Day 1
Bill Proposing New Model of Governance and Additional Canons Presented at Synod
A Bill providing for a new model of governance for St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork and for the appointment of one Ecumenical Canon and two Honorary Canons (lay or ordained) passed its first and second phases at General Synod this afternoon (Thursday May 10).
The Bill arises from a three year strategic plan drawn up by the Parochial Select Vestry of the cathedral parish in 2015 which concluded that a parochial structure centred on a Select Vestry was no longer sufficient to govern an institution of the magnitude of the cathedral.
The new model of governance, which has the unanimous agreement of the Cathedral Select Vestry, favours the introduction of a representative model, similar to school boards of management. The intention is to retain the Parochial Select Vestry, as it is believed to be the most effective way to manage the day to day running of the cathedral, and put in place a Cathedral Board to manage the broader range of issues such as conservation and restoration, employment and policy matters, legal issues and regulatory compliance, large scale fundraising and long term strategic planning for the cathedral’s mission and ministry.
Meanwhile, the Chapter also received proposals that there could, in future, be up to three additional Canons appointed to the Chapter: one Ecumenical Canon and to Honorary Canons, appointed with due regard to the needs of the diocese and the cathedral.
The full proposal was passed by the Diocesan Synod of the United Dioceses of Cork, Cloyne and Ross in June 2017.
The Bill was proposed by the Very Revd Nigel Dunne and Keith Roberts.
The Bill passed its first and second phases and will receive its third reading on Saturday morning.