Day 1
Bill Providing for New Service of Prayer and Naming and Funeral Service in Cases of Miscarriage, Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Passes Second Stage
A Bill which will, if passed, provide for the Service of Prayer and Naming and the Funeral Service in cases of miscarriage, stillbirth and neonatal death was presented at General Synod in Derry/Londonderry this afternoon for its second stage.
A resolution granting leave for the introduction of Bill No 2 was passed by members of General Synod last year.
The legislation arose from the attention of the Liturgical Advisory Committee being drawn to the scarcity of liturgical resources available to assist parents, clergy and pastors in situations of miscarriage, stillbirth and neonatal death.
Proposing Bill No 2, Dean Nigel Dunne (Cork, Cloyne and Ross) said that the Liturgical Advisory Committee had devoted much care and attention to detail when shaping these services not least in response to input from those with particular experience and skills relevant to this field of care.
He added that they were mindful of the scarcity of resources of this kind both within the Anglican tradition and beyond. He added that it was important that “we make such provision in a way that allows both sensitive and flexible responses to what are so often deeply traumatic experiences”.
Discussing on the principle of the Bill, Bishop Pat Storey (Meath and Kildare), said she entirely supported the excellent Bill but said that some of the amendments could bring disunity to the pastoral spirit of this Bill.
The Revd Mark Harvey said that he supported the pastoral nature of the Bill because there was no formal liturgy to enable people to grieve. From a pastoral point of view he pointed out that it was important to offer something to parents.
The Revd Susan Green (Cashel, Ferns and Ossory) said she was conscious that the debate which effects women’s reproductive lives was mostly being conducted by men and urged people to be aware of their unconscious biases. She said much of the State legislation was composed by men. Often women and men looked to the church for a framework to express their feelings and this is a wonderful pastoral response to a need. It is important that we hear women’s voices. For women who have experienced loss, this liturgical development is a caring and pastoral offering.
The Revd Daniel Nuzum (Cork, Cloyne and Ross) said he was proud that the church had brought this Bill. He spoke of his engagement in study, research and presentation in this area. He said that clergy struggled when met with tragedy to find resources and said it was important when discussing the Bill that opinions were shaped by experience and an awareness of what other disciplines were saying. The impact of this loss was immense. He added that pregnancy was a deeply theological experience. He said the Bill was a word of encouragement to the church.
Joan Bruton (Meath and Kildare) spoke of her own experiences and said she was delighted that this would bring comfort to people at a dreadfully sensitive time in their lives.
Dean Maria Jannson (Waterford) said this area was a minefield of pain and the Church of Ireland at its best is gentle and loving and meets people in prayer where they are. She commended the Bill.
Dean Arthur Barrett spoke of his experience and said he was pleased to see the optional language in the service because it would allow clergy to minister to the situation and use the most appropriate parts of the service. He said he had used the service some weeks ago and it was extremely useful and the parents appreciated it.
Canon Barbara Fryday (Cashel, Ferns and Ossory) spoke of her own experience and said she was delighted with the service. As a chaplain in the local hospital she said she had experienced a range of situations and said the new service was absolutely necessary. It was about Christian pastoral care, she stated. She said if parents and families got help immediately, it did help them. What was on offer was good, she said and added that every situation was different.
The Revd Anne Skuse (Cork, Cloyne and Ross) said the liturgy would help people in bereavement and recovery and it also helped them deal with their faith to know that the church meets them at their need and to question and to doubt and to feel that God is present with them.
Ruth Galbraith (Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh) thanked the LAC that there was at long last something where there had been a lack. She said she was thankful that there was no more need for women to be let down.
A large number of amendments to the Bill were tabled. You can view them here.
Synod agreed that the Bill pass this stage and go to its final stage on Saturday morning.
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