Dear Friends
It is only a matter of weeks now until we in these United Dioceses will welcome into our midst the General Synod of the Church of Ireland, which will meet in the Lyrath Estate Hotel in Kilkenny on May 8th, 9th and 10th.
This is an historic occasion for us, as it is the first time the General Synod has ever met in these parts. It was set up after Disestablishment in 1871 to be the principal governing body of the church, and until 1985 it never met outside Dublin. This was as the church then owned a Synod Hall of its own in Christ Church Place, and this was the obvious place of meeting.
Once the Synod Hall ceased to be the property of the church, the way was open for the synod to meet elsewhere. Over the last 20 years it has gathered in Belfast, Armagh and Cork on various occasions and after the visit to Kilkenny it will move to Galway in 2008, thus completing its circuit of the provinces. Some members regard its developing peripatetic character as less than desirable. Much as they enjoy the hospitality of different places, they feel that there is more of a party atmosphere replete with sideshows and less attention to humdrum business when the synod keeps exploring new locations. There may be some truth in this, but no doubt Kilkenny will provide just the right blend of gravity, liturgy and levity!
Those in the neighbourhood who are not members of the synod might well find it interesting to drop in for a while to observe proceedings. They will find that seeing the synod at work expresses certain important things about this church -
- Lay members outnumber clerical members by a ratio of two to one
- The synod conducts its business strictly on a parliamentary model. Proposed changes to the church's constitution are introduced as Bills, and debated and 'read' three times before they are passed. Matters of doctrine and liturgy require the consent of two thirds majorities of lay and clerical members voting separately before changes can be made.
- The synod must therefore be seen much more in parliamentary terms than being compared say to a party conference
- The synod is probably the most representative body of all shades of political opinion from every corner of Ireland that ever meets on this island
- Its proceedings are textured by worship, both at the commencement of daily business and also in the context of the Synod Eucharist which this year takes place in St Canice's on the Tuesday evening at 7pm
- Although the clergy and laity may vote separately, they sit in the synod as one House of Representatives. The Bishops function as a separate house, contributing to debates but fairly rarely voting. It is made clear visually that Anglican bishops are not dictators, but constitutional 'bishops in synod'. On the other hand they have certain distinctive rights when it comes to upholding the faith and order of the church, and since 1870 it has been made clear that the 'General Synod...shall have chief legislative power and such administrative power as may be necessary for the Church and consistent with its episcopal constitution' (Preamble and Declaration, 1870 - see Book of Common Prayer, p. 777 ). The Church of Ireland always seeks to discern greater truth through the operation of a most judicious system of checks and balances.
Enough of the solemn aspect! Welcome the synod members among us, show them the beauties of the south-east, share in their worship. And, looking further ahead, I have decided that our own conjoint Diocesan Synods will revert to an autumn date this year and that they therefore will assemble on Thursday 18th October in Wexford.
MICHAEL CASHEL + OSSORY
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