Day 1
Bill Requiring Parishes to Keep Confirmation Registers Presented at General Synod
A Bill which seeks to require Select Vestries to maintain registers of confirmations passed its first and second stages at General Synod this afternoon (Thursday May 4). The recording of confirmations varies considerably between and within dioceses and certification of a confirmation is necessary at certain times, for example when seeking training for the ordained ministry.
While the Constitution of the Church of Ireland requires parishes to keep registers of baptisms and burials as well as a marriage record book, there is no such requirement relating to confirmations. While some parishes keep records of confirmation others do not.
The purpose of the Bill, proposed by the Bishop of Clogher and the Ven Adrian Wilkinson, is to ensure that records of confirmation are recorded with each parish, and uniformly throughout the Church of Ireland. This requires an amendment to Chapter III of the Constitution.
Speaking to the Bill, Trevor Sargent (Cashel, Ferns and Ossory), suggested that in the spirit of the Bill parishes should be encouraged in celebrating confirmation in the Church of Ireland marking a declaration of involvement in the church. He suggested a role of honour to celebrate those who have been confirmed.
Archdeacon Ricky Rountree (Glendalough) pointed out that the Bill suggests registering the confirmation in the parish in which the confirmation happened but that it should also be kept in their home parish as well, in the event of the confirmation taking place in a cluster of parishes.
In reply, Bishop McDowell said that while the Bill is not perfect, it is better than what is there at the moment.
The Dean of Armagh said there are some cathedrals where there is no select vestry but where confirmations take place and should be considered.
The Bill will receive its third reading on Saturday.