West	Very Rev SR White	
Director of Communications (ex officio)		
The following were elected as members of the Internet Committee for the period ending 31 May 2003:
Ms M Carter	Mr K Cinnamond	
Rev M Graham (CCB Representative)	Ven R Hoey (CCB Rep)	
Mr M Larmour	Mr RH Sherwood	
Director of Communications (ex officio)		
10.	CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE
At the request of the Representative Body, the Standing Committee in January 2002 considered the report from John Truscott on the future of the Christian Stewardship Organisation.  The report was commissioned by the Allocations Committee of the Representative Body.  The report recommended that notwithstanding the exemplary work carried out by the Stewardship Organisation over the past forty years, a more contemporary approach to giving was needed in future.  The Christian Stewardship Central Committee in a response to the report was unanimously in favour of accepting the vision and broad principles of the report. 
A small group was appointed to consider the recommendations contained in Part Five of the John Truscott Report and asked to report as soon as practicable.  The group consists of two representatives each from the House of Bishops, the Standing Committee and the Representative Body with power to co-opt two more.  The Very Rev JMG Sirr and the Rev Canon  DP Hoey were appointed to represent the Standing Committee.
11.	CHURCHES TOGETHER IN BRITAIN AND IRELAND
The Rt Rev WP Colton, Bishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross was appointed to serve on the Church Representatives Meeting of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, in place of the Rt Rev MHG Mayes.  Our other representative on the CRM is the Rev RG Gray.  The Rt Rev JRW Neill and the Rev DR Nuzum were appointed alternates.
The Assembly of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland met from 26 February to 1 March 2002 in the Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick.  There was also a preparatory meeting for new members on 25 February.  The programme for the meeting was entitled “In Search of Holy Ground” and aimed to explore where people today encounter God (recognising that it is not so often through the Church) and how the Churches could make available to them the resources of Christian faith and tradition.
The Church of Ireland is entitled to appoint twelve representatives including our two members on the Church Representatives Meeting, and the following were appointed:
Rt Rev WP Colton	Rev Dr IM Ellis	
Rev RG Gray	Ms S Hales	
Ms A Kee	Ms R McKelvey	
Rt Rev JRW Neill	Rev DR Nuzum	
Rev MA Parker	Rev TR Williams	
Rev OMR Donohoe	Ms CS Turner	
		
Alternates:	Dr K Milne	Very Rev LDA Forrest	
	Rev S Gyles	Rev J Hales	
12.	CHURCH OF IRELAND YOUTH DEPARTMENT
The Standing Committee received regular reports from the Church of Ireland Youth Department on plans for the future of the organisation.  Details are contained in the report of the CIYD to the General Synod. 
13.	CHURCH IN SOCIETY COMMITTEE
The Standing Committee in January 2001 approved proposals for the establishment of the Church in Society Committee, to replace the former Role of the Church Committee.  The proposals were reported to the General Synod in 2001, as an Appendix N to the report of the Standing Committee. 
The House of Bishops has nominated the Rt Rev MGStA Jackson as Chairperson of the Committee.
14.	consolidation of the CONSTITUTION
The General Synod of 2001 authorised the Legislation Committee to prepare a Bill to consolidate the Constitution of the Church of Ireland, for consideration by the General Synod in 2002.
In the course of this work, attention was drawn to the reports from the Select Committee on the Canons, which reported to the General Synod in 1973 and 1974.  The Committee considered that it was necessary to submit a Special Bill for any amendments being made to certain Canons as these Canons involved the “Articles, doctrines, rites, rubrics or formularies of the Church”.  It was considered that the particular Canons in this category, as they appear in the 1988 Constitution, are numbers 5, 6, 10, 12, 13, 16, 26, 31 and 32.
As a Special Bill over two years will be required to amend these Canons, it would not have been possible for the General Synod of 2002 to approve the consolidation of the entire Constitution.  Accordingly, the Legislation Committee decided that it is preferable to postpone the Consolidation Bill until 2003 and submit a Resolution to the Synod in 2002 to amend the Canons leading to a Special Bill in 2003. 
In order to clear the way further for the Consolidation Bill in 2003, a Bill is submitted in 2002 to include amendments of substance, which could not be included in the Consolidation Bill.  These are relatively minor matters which arose in the course of preparing the Consolidation Bill and have been approved by the Standing Committee.
