On the first day of the General Synod of the Church of Ireland today in Dublin a Bill to create a new parish in the Diocese of Dublin was given its first and second readings. The bill will create a new parish of St Catherine’s and St James out of the existing St Patrick’s Cathedral Group of parishes.

The bill is being proposed at General Synod at the request of the Dublin and Glendalough Diocesan Synods which, in October 2009, passed a motion urging that from the next vacancy in the Incumbency of the St Patrick’s Cathedral Group of parishes (currently held by the Dean of the Cathedral, the Very Revd Dr Robert MacCarthy) the link between the Cathedral and the Cathedral group of parishes be dissolved and a new parish be created under its own incumbent Vicar.

Proposing the bill the Venerable David Pierpoint said, “the present situation provides for an incumbent (the Dean) who is neither chosen by the Archbishop, nor the diocesan Board of Patronage and as such is quite unique in the Church of Ireland. No parish should have its incumbent appointed by a body made up of those largely from the other dioceses (the Cathedral Chapter).”

Seconding the Archdeacon of Glendalough, the Venerable Ricky Rountree highlighted the historical background to the creation of the St Patrick’s Cathedral Group of parishes and the Christ Church Cathedral group of parishes. The creation of the link between the Cathedral and the group of parishes was, he said, as a result of “the shrinkage of population in what were formerly vibrant large parishes.” He said, “the situation is now different. There is a new sense of confidence, a sense of purpose. This parish group now deserves to be treated as a normal parish in its own right with its own incumbent rather than a Vicar under the authority of the Dean of the Cathedral. It deserves to have its own Board of nomination, and be able to appoint its own incumbent in the normal way of any other parish.”

The Revd Canon Ian Ellis (Dromore) opposed the Bill saying that the select vestry expressed the desire to stay together with the Cathedral. “I am far from convinced that this matter has been properly worked out”, he said. He went on to note that there was a surprising level of opposition to the motion at the Dublin and Glendalough Diocesan Synod. The Revd Canon Michael Kennedy (Armagh) also opposed arguing that the Chapter of the Cathedral had not been adequately consulted. Urging a lot more consideration he said passing the bill would be premature. David Miller (Dublin) expressed concern that the General Synod was discussing the matter in the absence of the Dean of St Patrick’s (the Very Revd Dr Robert MacCarthy) who is not member of General Synod. He urged that consideration of the bill be held over until the Dean is made an ex-officio member of the General Synod. The Revd Canon Horace McKinley (Dublin) opposed the bill arguing that not enough discussion and emphasis on the arguments in favour of the status quo. “St Patrick’s Cathedral”, he said, “is as much part of the city of Dublin as anywhere else.” The Revd Canon Paul Willoughby (Cork) opposed the Bill saying it was a “quick fix.” Ken Gibson (Connor) said there was “something wrong” with the parishioners being unable to choose their incumbent. They are “disenfranchised.” he said.

Summing up the Archdeacon of Dublin disputed the suggestion that there was insufficient consultation on the issue saying that 18 months previously there was a meeting to which members of the Select Vestry and Chapter were invited to discuss the issue. “This bill is not about the Cathedral” he said, “It’s about the parish.”

The Bill passed its first stage by 188 votes in favour to 74 against.

The Synod will return to considering the bill on Saturday 8 May.

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