Standing Committee & RB
Standing Committee News - November 2005
The Standing Committee of the Church of Ireland met on Tuesday 22 November 2005.
The Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Reverend Robin Eames, welcomed Ms Sarah Williams as Press Officer to the Church of Ireland. Ms Williams will be based in Belfast; the Press Officer role is an all-Ireland position.
Dr Eames paid a special tribute to Mr Wilfred Young who was attending his final meeting of the Standing Committee after some 15 years of service. The Archbishop thanked Mr Young for his contribution to both the Standing Committee and for his Chairmanship of the Priorities Fund Committee.
Appointments
The Rt Revd Michael Jackson, Bishop of Clogher, has been appointed to represent the Church of Ireland at a Consultation on the Diaconate in Finland organised by the Conference of European Churches in December 2005, and also a similar consultation organised by the Porvoo Contact Group to be held in London in January 2006.
The Revd WD Humphries, rector of Stormont parish in Down diocese, has been appointed as a member of the Church in Society Committee, to be Chairperson of the Ecological and Environmental group, following the resignation of Ms S Mew.
The Revd KRJ Hall, rector of Brackaville parish in Armagh diocese, has been appointed acting Chairperson of the Social Justice and Theological (NI) group.
The Revd DI Gillespie, rector of Moy parish in Armagh diocese, has been appointed member of the Broadcasting Committee following the resignation of the Rev FJ McDowell.
Mr Martin O?Connor has been reappointed as Bishops? Appeal Education Advisor for a further period of two years. Mr O?Connor?s dedication and commitment was acknowledged and appreciated by members of the Standing Committee.
Safeguarding Trust
The Standing Committee agreed to bring forward a Bill to the General Synod of 2006 to reinforce the legal standing of Safeguarding Trust. The Bill will provide for a new chapter in the Constitution embodying legislation on child protection.
Synodical Reform
As reported to General Synod in May this year, the Standing Committee in January had been divided on whether its Working Group's proposals on synodical reform should be recommended to Synod. Consequently it was decided that that there was insufficient support for the Working Group?s model on representation and no recommendations were made at that time.
The issue of synodical reform was raised again at the November meeting and, following considerable discussion, the Committee affirmed its earlier decision not to bring any proposals based on the Working Group?s model on representation to the General Synod for 2006. However members of the Committee were reminded that it is always open for members of the General Synod to submit a Private Member?s Bill.
The Book of Common Prayer
The Standing Committee recommended a further reprint of the large print edition of The Book of Common Prayer.
Christian Aid
The Standing Committee ratified the appointment of the Very Rev RD Harman, Dean of Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin as a member of the Nominations Committee of Christian Aid, which was established to recommend the Chair of the Board and the Board members on behalf of the nine members of Christian Aid.
A new governance structure for Christian Aid Ireland has created two new charitable companies for Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The Memorandum and Articles of Association had earlier been signed by the Archbishop of Armagh on behalf of the Church of Ireland.
Statute Law Revision (Republic of Ireland)
Members of the Standing Committee reported further on developments being currently undertaken by the Office of the Attorney General in the Republic of Ireland. The Attorney General?s office is reviewing statute law prior to 1922 in the Statute Law Revision (Pre 1922) Bill 2004 which will begin the process of repealing defunct legislation.
The Standing Committee appointed the following people to monitor this process of legislation to ensure that the Church of Ireland is not adversely affected by the repeal of any pre-1922 Acts:
The Archbishop of Dublin
The Bishop of Cork
Lady Sheil
Mr LJW MacCann SC
Rev Canon RE Turner
Mr G Woodman
Review of Committee Structures
The Standing Committee authorised the Honorary Secretaries to seek from committees and boards of the General Synod a statement of purpose and outline of their objectives over the next three years.