15.	DIOCESAN REGISTRARS’ FEES
The Rules Committee of Ecclesiastical Tribunals has submitted a report to the General Synod, for the revision of the Schedule of Fees chargeable by Diocesan Registrars and fees for searches in parish registers, which will be laid on the table on the first day of the Synod.  Each Diocesan Registrar will receive a copy of the report.
16.	DIOCESAN REORGANISATION
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 reported last year, the Standing Committee in November 2000 sanctioned the transfer of the parish of Beara Union from the Diocese of Ross to the Diocese of Cork, subject to this request being confirmed by a resolution of the Diocesan Synod, adopted within one year and communicated to the Honorary Secretaries of the General Synod.
It was reported to the Standing Committee in September 2001 that the Diocesan Synod, at a meeting on 9 June 2001, confirmed the request of the Diocesan Council to transfer Beara Union from the diocese of Ross to the diocese of Cork.
17.	FUNDING OF ORDINANDS
The Standing Committee referred a letter from Connor Diocesan Council concerning the funding of ordinands to the Representative Church Body and the Theological College Council.  In September 2001, the Standing Committee agreed in principle with a proposal from the Theological College Council to establish a fact-finding group to investigate the issue and appointed Mr WF Baker as its representative.
The Theological College Council reported in January 2002 that a fact-finding group had been appointed with Ms C McCutcheon as convenor.  The group aims to produce a preliminary report for the Council by the summer and report to the Standing Committee and other relevant groups thereafter. 
The following have been appointed as members of the group:
Ms C McCutcheon (Theological College Council)
Mr WF Baker (Standing Committee)
Very Rev DR Chillingworth (RCB)
Rev Canon CA Empey (Theological College Principal)
Mr T Irvine (Student Body)
Rev Canon WS Laing (Grants Committee)
Mr D Reardon (Church of Ireland House)
18.	THE GENERAL SYNOD 2003
In accordance with the authority delegated to the Standing Committee by the General Synod in 1982, the meeting of General Synod in 2003 was arranged for 13, 14 and 15 May in the O’Reilly Hall, University College Dublin.
19.	GENERAL SYNOD ROYALTIES FUND
The following allocations were approved:
A grant of IR£1,000 to the APCK to support the publication of a book of millennium essays entitled A Time to Build edited by the Very Rev SR White. 
A grant up to a limit of IR£5,000 for the publication of the Calendar and Collects, as approved by the General Synod, to enable copies to be supplied to every incumbent, curate, licensed auxiliary minister, Church Army evangelist and diocesan reader in the Church of Ireland.
A grant of IR£3,500 to the APCK to assist in the publication of three pamphlets for distribution – one each on the Bible, The Eucharist and the Blessed Virgin Mary.
A grant of up to IR£2,000 to produce a booklet entitled “A Guide to Ordination” to be available free of charge.
20.	GENERAL SYNOD - STANDING COMMITTEE BUDGETS
The Budget Sub-Committee considered budget submissions from various bodies concerning their projected expenditure for the year 2002 and presented a report to the Standing Committee in September 2001.  Following consideration of the report, recommendations were submitted to the Representative Church Body Allocations Committee.
21.	IRISH INTER-CHURCH MEETING
The following were appointed to attend the Irish Inter-Church Meeting Consultation on the Roman Catholic/Lutheran Declaration on Justification, held on 4 June 2001:
Rt Rev JRW Neill	Rt Rev HC Miller	
Very Rev SR White	Rev Canon IM Ellis	
Rev DR Nuzum	Rev BT Daly	
Mr DB O’Callaghan	Rev Dr R Elsdon	
Dr A Pierce		
The Standing Committee nominated the Rev Dr Alan McCormack and Rev Frances Bach to represent the Church of Ireland on a working party on Spirituality in Ireland Today being established by the Irish Inter-Church Meeting.
The Irish Inter-Church Meeting will take place on 19-20 April 2002 at the Dromantine Conference Centre, near Newry.  The main theme will be Pathways to Peacebuilding and will deal with issues arising from the work of the Moving Beyond Sectarianism Project of the Irish School of Ecumenics. 
