An act of worship marked the opening of the 2006 General Synod of the Church of Ireland meeting in Armagh City Hotel on the 9th, 10th, and 11th May. Taking the President’s chair at 11.00am, the Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Reverend Dr Robin Eames welcomed Synod Members to Armagh, the Primatial See.
The Honourable Mrs Justice Catherine McGuinness was nominated as Assessor of the Synod. The Assessor’s role is to ensure that the rules governing Synod are followed and to make rulings on any points of order that arise.
As it is the first year of the new triennium, Honorary Secretaries are elected to serve for the three year term. The Honorary Secretaries manage the business of the General Synod and the business of the Standing Committee (which carries on the work of the General Synod out of Session). Traditionally, there are two clerical and two lay Honorary Secretaries, one of each drawn from each of the two Provinces of the Church of Ireland.
The following were elected today to the position of Honorary Secretaries:
Very Revd Desmond Harman (Dublin)
Revd Canon Ian Ellis (Dromore)
Mr Sam Harper (Cashel)
Lady Sheil (Down)
