Strong feelings were expressed at the Church of Ireland General Synod in Armagh over last week\u2019s announcement by the Government that its jobs initiative is to be funded by a levy on private sector pensions.<\/p>\n
The synod also agreed to subscribe to, rather than adopt, the Anglican Covenant made necessary by divisions in the worldwide Anglican Communion over gay clergy issues and to include a prayer for Northern Ireland in the Book of Common Prayer.<\/p>\n
Sydney Gamble, chairman of the Representative Church Body executive committee, assured delegates \u201cin light of the strength of feeling expressed . . . that we will indeed be taking every opportunity to make strong representations in relation to our specific situation\u201d\u009d where the pensions\u2019 levy was concerned.<\/p>\n