The Church of Ireland is entitled to appoint six representatives in addition to our three members on the Irish Inter-Church Committee, who are the Archbishop of Armagh, the Very Rev LDA Forrest and the Rev Dr IM Ellis.   The following were appointed to represent the Church of Ireland at the Irish Inter-Church Meeting: 
Rt Rev RCA Henderson	Very Rev DR Chillingworth	
Ven AET Harper	Dr K Milne	
Mrs JM Bruton	Rev TR Williams	
		
Alternates: 	Rt Rev KH Clarke (for Rt Rev RCA Henderson)	
	Mr E Twaddell	Rev Canon WA Lewis	
22.	IRISH COUNCIL FOR TELEVISION AND RADIO AFFAIRS
A report from the Irish Council for Television and Radio Affairs for the year ended 31 March 2001is included as Appendix C on page 167.
23.	LITURGICAL RESOLUTIONS
The General Synod in 2000 amended Standing Order 30 to allow amendments to Special Bills to be submitted up to one month after the first reading stage.  This rule applies to amendments to the Schedules of Liturgical Bills.
At present, members of the Synod see these amendments on the agenda paper for the first time on day one of the Synod at the second reading stage of a Special Bill.  With the support of the Liturgical Advisory Committee, the Honorary Secretaries decided that a draft list of amendments to the Liturgical Bills be circulated with the Synod papers three weeks before the Synod, which would allow consideration by members before the meeting. 
24.	MARRIAGE LAW
The Standing Committee in June 2001 endorsed an initial response to the Republic of Ireland Government’s document Bringing Civil Registration into the 21st Century prepared by the Marriage Law Sub-Committee and authorised the Sub-Committee to enter into further discussion with the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs.
The Sub-Committee met with the Registrar General on 27 June 2001 and submitted a report on this meeting to the Standing Committee.  The initial response and the report on the meeting are included as Appendix D on page 169.
In April 2000, the Church of Ireland submitted a response to a Discussion Paper on reform of Marriage Law in Northern Ireland.  The response was prepared by the Advisory Committee on Law Reform, established for this purpose.  A report on Marriage Law was published by the Law Reform Advisory Committee for Northern Ireland in December 2000 and the Department of Finance and Personnel is now considering implementing the recommendations contained in the report by way of legislative reform.
The Deputy Registrar General in Northern Ireland, invited submissions on the potential equality impact of the proposed review of marriage law and the Advisory Committee on Law Reform prepared a report which was received by the Standing Committee in November 2001.   The report is included as Appendix E on page 175.
As it was felt that clergy will need advice on the changes in marriage law both in Northern Ireland and in the Republic of Ireland, the Standing Committee appointed a small working group to investigate the practical implications of the reform of marriage law in both jurisdictions.  The following were appointed:
Rev Canon JPO Barry	Mrs Claire Burrows
Rev Professor RAB Mollan	Lady Sheil
Rev Canon V Stacey 	Ven REB White
Consultants: Mr MC Davey 	Rev Canon RE Turner 
25.	THE NATIONAL FORUM ON EUROPE
The government in the Republic of Ireland established the National Forum on Europe to facilitate a broad-ranging and inclusive discussion of issues arising from Ireland’s membership of the European Union and questions relating to the debate on the future of Europe.  The Church of Ireland was invited to be represented in the Special Observer Pillar at the Forum, which includes non political organisations in the Republic which may have an interest in European affairs. 
Dr K Milne was appointed to represent the Church of Ireland in this capacity, being the Chairman of the European Affairs Working Group of the former Role of the Church Committee.   The Rev Canon CA Empey was appointed as alternate.  A report on the work of the Forum is included as Appendix F on page 178.  The report also includes the Church of Ireland submission to the Forum.
26.	THE PORVOO COMMUNION
The Standing Committee on 23 January 2001 set up a small ad hoc group to consider the recommendations contained in the Concluding Document of the Porvoo Conference held in Durham in September 2000. The Standing Committee agreed that the proposals contained in the report for a plan of action to study youth cultures, be conveyed to the Porvoo Communion.  A report from the group is included as Appendix G on page 182.
In November 2001 the Standing Committee received a report on the meeting of the Porvoo Contact Group, held in Haslev, Denmark, in September 2001.  The meeting was attended by Ms V Beatty, the Church of Ireland representative on the Contact Group.  The report is included as Appendix H on page 185.
