CHURCH OF IRELAND PRESS OFFICE
Church of Ireland House, 61 - 67 Donegall Street, Belfast BT 2QH
Tel Belfast: (028) 90 232 909
Press Officer Brian Parker (M): 07775 927 807
PRESS RELEASE
Press Facilities and Review of business at General Synod 2003
8 May 2003
The General Synod is open to the press and every effort will be
made to help journalists access information, photographs, interviews
and spokespersons over the three days. The following sets out
the basic arrangements and a general outline of this year’s business
agenda. It is hoped to stick to the timetable but some items
may be carried over to the following day.
Venue: STILLORGAN PARK HOTEL, STILLORGAN ROAD, DUBLIN SOUTH
Dates:
TUESDAY, 13 May to THURSDAY, 15 MAY
The
Synod Press Centre is in the Priory Room on the ground floor.
Press Officer: Rev Brian Parker (m) 07775 927 807
Press Centre Numbers: Tel: (01) (003531) 2881621
Fax: (01) (003531) 2831610
E mail:
Church of Ireland Press Officer
Reports and information will be posted daily on this website and
there is also access to general background information on a range of
topics and issues.
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Synod Structure
The Synod consists of three Orders: the Bishops, Clergy and
Laity. These sit together as two Houses: the House of Bishops
and the House of Representatives. The Archbishops and Bishops sit as
the House of Bishops. The diocesan synods elect the members of
the House of Representatives, who hold office for a triennium.
The Archbishop of Armagh is President of the General Synod. The
representation from the 12 dioceses numbers 216 clerical, 432 lay.
There will be a press conference on each of the three days in the
Synod Press Centre in the Sandyford Room at 1pm. The
conference will cover the main topic of the day. There will
also be other opportunities to meet speakers and representatives at
various times throughout the three days.
The Synod Press Centre will be open from 0830 hours each day.
Diocesan Communications Officers will be available to deal with
specific diocesan issues and arrange interviews.
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Day 1, Tuesday 13 May
- President takes the chair at 11 am
- PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS: ARCHBISHOP ROBIN EAMES
- President’s Press Conference in the Synod Press Centre at 1pm
- Liturgical Bills/Business Motions/Liturgical Advisory Committee
Report
This is expected to mark the conclusion of work on the new Book of
Common Prayer due to be published in the Spring of 2004. Bishop
Richard Clarke of Meath and Kildare, speaks of liturgy as ‘a weapon
of mission’. Canon Ricky Rountree is Central Liturgical Officer.
Canon Brian Mayne is Editor of the new book. Bishop Harold Miller of
Down and Dromore is chairman of the Liturgical Advisory Committee.
Go to Report
Go to Bills
- Pensions Board Report.
Go to Report
- Establishment of Severance Fund for Clergy.
Go to Report
- Mr Hilary Morrison, Diocese of Connor, will report on investment
returns and improvements in pension benefits for clergy and widows
over the last 27 years.
The General Synod Service will be held in ST PATRICK’S CATHEDRAL at
7.30pm. The celebrant will be the Archbishop of Dublin, the Most
Revd John Neill and the preacher will be the Rt Revd Michael
Marshall, Incumbent of Holy Trinity, Sloane Square, London.
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Day 2, Wednesday 14 May
- Business starts at 10 am
- Representative Church Body Report.
Go to Report
- THE HARD GOSPEL
UNIQUE SURVEY OF ATTITUDES TO SECTARIANISM
Presentation of one of the most comprehensive pieces of research yet
attempted into one church or denomination in Ireland and their
attitudes to and experiences of sectarianism. Bishop Alan Harper of
Connor is chairman of the Church’s Sectarian Education Project and
Dr Gareth Higgins is author of ‘The Hard Gospel’.
Go to Report
- Press Conference in the Synod Press Centre at 1pm.
‘The Hard Gospel’. Bishop Alan Harper and Dr Gareth Higgins
- Standing Committee Report.
Go to Report
Presented by Mr Wilfred Baker, Diocese of Cork, Cloyne and Ross.
This includes:
Synodical Reform, p162/p269;
Sustainable Development, p235-242;
Marriage Law Reform, p154;
Church in Society, p201;
Church of Ireland/Methodist Covenant/Covenant Council, p152/163/182;
Disability Policy Statement, p155 (p77);
New Book of Common Prayer, p160/190/264
Bishops Appeal, p172
- Commission on Ministry
Chairman is the Most Rev Richard Clarke, Bishop of Meath and Kildare
Go to Report
The Rt Rev Ken Good, Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, will review
progress since the Commission was set up in 1996 and stress the high
calling of the ordained ministry.
- Church’s Ministry of Healing.
Go to Report
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Day 3, Thursday 15 May
- Business starts at 10 am
- Bills as ordered on the first day.
Go to Bills
- EDUCATION
The Most Revd Dr Robin Eames, Archbishop of Armagh is chairman of
the Board of Education (NI) and the Most Rev John Neill, Archbishop
of Dublin, is chairman of the Board of Education (RI).
The Rt Revd Ken Clarke, Bishop of Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh, will
address issues in education in RI, including teacher training and
the schools building programme. Mr Wilfred Young, Diocese of Armagh,
will speak on current educational issues in NI including comments on
the post-primary review.
Go to Report
- Council for Mission in Ireland. Ms Mavis Gibbons sounds a warning
that if we do not fulfil our purpose of mission then we have little
future.
Go to Report
- Council for the Church Overseas.
Go to Report
- Press Conference in the Synod Press Centre at 1pm
The importance of the Church of Ireland in education at both primary
and secondary levels. The Most Rev John Neill, Archbishop of Dublin;
Canon John McCullagh, Education Office (RI) and Rev Ian Ellis,
Education Officer (NI).
- Youth Ministry.
Go to Report
- Christian Unity.
Go to Report
- Marriage Council.
Go to Report
- Board of Social Responsibility.
Go to Report
- Church Buildings.
Go to Report
The General Synod will next meet in the Armagh
City Hotel on 11 - 13 May 2004 |