Five bills pass and enacted at General Synod
Five Bills passed their final stages and were enacted at General Synod which finished in Armagh on Saturday 12 May.
Bill No 1 provides for the inclusion of An Order for Morning and Evening Prayer for Use on Sunday, which seeks to provide a clearly defined structure for Sunday worship.
Bill No 3 seeks to make the same provision for the implementation of and adherence to the Church’s new Adult Safeguarding policy by parishes, clergy and diocesan bodies, as is already provided for Safeguarding Trust, the Church’s child protection policy.
Bill No 4 will provide funding for safeguarding work and resources relating to adults by extending the levy on parishes.
Bill No 5 provides for a new model of governance for the cathedral and for the appointment of one Ecumenical Canon and two Honorary Canons (lay or ordained).
Bill No 6 deals with Episcopal elections in Limerick and Killaloe and Tuam, Killala and Achonry. The diocesan councils of Limerick and Killaloe and Tuam, Killala and Achonry have agreed, in principle, to unite both dioceses at a future date, subject to the successful conclusion of conversations, and the agreement of General Synod and of the respective diocesan synods. The Bill would defer any episcopal election should a vacancy occur before 30th September 2019 whilst those deliberations are in train.