The Church of Ireland was invited to send a delegation to visit the Church of Sweden in November 2001.  The Standing Committee appointed the Most Rev RHA Eames, the Rt Rev JRW Neill, Ms Valerie Beatty and Mrs Andrea Wills.  A report on the visit is included as Appendix I on page 188.
The Porvoo Communion Church Leaders’ Consultation held in Tallinn, Estonia from 7 to 12 March 2002 was attended by the Rt Rev JRW Neill, as Co-chairman, Ms V Beatty, as our Contact Group member and the Rev Canon RD Harman.  The theme of the Consultation was “Church Leadership in a Changing World” and it covered a number of important issues faced by our Church leaders. 
27.	PRIORITIES FUND
(a)	The following allocations from the 2000 Priorities Fund were approved by the Standing Committee in April 2001:
ALLOCATIONS OF GRANTS FROM 2000 PRIORITIES FUND
Ministry	£	
CACTM - Support and training of men and women for the Ministry	25,000	
Theological College - Recruitment and selection of Ordinands	6,500	
Theological College - In-service training of Clergy and Laity	5,000	
House of Bishops - In-service training in each Diocese	35,000	
Church's Ministry of Healing - Extension of Ministry and conferences for clergy and laity	6,000	
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	£87,500	
Retirement		
C of I Pensions Board - Additional income for most needy	12,708	
C of I Pensions Board - Retired Chaplain	441	
	_______	
Sub-total	£13,149	
Education		
GS Board of Education (NI) - Funding to enable the development of Children's Ministry	7,500	
GS Board of Education (RI) - Funding for the development of a new primary religious education programme	20,000	
The Girls' Friendly Society - On-going education for the children and young people of the Church of Ireland	3,000	
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	45,000	
(The above grant to CIYD is given with the proviso that up to 50% is allocated for youth projects at a Diocesan/ Parochial level, the balance being for CIYD's own projects)		
Education Sub-committee Sectarianism Committee - To assist with the funding of a proposed Education Programme on Sectarianism	20,000	
Dublin Diocesan Church Music Committee - To assist with the training of church musicians	2,000	
The Mothers' Union - To assist with funding for community based parenting courses throughout Ireland, facilitated by Mothers' Union members	6,000	
Recorded Church Music Committee - Funding for the provision of CD's/tapes of hymns from the revised Church Hymnal, to assist in the general worship of the Church	6,500	
Hymnal Revision Committee - To help with the costs of producing a Braille edition of the Church Hymnal, in the Braille Department of HM Maghaberry Prison	2,500	
Diocese of Meath and Kildare - Funding to assist applicants to participate in the Pastoral Studies Course	2,000	
Magnificent Seven - Derry and Raphoe - To help with the development of the 	*
Magnificent Seven Youth Initiative in the cross-border diocese of Derry and Raphoe	[10,000]	
New Beginnings Ireland - To alleviate deficit on youth mission trip to Florida during 	*
summer 2000	[1,000]	
	_______	
Sub-total	£114,500	
* see Church of Ireland Youth Department allocation		
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	17,000	
The Mageough Home, Dublin - To assist with funding for the upgrading of houses for elderly ladies	7,500	
St John's House of Rest, Dublin - Funding for the installation of a new gas main and modification of boiler	2,500	
Harcourt Home, Dublin - To assist with the cost of overhauling or replacing heating system	5,000	
C of I Gazette - Funding to maintain and develop the website and help with distribution costs in the Republic	7,000	
Corrymeela Community, Belfast - To help with the cost of publishing a new Worship Book, for use in cross-community programmes at the Centre	3,500	
PAKT Lurgan - To assist with the provision of an efficient volunteer training programme, enabling the reduction of paid staff	10,000	
Care in Crisis, Lurgan - To obtain funding for the 'Love for Life' education programme for young people	2,500	
Central Belfast Contact Centre - To obtain essential seed funding for a Contact Centre, where children of separated families can meet with one or both parents, in a safe and compatible environment	5,000	
C of I Association of Deaf People - To help sustain the needs of deaf people, especially in the education area	2,400	
	_______	
Sub-total	£74,400	
Areas of Need		
Armagh - St Mary's Parish, Aghavilly - To assist with the building of a new parish hall beside the church	5,000	
Clogher - Magheracross Parish - To assist with the cost of setting up a Youth Drop-in Centre	*	[5,000]	
