At the 2006 General Synod in Armagh, a Resolution was passed, seeking leave to be given for the introduction of a Bill in 2007 which would correct an anomaly in those parts of the Book of Common Prayer entitled The Calendar and The Table of Readings which occurs on those occasions when Christmas Day falls on a Sunday, and to include a note in that part entitled The Collects.

Following on from this Resolution, Bill No.1, proposed by the Revd Ricky Rountree (Glendalough), was today put before Synod.  This Bill was formally seconded by the Rt Revd Michael Burrows, Bishop of Cashel & Ossory.

Bill No.2 carries into effect the second Resolution of General Synod of 2006 to amend Statute Chapter II of 1990 by substituting for THE INSTITUTION OF AN INCUMBENT (AN ALTERNATIVE ORDER), The Institution of an Incumbent for use in churches of the Church of Ireland. 

Currently, the Book of Common Prayer 2004 does not contain a service for the Institution of an Incumbent and the Liturgical Advisory Committee has long felt that, while not seeking to diminish the flexibility and originality that can be expressed in Institutions across the various dioceses, the provision of a standard service would be both appropriate and helpful to those preparing and taking part in such an occasion.

This Bill was, again, proposed by the Revd Canon Ricky Rountree (Glendalough) and seconded by the Rt Revd Michael Burrows, Bishop of Cashel and Ossory.

A number of amendments to this Bill were tabled.  With regard to the first amendment, referring to applause during the service, Mr William Ross (Derry & Raphoe) queried whether it would be preferable to insert “The Bishop may invite the congregation to applaud” instead of “Applause is appropriate”.  Canon Rountree responded that, as this forms part of the rubric, this line may be ignored at the discretion of the individual bishop.  The amendment was put to the House and was carried.

The third amendment asks for the words “share in my ministry to” to be removed.  The Venerable Andrew Forster (Elphin) supported this amendment, as it would remove ambiguity and misunderstanding about the nature of the Church order and would highlight the mutuality of all ministry, not just that as delegated by the bishops.

The Revd Canon John McKegney (Armagh) spoke against this amendment, reminding the Synod that the bishop is the focus of unity within the diocese. Therefore it would be illogical to take out this line at this point.

The Bishop of Cashel also asked the House to reject the amendment. Bishops represent the universal nature of baptism, he told Synod, ensuring them that the wording of the Bill had been very carefully studied and that there was no departure from the traditional Anglican formularies. 
This amendment was put to the House and was carried.

The fourth amendment, in the name of the Rev Canon DH Williams and the Revd Canon MC Kennedy, was passed.  However, the fifth and sixth amendments, also in the names of Canon Williams and Canon Kennedy, were rejected. 

Both Bill No.1 and No.2 were approved by Synod and will receive their third and final readings on Thursday.  The full texts of these Bills and their accompanying Schedules can be read here.