INTRODUCTION
Like so much else, this year's Synod was very different from what had been planned. As the Church of Ireland marks 150 years since disestablishment, this last Synod of the current triennium was to be held in May in Croke Park, the home of the Gaelic Athletic Association and a politically significant venue. Instead, pursuant to section 30 of the Civil Law and Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Provisions Act) 2020,Footnote 1 which provides for the validity of remote meetings of an unincorporated body, notice was given that an ordinary meeting of the General Synod would be held by electronic communication technology on 1, 2 and, if necessary, 3 December 2020. It was the first Synod for its new President, Archbishop John McDowell, following his translation to Archbishop of Armagh on 28 April 2020.
BUSINESS
The business of Synod was pared down to the essential elements that met legal requirements. The reports, members’ lists etc were laid on the table in front of the archbishop, the recognised legal ‘venue’ for the event. The reports of the Representative Church Body and the Standing Committee were presented to General Synod; all other reports were simply laid on the table. A motion was passed altering standing orders so that notice of a meeting of General Synod could be sent by e-mail rather than only by post. The Synod considered two Bills: one relating to including provisions in the Constitution relating to charitable status, the other to incorporate the Board of the National Cathedral of St Patrick as a company limited by guarantee. The planned legislation on General Synod membership was deferred. As expected, only two of the three scheduled days were necessary for the completion of business.
CHARITABLE STATUS
The development of charities regulation in both Ireland and Northern Ireland has resulted in the respective regulatory authorities (the Charities Regulatory Authority, Ireland and the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland) requiring various elements to be reflected in the governing documents of bodies recognised as registered charities.
In 2015, General Synod had approved Statements of Charitable Purpose and Objects for both jurisdictions and a Statement of Public Benefit for Northern Ireland. Additions to these statements were proposed, some meeting new charity requirements, others adding references to the educational role of the Church, to restrictions on payments to trustees and to ecumenical partnerships. A series of clauses were developed expressing the charitable rules governing the work and mission of the Church and its bodies in both jurisdictions. A Bill was passed which incorporated the new and existing elements into a new chapter in the Constitution satisfying the aforementioned requirements for both jurisdictions to recognise the various bodies of the Church as registered charities.
It was recognised that strong governance and application of these regulations were an important demonstration of Christian witness and attest to the integrity of the Church's structures.
BOARD OF THE NATIONAL CATHEDRAL OF ST PATRICK
The Cathedral Board for the National Cathedral of Saint Patrick, Dublin, manages various functions in relation to the cathedral, including the preservation, restoration and repair of its fabric. The board is undertaking a major project for the repair and restoration of the roof of the cathedral at a cost of approximately €9 million. It was important to facilitate the raising of funds, to enable the contractual arrangements for the project and to provide the protection of limited liability to the members of the board. A Bill was passed which amended the relevant section of the Constitution, enabling the board to be incorporated as a company limited by guarantee – it was previously an unincorporated association with charitable status.
GENERAL SYNOD MEMBERSHIP
The proposed Bill for a phased reduction in members of General Synod was deferred until General Synod 2021.
NOTABLE ANNIVERSARIES
A short film was screened at Synod featuring 62 female clergy of the Church. This was launched at the end of November to mark the thirtieth anniversary of the ordination of women to the priesthood in the Church of Ireland in 1990.
The Church of Ireland was officially disestablished on 1 January 1871, ending its statutory ties with the Church of England and the State.