Connor - Glenavy Parish - Funding for the purpose of developing opportunities for Christian witness, in an area of tension	5,000	
Connor - Greenisland Parish - To help with the provision of new kitchen facilities in the Parish Centre, for use by both parish and community	5,000	
Cork - Kinneigh Union - To assist with the purchase of a 'Portakabin' for the sole purpose of providing Sunday School accommodation	2,000	
Derry - St Columb's Cathedral, Londonderry - To assist with funding for the Two Cathedrals' Festival	5,000	
Down - Ballyholme Parish - To give assistance towards the cost of sending a team of 	*
young people to Capetown, to work on a reconciliation project	[1,500]	
Dromore - Christ Church, Kilkeel - To finish the building and setting up of a new drop-in 	*
Centre, providing a safe environment in which young adults of all communities may meet	[2,500]	
Dromore - St John's Parish, Moira - To assist with the cost of establishing a community 	*
based drop-in Centre, to provide a safe environment for young people	[2,000]	
Ferns - St Iberius Church, Wexford - To assist with the provision of much needed kitchen and toilet facilities, in a church that is a centre for community and reconciliation	5,000	
Ferns - St Mary's Church, New Ross - To help with the alterations of a store room at the rear of the church, for use as Sunday School accommodation	2,000	
Glendalough - Dunganstown Union - Funding for a parish mobile home, to provide free holiday accommodation for clergy and their families	2,000	
Ross - Ross Union - To assist with the renovation of a coachman's cottage at the Deanery, to facilitate its use for the development of the ministry, life and outreach of the church	5,000	
	_______	
Sub-total	£36,000	
Reconciliation and Outreach		
Derry and Raphoe Action - This group exists to create self confidence and encourage community development processes within rural Protestant communities in the counties Londonderry, Tyrone and Donegal	5,000	
Kill O'the Grange Parish, (Dublin Diocese) - To build upon and further reconciliation/ peace building, on a North/South and Church of Ireland/Roman Catholic framework	2,500	
Sixmilecross & Termonmaguirke Parishes, (Armagh Diocese) - To assist with funding for an annual Community Festival, which will celebrate both Protestant and Roman Catholic expressions of music and culture	5,000	
Sydenham Cross Community Group, (Down Diocese) - To help with the development of a drop-in centre and community cafe, where the local churches can work together with the community to tackle the many problems in the area	9,000	
Think Again - Diocese of Down & Dromore - To help finance the 'Think Again Initiative' (Renewing the Church 2000-2005), in its outworkings in the parishes of the Diocese	12,000	
	_______	
Sub-total	£33,500	
	_________	
Allocations Grand Total	£359,049	
	_________	
(b)	Allocations from the 2001 Priorities Fund were approved by the Standing Committee in March 2002, a month earlier than in previous years, in order to allow the current year’s allocations to be included in the report to the General Synod.  The allocations are as follows:
ALLOCATIONS OF GRANTS FROM 2001 PRIORITIES FUND
Ministry	€	
		
CACTM - Support and training of men and women for the Ministry	31,744	
Theological College - Recruitment and selection of Ordinands	10,000	
Theological College - In-service training of Clergy and Laity	6,350	
House of Bishops - Provision of in-service training for Clergy in each Diocese	62,500	
Church’s Ministry of Healing - Extension of Ministry and funding of courses	8,000	
C of I Commission on Ministry - Part funding for a 3 day Summit on Ministry in September 2002	10,000	
C of I Chaplaincy, Trinity College, Dublin - Funding for a tripartite ‘festival’, to create anew the meaning of Mardi Gras (and of Lent) for young people in the College	1,000	
‘A Space Apart’, Temple Bar, Dublin - To assist with the provision of a ‘space apart’ in this busy city quarter, where the public can withdraw a while in quiet, to pray, meditate or just be still	10,000	
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	16,434	
	_______	
Sub-total	€156,028	
Retirement		
C of I Pensions Board - Additional income for most needy	6,868	
C of I Pensions Board - Retired Chaplain	667	
Vicar’s Hill Property Committee, Armagh - To help with the refurbishment of No 4 Vicar’s Hill, for use by retired clergy or clergy widows	8,217	
	_______	
Sub-total	€15,752	
Education		
C or I Board of Education (RI) - Funding for the development of a new primary religious education programme	25,400	
