THURSDAY'S NEWS

Defeat for Board of Nomination revision
(report courtesy of Rev Gregg Ryan of the Church Times)

A Bill which would have allowed boards of nomination to parishes meet before the departure of an incumbent, and thus speed up the filling of vacancies, was defeated at General Synod.

The Bill, introduced by Mr. Wilfred Baker (Cork) and Ven. Robin Bantry White (Cork) sought to make provision for a parochial board of nomination to meet in circumstances of a prospective vacancy, e.g., where an incumbent has indicated his or her intention to the Bishop or Bishop’s Commissary to resign or retire on a particular date.

Under the present regulations the summoning of a board is precluded before the cure becomes vacant. This dates from the period when voluntary retirement was unusual, and compulsory retirement non-existent.

The sponsors of the Bill contended that in the changed circumstances of the present, where none of these conditions apply and long vacancies are common, it would allow the filling of vacancies at the earliest possible date.

Both the houses of clergy and laity voted down the Bill which some felt deficient on serious issues, including the scenario where a clergyman or woman who had tendered resignation then decided to withdraw it.

(report courtesy of Rev Gregg Ryan of the Church Times)

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