The process for February 2.
Following the retirement of the Most Rev. Dr. John Neill at the end of this month, the Episcopal Electoral College (EEC) will meet in Christ Church Cathedral on 2 February to appoint a successor the college will be chaired by the Archbishop of Armagh and held under secrecy
The EEC is made up of the 12 clergy and 12 laity elected by the United Diocese of Dublin and Glendalough in October 2008 at following the Diocesan Synods–part of the triennial elections – and the top three clergy and laymen (in order of votes received) of those elected similarly by the other four dioceses in the Church of Ireland province of Dublin.
The college will be joined by two other bishops nominated by the House of Bishops.
Following a Eucharist in the cathedral, the meeting will be held upstairs in the Music Room. Before lunch, discussions will take place as to the type of person needed to become the new Archbishop.
Following lunch, the meeting will resume with the nominations (by any member or members of the college), of individuals for consideration, and the names will be discussed. Any nominee present at the college will be invited to leave at this point. At the discretion of the chairman, a vote will be taken, the clergy and the laity voting separately.
Who is eligible for nomination? Even for the See of Dublin, it does not have to be a serving Bishop, and any priest of the age of 35 or more is eligible for nomination: however, in the case of the See of Dublin, it is many, many years, since a non-bishop has been elected, though over the years, many have been nominated.
Bishops or priests of other Anglican churches in communion with the Church of Ireland are also eligible for consideration.
Following the initial round or rounds of votes, names may be added or withdrawn and the chairman exercise his discretion.
To be appointed – and the appointment is subject to ratification by the House of Bishops – an individual must obtain not less than two thirds of the votes of both the clergy and laity present and voting. After due process, should no individual nominee achieve the required two thirds of the clergy and lay votes, the chairman may decide to continue the process but, with the agreement of the college, if he fears that the stalemate situation has been reached, the appointment may “lapse” to the House of Bishops which will make an appointment.
The procedure may seem cumbersome, but it is truly democratic and it does work well. –The Church Review, Dublin
Prayers for those involved are posted in the Worship section of Parish Support on this site.