The General Synod of the Church of Ireland today approved a resolution which gives leave for a Bill to be introduced to the 2011 General Synod for a new prayer for Northern Ireland to be published in future editions of the Book of Common Prayer.

The draft prayer prays for the legislative assembly and executive and asks that “it give Northern Ireland good governance, serve it with integrity and seek the common good” and asks that “all people may leave peaceably, and grow in respect for one another.”

Proposing the resolution, the Rt Revd Harold Millar, Bishop of Down and Dromore emphasised the history within Anglicanism of prayer for those in authority. “Though this may seem to be a small resolution, just one small prayer...this resolution is a reminder on an election day of the priestly role of the Church in praying in the public square.”

The resolution was formally seconded by the Revd Canon Michael Kennedy (Armagh).

Steven Hillis (Tuam) urged that a similar prayer also be produced in the old form. Replying, the Bishop of Down and Dromore said that there would be an opportunity to present amendments when the Bill comes before General Synod in 2011.

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