General Synod passes five Bills
The five Bills that were presented to Synod on Tuesday for their first and second readings were passed today and will become Statutes of the General Synod 2006.
Bill No 1, amending Chapter IX of the Constitution to ensure that every member of the clergy who is approached with a view to solemnising a marriage is required to fulfil the statutory requirements of the state and as well as complying with the Church of Ireland Marriage Regulations, was passed.
Bill No 2 includes an additional Chapter in the Constitution to make provision for Ministry with Children
During the debate on this Bill, the Revd Canon Patterson (Down & Dromore) called for Synod to think again before passing this Bill. While supporting the ideal of the bill, Canon Patterson said that the legislation was an irrelevance. If there is any significant breach of child protection, it is against both canon law and state law, he said. If a charge of such nature were proven in a civil domain, that would be enough for the ecclesiastical church to impose sanctions. Canon law does not need to shadow the law of the land he said. Canon Patterson described the Bill as “overkill, ill-conceived and unnecessary”.
Canon Brian Johnston (Derry & Raphoe) again asked for this Bill to be brought forward for another year or so. He agreed that such a code should be constitutional. However, he said, as it stands there are issues within the code that are entirely impracticable, particularly in the smaller parishes. He requested that the House turn down the Bill.
Archdeacon Andrew Forster (Elphin) told Synod that he would prefer to see some of the principles of the code enshrined in the Constitution, rather than the Code itself. He emphasized the struggle that many parishes have in implementing this code and he asked that the Proposer and Seconder look at the Bill again. However, Archbishop Eames told the House that it was not possible to amend the Bill at this stage, but just pass it or reject it.
The Very Revd Des Harman (Dublin) accepted that some people may have reservations, but expressed his desire for this Synod to send the message that it is serious about the protection of children.
The Revd Daniel Nuzum (Cork) agreed that if this Bill was not passed, it would not send a good message to the outside world. Parishes, he said, have no option but to implement the code and, if they can’t, then they should review their whole system of ministry to children within that parish. He added that the Church owes it to its volunteers to offer them the support and protection that this legislation would provide.
In response to this debate, the Bishop of Cork told Synod that the beauty of the Bill is that it enshrines the principle of good will, and not the detail. The Code itself is constantly changing, based on people’s experiences within parishes. This legislation allows this evolving work to continue, he said.
Bill No 2 was passed.
Bill No 3 makes provision for the funding of Child Protection Officers
Mr Peter Read (Killaloe) told Synod that there is currently no diocesan treasurer that isn’t struggling already without this extra expense. He reminded members that many dioceses are already funding youth officers and said that the Church should be cautious of asking for such extra money from hard-pressed parishioners.
Mr Gordon Bradley (Cashel) agreed that members of the church are finding it very hard to make ends meet and noted that the figure suggested in the Bill is not specific enough. Mr Des Wallace (Cashel) suggested that these posts be non-denominational and perhaps the Church of Ireland could enter into an agreement with other Churches in the local areas.
John McCullagh (Dublin) explained to Synod that the appointment of these Officers was a necessity and a reality faced by the Boards of Education week by week. As part of their role, the Officers would be constantly reviewing the Code, training, supporting parishes and dioceses, monitoring implementation, and evaluating parishes to see what further support they require. The hiring of such experts would ensure that everyone, children, volunteers and paid youth workers, are kept safe.
Bill No 3 was passed.
Bill No 4, seeking to create a Dean’s Vicar in Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin thus providing a clerical member of staff in addition to the Dean, was passed.
Bill No 5, simplifying procedures relating to the admission and installation of a new Dignatory or new Prebendary into the Chapter of Saint saviour, Connor, in Lisburn Cathedral, was passed.