Appointments at C of I central body

The Representative Body of the Church of Ireland met on Tuesday, 17th September 2019, in Church House, Dublin.

Photo above – Ms Ethne Harkness

The Archbishop of Armagh opened the meeting in prayer and welcomed Mr David Lowe to his first meeting of the RB. The Archbishop also congratulated the Ven Andrew Forster, Archdeacon of Ardboe, on his election as Bishop of Derry and Raphoe, and thanked the Bishop of Down and Dromore, on his retirement, for the energy he had given the life of the Church in many times and places.

Ms Julie Beck and Sir Paul Girvan were co–opted as members of the Representative Body. The RB was also informed of the re–election of Mr Basil O’Malley (Down and Dromore) and Ms Cynthia Cherry (Connor).

The Executive Committee reported that new equipment and training, for the digitisation of records at the RCB Library, has been provided through a grant of €100,000 from the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

Recommendations to the Standing Committee of the General Synod regarding minimum approved stipends, pensionable stipends, and the Clergy Pensions Fund were approved.

Above – Mr Michael Johnston

The RB approved the appointment of the following chairpersons of committees, nominated by the Archbishop of Armagh:

Chair, Executive – Mr Henry Saville

Deputy Chair, Executive – Canon Graham Richards

Allocations – Canon Graham Richards

Investment – Mr Kevin Bowers

Property – Mr Keith Roberts

Stipends – Mr Michael Johnston

Library and Archives – Ms Ethne Harkness

Legal Advisory – Mr Lyndon MacCann

Mr Johnston succeeds Mr William Oliver, and Ms Harkness succeeds Dr Michael Webb. The Deputy Chair of the Executive Committee is ex–officio also Chair of the Audit Committee.