News

Diocesan Synod 2014

 


Synod members making their way to the Cathedral Halls after the service

Clogher Diocesan Synod was held in St Macartin's Cathedral Hall, Enniskillen on Thursday 25th September, commencing with a service of Holy Communion in Enniskillen Cathedral. During the service the Old Testament Reading was read by the Revd Neal Phair rector of the Ballybay Group of Parishes, the Psalm was read by the Revd David Cupples of Enniskillen Presbyterian Church, the Epistle was read by Mrs Rita McKechnie a representative of the Roman Catholic Church, the Gospel was read by the Revd Rob Clements curate in Enniskillen Cathedral and the intercessions were led by the Revd Ngozi Njoku rector of the Garrison Group of Parishes. The celebrant was the Bishop, the Rt Revd John McDowell, who was assisted in the administration of Communion by the Dean, the Very Revd Kenneth Hall and the Revd Stephen Woods a representative of the Methodist Church. The hymns were Be thou my vision O Lord of my heart, Lord, enthroned in heavenly splendour, and God has spoken by his prophets.

The Rt Revd John McDowell, Bishop of Clogher, presided at Synod, and the Assessor was Sir Anthony Hart. Synod commenced with a Scripture Reading read by Mr Jim Kerr and prayers led by the Ven. Cecil Pringle, Archdeacon Emeritus.

Observers from Sister Churches included the Revd Stephen Woods and Mrs Laverne Millar of the Methodist Church, the Rt Revd Monsignor Peter O'Reilly and Mrs Rita McKechnie of the Roman Catholic Church, and the Revd David Cupples of the Presbyterian Church.


Revd David Cupples and Revd Stephen Woods

The Revd Brian Harper and the Revd Gary McMurray were elected as Clerical Honorary Secretaries, and Mr John Irvine and Cllr Rosemary Barton were re-elected as Lay Honorary Secretaries.

The Rt Revd Monsignor Peter O'Reilly brought greetings on behalf of the Roman Catholic Church, Revd Stephen Woods on behalf of the Methodist Church, and the Revd David Cupples on behalf of the Presbyterian Church.

Mr John Keating was re-elected to serve as a lay member of the Representative Church Body.
The minutes of the previous Synod were placed on the table, together with communication from the General Synod.

Standing Orders were suspended to allow for a presentation from the Commission on Episcopal Ministry and Structures which was given by the Revd Andrew Foster and Mrs June Butler. Miss Lydia Monds delivered a presentation concerning the Bishops' Appeal.


Mrs June Butler and Revd Andrew Foster


Ms Lydia Monds

The 143rd Report of the Diocesan Council was proposed by Mr Henry Robinson and seconded by the Revd Brian Harper. The Report was considered seriatim and adopted.

Standing Orders were again suspended to allow for the presentation of Medals by the Clogher Diocesan Board of Religious Education which were presented by the Bishop. For the Archbishop Ruddell Prize, first place was awarded to Donagh Sunday School, Glaslough, and second place went to Emma Darling of Galloon Sunday School.


Revd Betty Thompson presented on behalf of Donagh Parish Sunday School


Revd Anita Kerr presented on behalf of Emma Darling Galloon Parish

A motion concerning the transfer of Lisbellaw from the rural deanery of Kilskeery to that of Enniskillen was proposed by the Revd Canon David Skuce and seconded by the Revd James Boyd and adopted.
The Revd James Boyd and the Revd Margaret Pringle presented the Diocesan Youth Council report. The report of the Clogher Diocesan Board of Religious Education was proposed by Mr Jim Kerr and seconded by the Revd Margaret Pringle, and the report of the Clogher Diocesan Board of Mission was proposed by Mrs Doreen Earls and seconded by the Revd Sampson Ajuka.


Dean Kenneth Hall Mrs Hope Kerr and Ms Julie Cooper


Mr Eric Ferguson and Mr Hazlett Moore

The report of the Clogher Diocesan Board of Social Theology in Action was proposed by the Revd Charlie Eames and seconded by Mr Neville Armstrong. The Ministry of Healing report was noted and the report of the Diocesan Glebes Committee was proposed by the Revd Canon Maurice Armstrong and seconded by Mr John Keating.

Synod concluded with the Bishop making a presentation on behalf of the diocese and parishes to the Ven. Cecil Pringle in recognition of the 25 years he served the diocese as Archdeacon, members of synod acknowledged this with a standing ovation.


Bishop McDowell making a presentation to Archdeacon Pringle