Sunday School Society - To provide training for Sunday School teachers and to modernise the sales system to make it more efficient and profitable	2,000	
Dublin & Glendalough Diocesan Church Music Committee - To help with the development of a church music website and the publication and distribution of the newsletter ‘Soundboard’	1,500	
Search - Assistance for a seminar on ‘Authority and the Church’, to be published in Search	1,000	
C of I Broadcasting Committee - To help establish a programme bursary with RTE radio	6,050	
Diocese of Meath & Kildare - To assist applicants to participate in the Pastoral Studies Course	2,540	
Central Communications Board - Financial assistance for the posts of Director of Communications in Dublin and Media Officer in Belfast	33,239	
The following applications all concern youth work and the grants allocated are based on the recommendations made by the Church of Ireland Youth Department		
C of I Youth Department - To help with the development of plans to facilitate and deliver a youth ministry to the Church of Ireland nationally	41,085	
Church Missionary Society - Funding for a residential training programme for young people	822	
Youth Operational Group of Down & Dromore - Funding for the development of a website	1,643	
Down & Dromore Youth Council - Financial assistance for a youth weekend in November 2002	2,465	
St John’s Parish, Moira (Dromore Diocese) - To assist with the running costs of the community based drop-in Centre, providing a safe environment for young people	1,643	
Magheragall Parish (Connor Diocese) - To bring in a youth work organisation for a 3 year period to enhance the youth ministry of the parish and develop an overall youth strategy	4,930	
St Hilda’s Church, Kilmakee (Connor Diocese) - Assistance towards the cost of accommodation for a youth worker in the parish	3,287	
Derryloran Parish (Armagh Diocese) - Funding for a PA system, to enhance the outreach potential for an already existing youth choir	822	
Derry & Raphoe Youth Contact - To develop the work of this youth initiative in the cross-border Diocese of Derry and Raphoe, providing training, advice and resources for young adults	13,147	
Armagh Diocesan Youth Council - Assistance towards the cost of a 3 year strategy for Worship, Faith Development and Reconciliation in the Diocese	8,217	
Movilla Abbey Parish (Down Diocese) - Funding for the establishment of a youth drop-in Centre	4,108	
Carrigrohane Union (Cork Diocese) - Funding towards programme costs for Youth Ministry in the parish	2,000	
Kilkeel Parish Bridge Association (Dromore Diocese) - Assistance towards building costs for Junior Jim’s Afterschools Club	3,287	
Belvoir Parish (Down Diocese) - To assist with the purchase of a video projector for youth services and programmes	1,233	
United Diocesan Youth Council of Limerick - To assist with funding for programme planned for 2002	6,000	
	_______	
Sub-total	€166,418	
Community		
PACT (Protestant Adoption) - Provision of counselling service and comprehensive adoption service	10,000	
C of I Board for Social Responsibility (NI) - Adoption service and development of social work	20,542	
The Mageough Home, Dublin - To assist with funding for the upgrading of houses for elderly ladies	9,000	
St John’s House of Rest, Dublin - To remove a cast iron bath and replace with a ‘drive-in’ shower	4,000	
Harcourt Home, Dublin - Funding for the upgrading of bedrooms and installation of ensuite bathrooms	6,000	
C of I Gazette - Funding to maintain and develop the website and help with the distribution costs in the Republic of Ireland	11,504	
PAKT Lurgan (Parents and Kids Together) - Funding to provide activity and running costs associated with the children’s and youth programmes	13,147	
Shankill Parish Caring Association, Lurgan - Funding to enable the centre to continue its work in the areas of reconciliation, outreach and youth ministry and to provide activities for the elderly	8,217	
Central Belfast Contact Centre - To secure the operation of the Centre, where children of separated families can meet with one or both parents, in a safe and compatible environment	4,930	
Muckross Church Venture Centre, Killarney - Funding for the ongoing improvements to the Centre	2,000	
Cleenish Pursuits Centre, Enniskillen - Funding for the setting up of a weekend conference centre	16,434	
C of I Student Centre, Queen’s University, Belfast - Part funding for the renovation and improvement of the public areas of the Student Centre, to meet legislative and ministry demands	32,868	
