The Commission on Church Buildings sought and received permission from the General Synod of the Church of Ireland to disband today.

In a motion submitted to the General Synod, the Commission requested the Representative Church Body (RCB) to submit a Bill to the General Synod of 2009 to disband the Commission and to transfer its funds back to the RCB.

The reasons for seeking dissolution were outlined in the Commission’s report, received by the General Synod today also.

The report described the changing statutory context, which has brought stringent heritage legislation to bear upon church buildings.

The report stated that “The days of removing roofs and capping walls of redundant churches are gone, making it much more difficult to dispose of such premises and potentially presenting parishes and dioceses with much greater problems in the event of closure.”

It is the Commission’s view that its terms of reference are outdated, and that a new body is required to advise on the future of redundant churches. Currently the Commission only makes simple recommendations for closure and for grants for demolition or for making redundant churches safe when they are to be left standing.

The report recommends a mechanism for overall liaison between the Church and heritage and grant-giving bodies to explore new options for redundant churches that are no longer required for public worship or for the witness of the Church.