12.05.2014
Productive General Synod Takes Place in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin
The General Synod of the Church of Ireland took place in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin from Thursday May 8 until Saturday May 10. The productive meeting dealt with a wide range of subjects over the three days. Worship was led each morning by the Bishop of Meath and Kildare, the Most Revd Pat Storey, who remembered in prayer the kidnapped Nigerian schoolgirls.
One of the highlights of Synod 2014 was the passing of a Bill which cleared the way for interchangeability of ministry between the Church of Ireland and the Methodist Church in Ireland. The historic Bill providing for the interchangeability of ministry between the two churches only affects the Churches in Ireland but it has come to worldwide attention, members of Synod were told.
Following the vote, the Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Revd Dr Richard Clarke, said this was a wonderful occasion in the life of the Church of Ireland and Irish Methodism and the life of the Church worldwide. The Primate said the Church of Ireland had a great deal to receive from Irish Methodism stating that Methodism epitomised radical generosity and said it was a day for which he had longed for many years.
The President of the Methodist Church in Ireland, Dr Heather Morris, added her words of thanks to those of the Archbishop who praised those who had brought about this moment and thanked the Church of Ireland for its theological rigour and the grace it had brought to the discussions. “It is a great moment and it is also a moment that makes great demands on us,” she said. “The Primate’s address on gifts has echoed through this general synod. I want to add my voice to his plea that we be open to giving but also receiving from each other. The gift of receiving could be the biggest challenge. The challenge is that we allow our traditions to help each other,” she said.
A number of reports were received by Synod including reports from Standing Committee and the Representative Church Body, the Board of Education, the Church of Ireland Youth Department, the Commission on Episcopal Ministry and Structures, the Commission for Christian Unity, the Council for Mission, the Liturgical Advisory Commission and the Select Committee on Human Sexuality in the Context of Christian Belief.
There were motions on alcohol and taxation, religious education in primary schools, the Flesh and Blood Campaign and CICE.
Full reports on all the proceedings of General Synod 2014 can be found on the Synod website www.synod.ireland.anglican.org/2014/
Photo caption: The President of the Methodist Church in Ireland, Dr Heather Morris, with Gillian Kingston, also of the Methodist Church, at General Synod following the vote on interchangeability of ministries.