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The following draft Bill will be debated during this years General Synod. For further information on amendments and passage through General Synod please contact the General Synod Press Office.

BILL NO 16

Explanatory Memorandum

The purpose of this Bill is to give effect to the proposals contained in Appendix A to the Report of the Representative Body arising from the provisions of the Statute passed by the General Synod in 2001 to provide for the establishment of Provincial Mediation Panels and related matters.

MR S GAMBLE
MOST REV JRW NEILL
(on behalf of the Representative Body)

Bill

To provide for the establishment of a Severance Fund for clergy.

WHEREAS it is expedient to make provision for the establishment of a Severance Fund for clergy;

AND WHEREAS for such purpose it is desirable that a contribution towards the financing of the Severance Fund be raised within each diocese;

Be it enacted by the Archbishops and Bishops and the Clergy and Laity of the Church of Ireland, in General Synod assembled in Dublin in the year 2003, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

1. From 1st January 2004 each diocese shall contribute towards the cost of the Severance Fund at a rate to be determined by the Representative Body not later than 30th June in 2003 and each year thereafter:
   
   Provided that a rate determined for any one year being more than twenty-five per centum in excess of the rate for the year immediately preceding shall become operative only on the passing of an affirmative resolution of the General Synod.
    
2. (1) The contribution from each diocese shall be the sum of the number of cures, including vacant cures, in such diocese at the preceding 30th June (as agreed between the Representative Body and the diocesan council) multiplied by the minimum approved stipend of an incumbent as fixed from time to time by the General Synod in accordance with Section 51(1) of Chapter IV of the Constitution of the Church of Ireland and operative on 1st January of the year to which the contribution relates multiplied by a rate per centum determined by the Representative Body in accordance with clause 1.
   
   (2) In the case of a diocese, part of which is situated in the Republic of Ireland and part of which is situated in Northern Ireland, account shall be taken of the differing figures for minimum approved stipend fixed in respect of incumbents resident in each jurisdiction and the contribution shall be subdivided accordingly.
   
   (3) In the event of disagreement between the Representative Body and the diocesan council as to the number of cures in any diocese, such shall be determined by the decision of the archbishop of the province in which such diocese is situated.
    
3. Contributions shall be payable quarterly in arrears by each diocesan council on 31 March, 30 June, 30th September and 31 December each year or in such other manner as the Representative Body may approve.
    
4. Each diocesan council shall be at liberty to recover in whole or in part the contribution so charged by direct assessment on the individual parishes, unions or groups of parishes, or churches, within its jurisdiction in whatever manner it deems appropriate.
    
5. For the purposes of this Statute the term ‘cure’ shall have the same general meaning as contained in Chapter IV of the Constitution of the Church of Ireland, and shall include:

1. A parish, union or group of parishes under the care of an incumbent appointed under Part III of Chapter IV;
2. A parish, union or group of parishes under the care of a bishop’s curate appointed under Section 42 of Chapter IV;
3. A parish, union or group of parishes assigned to the immediate care of a vicar appointed under Part X of Chapter IV;
4. A parish, union or group of parishes in respect of which a certificate has been issued by the Representative Body under Section 52 of Chapter IV;
5. A “light-duty parish” as defined by Section 62 of Chapter IV;
6. A cathedral which is non-parochial.
7. The Representative Body shall at the ordinary session of the General Synod in 2008 and quinquennially thereafter, and may at any other session, present a report on the implementation of this Statute, specifying any amendment which may appear to be necessary or expedient.

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