Crossroads Social Club, Dublin - Funding to enable the Club run its various activities, where young Church of Ireland people meet up with each other and form new friendships	380	
NI Children’s Holiday Scheme - Assistance with the cost of running a young leaders’ programme	1,643	
The Joseph Project - Funding for the setting up of a counselling service for men and their families, in times of crisis, in St George’s Church, Belfast	3,287	
The Corrymeela Community, Belfast - To help with the training of facilitators in the delivery of ‘Creating Community’, a Christian education reconciliation programme	4,108	
	_______	
Sub-total	€148,060	
Areas of Need		
Ardagh - Ballinalee Parish - Funding for the renovation of the old schoolhouse, to enable its continued use for the development of the ministry and outreach of the four parishes and wider community	2,500	
Ardagh - St John’s Church, Longford - Financial assistance towards the upgrading of the parish hall, to enable the setting up of a Sunday School, to encourage young people to attend church services	6,000	
Armagh - Kildarton Parish - Assistance towards the cost of building and furnishing the new parish hall	4,108	
Clogher - Aghavea Parish - Funding towards the building of a new parish hall beside the Church, a facility which, to date, the parish has never enjoyed	8,217	
Connor - Glenavy Parish - Funding for the purpose of developing opportunities for Christian witness, in an area of tension	8,217	
Kildare - St David’s Church, Naas - Funding for the provision of a portacabin for Sunday School use	3,250	
Leighlin - St Peter’s Church, Kiltegan - To build an extension to the Vestry for Sunday School use and the provision of toilet facilities	6,500	
Meath - Julianstown Union - To assist funding for the Parish Rooms Building Project, adjacent to the Church, to be used for recreation, education and the community	25,000	
Ross - Abbeystrewry Union - Essential repairs to roof of parish hall, which is used by both parish and community	4,000	
	_______	
Sub-total	€67,792	
Reconciliation and Outreach		
Derry & Raphoe Action - Funding to encourage community development processes within rural Protestant communities in the counties Londonderry, Tyrone and Donegal	8,217	
Kill O’the Grange Parish (Dublin Diocese) - To build upon and further reconciliation/ peace building, on a North/South and Church of Ireland/Roman Catholic framework	3,174	
Sixmilecross & Termonmaguirke Parishes (Armagh Diocese) - Funding for an annual Community Festival, which will celebrate both Protestant and Roman Catholic expressions of music and culture	8,217	
Sydenham Cross Community Group (Down Diocese) - To help with the development of a drop-in Centre and community Cafe, where the local churches can work together with the community	9,860	
Think Again - Diocese of Down & Dromore - To help finance the ‘Think Again Initiative’ (Renewing the Church 2000-2005), in its outworkings in the parishes of the Diocese	19,721	
	_______	
Sub-total	€49,189	
	_________	
Allocations Grand Total	€603,239	
	_________	
(c)	Accounts for the year ending 31 December 2001 are included as Appendix M on page 202.  Contributions to the Fund do not close until the end of February.  The amount actually received by 28 February 2002 was €549,410.
(d)	Following a recommendation from the Priorities Fund Committee, the Standing Committee at its June 2001 meeting agreed that the Diocesan Targets should remain at their current level for the year 2001.
28.	PUBLICATION OF PRAYER BOOK ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Standing Committee in September 2000 established the Publication of Prayer Book Advisory Committee to assist the Rev Canon JAB Mayne as editor of the new edition of the Book of Common Prayer to be published in 2004.  A report from the Advisory Committee is included as Appendix J on page 190.
29.	THE REUILLY DECLARATION
As the Reuilly Declaration with the French Lutheran and Reformed Churches has been signed, a Contact Group is being established to implement the commitments contained in the Declaration.  It is anticipated that the group will meet once a year and will comprise of representatives from the signatory Churches. 
The Celtic Churches had agreed to appoint one representative to attend the Reuilly Contact Group on their behalf, with expenses shared accordingly.  The Rev John Luckie of the Scottish Episcopal Church has been appointed as the Celtic representative and co-secretary of the Reuilly Contact Group.
30.	SECTARIANISM EDUCATION PROJECT
In September 2001 the Standing Committee established the Sectarianism Education Project Committee and Working Group in place of the Sectarianism Steering Group.
