At last weeks meeting of Standing Committee there was discussion relating to the recent debate and events in the church concerning serving clergy and civil partnerships, and October’s pastoral letter from the bishops.
The Archbishop of Armagh gave a preliminary outline for the proposed special conference to be held in spring 2012 – dates and venue to be confirmed and separately announced –which would be open to members of General Synod – those elected for the new triennial –although it will not be a meeting of General Synod.
The Standing Committee welcomed the decision by the archbishops and bishops to hold a special conference and authorized the Hon. secretaries to invite members of General Synod to it when requested by the bishops. Standing Committee requested that the bishops report on the proceedings of a conference to General Synod in 2012.