THE ANNUAL Church of Ireland General Synod takes place in Galway this year for the first time.
It begins today at the Radisson SAS Hotel and continues to Thursday.
The synod will be addressed by President Mary McAleese tomorrow afternoon.
The highlight of today's proceedings is expected to be the address of the Church of Ireland primate Archbishop Alan Harper.
Also to be discussed today is a resolution proposing that a declaration adopted by the 1999 general synod, and which addressed language used in its historic formularies concerning other churches, be included in the Book of Common Prayer.
It refers to such historic formularies as are found in the church's 39 Articles of Religion.
They, for example, include the line that "as the Church of Jerusalem, Alexandria, and Antioch, have erred, so also the Church of Rome hath erred, not only in their living and manner of Ceremonies, but also in matters of Faith."(from Article 19).
Article 22 says that "the Romish Doctrine concerning Purgatory, Pardons, Worshipping and Adoration, as well of Images as of Relics, and also Invocation of Saints, is a fond thing, vainly invented, and grounded upon no warranty of Scripture, but rather repugnant to the Word of God."
Part of Article 28 reads "Transubstantiation (or the change of the substance of Bread and Wine) in the Supper of the Lord, cannot be proved by Holy Writ; but is repugnant to the plain words of Scripture, overthroweth the nature of a Sacrament, and hath given occasion to many superstitions."
While Article 31 reads "Wherefore the sacrifices of Masses, in the which it was commonly said, that the Priest did offer Christ for the quick and the dead, to have remission of pain or guilt, were blasphemous fables, and dangerous deceits."
Article 32 says of priests "it is lawful for them, as for all other Christian men, to marry at their own discretion". The declaration adopted by the general synod in 1999, and which today's resolution seeks to have included in the Book of Common Prayer, said: "Historic documents often stem from periods of deep separation between Christian churches."
It continued "Whilst, in spite of a real degree of convergence, distinct differences remain, negative statements towards other Christian churches should not be seen as representing the spirit of the church today.
"The Church of Ireland affirms all in its tradition that witnesses to the truth of the gospel. It regrets that words written in another age and in a different context should be used in a manner hurtful to or antagonistic towards other Christians."
It adds that "The Church of Ireland seeks the visible unity of the church. "In working towards that goal this church is committed to reaching out towards other churches in a spirit of humility and love, that together all Christians may grow towards unity in life and mission to the glory of God."