General Synod 2003: Tuesday's News

This is a thumbnail image of the Archbishop of Armagh speaking at General Synod

This is a thumbnail image of the Archbishops, Bishops, Honorary Secretaries and Members at General Synod

This is a thumbnail image of Members voting at General Synod

This is a thumbnail image of the Archbishops' table at General Synod

TUESDAY'S NEWS

Report on Tuesday morning's business
(from Elaine Whitehouse, Communications Dept, RCB)

The 2003 session of the General Synod opened with scripture and prayers, led according to tradition by the Church of Ireland’s most recently consecrated bishop, the Rt Rev Peter Barrett, Bishop of Cashel.

Reading from the first letter to the Corinthians, the Bishop reflected on the mystery and the call of Easter and led the Synod in a prayer that it should be guided both in what to say and how to say it.
The Rt Rev Peter Barrett, Bishop of Cashel

Following prayer the business of Synod began as a list of members was laid on the table. This year is the first of a new three-year membership term for the General Synod, with many new members taking their seats beside some more familiar faces.

Formal business continued with the appointment of an Assessor, Mr Michael Davey, to advise the Synod on procedural matters, and the re-election of the four Honorary Secretaries to oversee the Synod’s business, followed by the election of the members of the Petitions, Elections and Bills committees.

Opening business having been transacted, the President of the General Synod, the Most Rev Robin Eames, made his annual address, welcoming members and visitors and praying for God’s blessing on the business of this year’s Synod.

Following the presidential address the agenda for the first morning continued with the approval of the timetable for the three-day session and the presentation of various formal communications, following which the legislative business of the Synod began in earnest with the detailed consideration of this year’s bills.

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