Day 1
Bill Seeks to Amend Episcopal Electoral College Process
A Bill which, if passed, will result in amendments to the Episcopal Electoral College process was proposed at General Synod in Armagh this morning (Friday May 10).
Bill No 8 comes to Synod following recommendations by a working group established to review the effectiveness of the new arrangements which were approved by General Synod in 2016. The working group has consulted extensively and developed additional regulations and proposed some amendments to the procedure which is contained in Chapter VI of the Constitution.
The Bill was proposed by the Bishop of Connor and seconded by Hazel Corrigan.
Proposing the Bill, the Bishop of Connor said that the new electoral college process has been used twice in the Province of Dublin and four times in the Province of Armagh which meant that it was now useful to review.
He explained that the Bill addresses the anomalies caused by the reduction of the number of dioceses in the Province of Armagh following the amalgamation of the Diocese of Tuam, Kilalla and Killaloe. It also relates to the work of the shortlisting committee which has never had to shortlist candidates but has carried out due diligence. The change means that shortlisting will be done by the whole electoral college while a smaller committee will carry out due diligence.
The Bill will receive its third reading on Tuesday May 14.