General Synod meeting in Galway
The Church of Ireland General Synod is taking place at the Radisson SAS Hotel, Galway from Tuesday 13 May to Thursday 15 May 2008.
On the opening day the Archbishop of Armagh, the Most Reverend Alan Harper, delivered his presidential address. During his address the Archbishop reflected on his recent visit to the Holy Land with other Irish church leaders. He also strongly condemned the car bomb attack on a Police Officer which occurred in Spamount Village, near Castlederg the previous evening. The Archbishop also outlined the vision for the Church of Ireland in the 21st Century. This included the changes in the training of clergy for ministry. Another new departure during the Archbishop's presidential was the use of a video to highlight the work of the Jethro Centre in Lugan. (To download the Archbishop's full Presidential Address click here.)
Other items discussed during the first day's business included pension, four bills and a report of the Church in Society. The Archbishop of Dublin, the Most Reverend Dr John Neill, was the preacher at the Synod Service on Tuesday evening in St Nicholas Collegiate Church, Galway.
On Wednesday, 14 May, for the first time ever the President of Ireland, Mrs Mary McAleese, will address the General Synod. On arrival she will be greeted by the Archbishops of Armagh and Dublin and by the Mayor of Galway, Cllr Tom Costello. She will lunch with the Bishops of the Church of Ireland and other invited guests. Synod will also discuss reports from the Representative Church body (dealing with property, investment and finances) and Standing Committee (dealing with policy and ecumenical matters).
The final day of this year's General Synod will be used to discuss the reports of the Board of Education and receive reports from the Church of Ireland Marriage Council and the Board of Social Responsibility.
Visit the General Synod website for further information and photographs, click here.