A motion was passed by the General Synod of the Church of Ireland today requesting the Representative Church Body (RCB) to publish the costs incurred by the bishops of the Church with the unanimous support of both Houses of the General Synod, the House of Representatives and the House of Bishops, being achieved.

Proposing the motion, Dr Alan Acheson (Connor) argued that the Church of Ireland should follow the example of the Church of England and publish the salaries of bishops and the costs incurred by their ministry.

Referring to the Church of Ireland as a “voluntary organisation depending on the goodwill and the financial support of our members- living and departed”, Dr Acheson stated that “we owe it to our faithful people to provide detailed information in the matter of resourcing their bishops.”

In requesting the RCB to breakdown and publish episcopal costs under the headings of stipends, pension funding, employer’s state contributions, and office, secretarial and travel expenses, Dr Acheson suggested that such a practice will “uncover the fact that some of our bishops are under-resourced in point of administrative support.”

“My purpose has always been to draw attention rather than to demand action. I expressly worded the motion so as to ‘request’, rather than direct, the RCB to make disclosure” he continued.

“All we know is that the episcopal ministry of the Church of Ireland is under-resourced. We do not know where it is under-resourced, but we know that it is.

“Not to publish costs is contrary to best practice and contrary to the practice of other Anglican provinces. Transparency breeds trust” he said.

The motion was formally seconded by Maj. Richard Kilroy (Meath).