It was noted that the Irish School of Ecumenics was already involved in implementing sectarianism education and that existing material produced by the ISE should be used as much as possible.   The following resolution was adopted by the Standing Committee:
1.	That the Steering Group be disbanded.
2.	That it be replaced by the Church of Ireland Sectarianism Education Project. 
3.	That the Project be organised with two foci:
a.	A Church of Ireland Sectarianism Education Project Committee of fifteen members be appointed, responsible to Standing Committee for the development and management of the Project with power to co-opt up to three. 
b.	A Working Group of eight members be appointed, responsible to the Project Committee.  The Working Group shall consult with the Chief Officer of the RCB on arrangements for the management of resources and staff and shall report at least twice a year to the Project Committee on the development of its programme.
c.	That the following be appointed to the Church of Ireland Sectarianism Education Project Committee:
Ven AET Harper (Chairman)	Rt Rev RCA Henderson	
Lady Sheil	Dr K Milne	
Rev Canon JA McCullagh	Rev Canon WA Lewis	
Ms A Kee	Very Rev DG Godfrey	
Ms CS Turner	Mr J Friday	
Very Rev SR White	Very Rev RSJH McKelvey	
Rev B Parker	Rev TR Williams	
Mr E Twaddell		
d.	That the following be appointed to the Working Group:
Very Rev DR Chillingworth (Chairman)	Rt Rev KH Clarke	
Mrs J Bruton	Rev OMR Donohoe	
Rev Canon RD Harman	Rev PG Heak	
Rev CB Leeke	Rev WEC Storey	
4.	That the Project Committee be instructed to present an initial report to the Standing Committee in January 2002 on plans for a Sectarianism Education Programme taking into account educational material already available from the Irish School of Ecumenics, Corrymeela, ECONI and other sources.
5.	That the Project Committee be instructed to present detailed proposals for a Sectarianism Education Programme to the Standing Committee for approval in January 2003.
In accordance with Part 4 of the resolution, the Sectarianism Education Project Committee reported to the Standing Committee in January 2002, and again in March outlining plans for a scoping study.  The study will ascertain the attitudes, needs and experiences of clergy and lay people on the issue of sectarianism.   The reports are included as Appendix K on page 192.
The Standing Committee in March 2002 approved the scoping study at a cost of £50,840 as detailed in the document entitled “Scoping Study Project Methodology”, which is included as Appendix L on page 196.  A Consultancy Agreement with Dr Gareth Higgins to implement the scoping study was also approved.
The International Fund for Ireland has agreed to grant a sum of £32,840 towards the cost of the scoping study, which the Standing Committee agreed to accept.  A sum of £20,000 was allocated from the Priorities Fund.
31.	THE STANDING COMMITTEE AND THE REPRESENTATIVE BODY
The Standing Committee agreed in principle to permit the Chief Officer and Secretary of the Representative Body to attend and speak at meetings of the Standing Committee.  The Representative Body approved this proposal in the interests of closer co-operation in relation to financial issues, resources and priorities. 
The Representative Body agreed a corresponding right of attendance, and right to speak, at meetings of the Representative Body of two of the Honorary Secretaries of the General Synod and of one at meetings of the Representative Body’s Executive Committee.  The Honorary Secretaries appointed the Rev Canon RD Harman and Lady Sheil to attend the meetings of the Representative Church Body and Canon Harman to attend meetings of the RCB Executive Committee.
32.	TERRORIST ACTION IN THE UNITED STATES
The Standing Committee in September 2001 prayed for the families of those who died and those injured as a result of the terrorist action in the United States on 11 September.  The following resolution was forwarded to the Provincial Secretary of the Episcopal Church of the United States of America:  
The members of the Standing Committee of the General Synod of the Church of Ireland express their sincere regret and sorrow at the horrific destruction and loss of life in the United States on Tuesday 11th September 2001 caused by terrorist action and offers the sympathy of the Church of Ireland to all who have been bereaved and injured.   The Standing Committee also wishes to record its support for the words of the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, the Most Revd Frank Griswold, in his plea for a way forward other than that based on emotions of rage and revenge. 
The Provincial Secretary of the Episcopal Church of the United States of America has thanked the Standing Committee for the message of sympathy to all those bereaved and injured in the terrorist attack and indicated that the resolution will be brought to the attention of the relevant committee of the Episcopal Church of the United States of America. 
33.	OBITUARY
The Standing Committee regrets to report to the General Synod, that the following member has died since the last session:
Mr G Smyth	Diocese of Cashel and Ossory