Day 1
Bill Providing for A Service of Holy Communion by Extension to Those Unable to Attend Comes Before General Synod
A Bill providing for the provision of a service of Holy Communion by Extension for persons unable to be present at the public celebration came before General Synod in Derry/Londonderry this afternoon (Thursday May 16).
This service has had leave for experimental use from the House of Bishops and this period has come to an end. Feedback to the LAC has demonstrated that this provision is used significantly in the Church where pastoral provision in the home often includes Eucharistic Ministry. The provisions in the service are very specifically intended for use in specific pastoral situations and is it is not seen as a mechanism for Eucharistic Ministry in churches where a priest is not present.
A resolution to make provision for the service was passed at Synod in Armagh last year.
Bill No 1 was proposed by the Revd Adrian Dorrian and seconded by Dean Nigel Dunne.
Proposing the Bill, Mr Dorrian said the service had been in use for over a decade in the Church of Ireland with permission from the House of Bishops for experimental use. The material provided a means through which a person who is unable to attend on Sunday morning to receive communion,” he said. It afforded a more direct connection between the congregation and the individual and the service was designed to be used by priests and bishops and by deacons and lay people, he added. “It is a ministry of enrichment and affirmation for both the recipient and the person administering the service,” he stated.
It is not the introduction in a underhand way for the reservation of the Eucharist. It is to allow more people to feel more engaged and allows the inclusion of more people.
The Revd Alan McCann (Connor) asked how the Bill sits with articles 25 and 28 and the legality of carrying the elements around. He felt this changes articles 25 and 28.
Bishop Harold Miller (Down) said he disagreed with Mr McCann, saying that he felt the articles meant that the elements should not be carried around in procession or reserved so that they could be adored. However, carrying them to someone who was ill could be done.
The Assessor Lyndon McCann gave his opinion that the Bill would not involve an amendment to the articles.
The Bill has now passed its first and second stages and will receive a final reading on Saturday.
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