Members of Synod discussed Episcopal ministry and structures during an informal breakout session of General Synod this afternoon. Mrs Ethne Harkness thanked everyone for taking part in the session and said that the commission would publish the findings of the sessions in due course.

“The message of our first engagement with Synod is that we want to initiate debate, to encourage broader perspectives and new thinking, to listen to voices from all over the Church, to stimulate participation and respond to concerns. That is effective consultation and two–way communication. So thank you, Archbishop, and our thanks to General Synod members, for supporting us in doing that,” she said.

She stressed that this was an interim report and while they had worked hard it was too early for recommendations. She said three issues were given particular attention.

The first issue they looked at was models of episcopacy allowing bishops to carry out other ecclesiastical roles. “All our bishops already have a multiplicity of roles, but do we want to expand on that? In principle, our approach is for flexibility– but with constitutional clarity,” she said suggesting looking at possibilities like:

• A Bishop in one diocese performing episcopal functions in another;
• A Bishop holding an incumbency;
• A Bishop acting as an honorary assistant bishop of another see;
• A Bishop having a role in addition to his or her diocesan duties – for example, as Head of Prison Chaplaincies, Head of Hospital Chaplaincies, Bishop to the Forces, perhaps a specialism role in education – school, university or college.

The second issue to be examined was electoral colleges. “We have done a lot of work in this area, with much more to do, including examining how our arrangements compare with what other churches do. We have noted in the Report some areas for attention, including the size and membership of electoral colleges and the information made available before decisions are taken,” she said. She said they were not in a position to make recommendations on these issues yet but we would have recommendations for Synod to consider next year.

On the issue of provincial structures, Mrs Harkness said a clearer picture of diocesan arrangements was needed before the commission could say what changes may be appropriate as regards provinces and Archbishops.

“It is clear that episcopal ministry matters to us in the Church of Ireland and beyond. Our Bishops are not regional managers of a big corporation. They are charged with leading the Church in mission in the twenty–first century. We are not discussing servicing the office of a chief executive – we are looking for structures that support ministry. We know there are concerns – theological, practical and financial – and a sense of urgency. Yes – this is only an interim report but we are committed to the task. With a year of hard work ahead of us, we aim to bring a coherent set of recommendations for renewing episcopal ministry and providing effective and sustainable structures to Synod in 2014,” she said.

The motion was seconded by Roy Totten (Connor).

The Revd Sarah Groves of the Moravian Church shared Moravian perspectives on bishops who she said were deeply valued but work in a different way.

Lady Shiel said she was glad to be reassured that the Church of Ireland was and would remain an Episcopal Church.

The report was accepted.