Standing Committee & RB
June 2003 meeting
STANDING COMMITTEE
JUNE 2003
History in the making
History was made when the first women priests to be elected to the Standing Committee as representatives of the clergy in their respective dioceses were warmly welcomed to the June meeting by Archbishop Robin Eames, chairman of the committee. They were Rev Gillian Wharton, Diocese of Dublin and Glendalough and Rev Janet White Spunner, Diocese of Limerick.
Human Sexuality
The House of Bishops is to put before the church an outline of the issues that we as Christians need to take into consideration in developing a response to the current debate on human sexuality. Archbishop Eames said this would be done in due course following ?a great deal of careful, prayerful consideration?.
General Synod 2003
The meeting welcomed ?the good spirit? at this year?s General Synod held in the Stillorgan Park Hotel, Dublin and noted that numbers attending over the three days had been high reaching a peak at 485 on the second day. A general discussion on times and timing of business and events included suggestions for earlier starting times on the second and third days and a review of the legislative process. It was noted that many felt the Synod Service held at the end of a busy first day led to ?an impossible rush? and subjected members to ?an endurance test?. Consideration will be given on how to address these issues.
There was general appreciation of the presentation of? ?The Hard Gospel? by Dr Gareth Higgins and calls for greater use of visual aids in presenting information and reports.
New Book of Common Prayer 2004
The public launch of the BCP 2004 will be staged at the General Synod in Armagh next May. This will be followed by presentations in Diocesan Cathedrals on Ascension Day and come into use in parishes from Trinity Sunday 2004 onwards.
The Liturgical Advisory Committee is to arrange with (Church of England) Church House Publishing to produce an electronic module of the Book of Common Prayer 2004 as an add-on to the new Visual Liturgy 4 software.
Covenant Council
The Bishop of Down and Dromore, the Rt Rev Harold Miller, was appointed as co-chairman of the Church of Ireland/Methodist Church Covenant Council.
Marriage Law Reform
The House of Bishops is to consider the implications for the church of proposed changes in civil marriage law in both jurisdictions and issue guidelines in due course.
Synodical Reform
A Synodical Reform Committee was appointed with power to co-opt three additional members: Mr Michael Davey, Rev Stephen Neill, Mr Leslie Johnston, Mrs Joan Bruton and an Honorary Secretary.
Committees
The Standing Committee approved membership of the following committees for the triennial period 2003-2006.
Finance and Arrangements Sub-Committee
Legal Advisory Committee
Priorities Fund Committee
Budget Sub-Committee
Church in Society Committee
World Development ? Bishops? Appeal Advisory Committee
Broadcasting Committee
Literature Committee
Internet Committee
Central Communications Board