The one hundred and forty-first ordinary session of the General Synod opened
shortly after 10.00am today, with a short act of worship led by the Bishop of
Limerick and Killaloe, the Rt Rev Trevor Williams.

The Most Rev Alan Harper, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of all Ireland, in
the Chair, welcomed members of Synod and the Synod's ecumenical guests in
attendance, some of whom will be invited to address the session over the coming
days.

The formal opening business of the Synod session proceeded with the nomination
of the Primate's assessor, Mr Lyndon MacCann SC, and the election of Mrs Ethne
Harkness as a lay Honorary Secretary of the General Synod, to fill the vacancy
arising from the recent retirement of Canon Lady Sheil.

The Primate is now giving his opening address to the Synod.

::synod::