Special Synod: bill defeated
At the special meeting of the General Synod held on Saturday 5th March at Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, the bill proposing that the calling of an electoral college for the See of Tuam, Killala and Achonry be delayed for the time being to allow for consideration of episcopal ministry in the Diocese was defeated. An electoral college for the Diocese of Tuam, Killala and Achnory will, therefore, now be called.
A total of 288 people attended the special synod, 106 clergy, 182 lay people. The vote was: clergy in favour of the bill: 12, clergy against: 88; lay people in favour of the bill: 14, lay people against: 142.
The Archbishop of Armagh, The Most Revd Alan Harper, said, 'I thank everyone who attended the special synod today for the discussion and people’s warmly considered remarks, which brought a good deal of credit on the Church of Ireland. I shall call an electoral college for the Diocese of Tuam, Killala and Achnory if possible before the end of this month and the date will be confirmed in due course.’