Church of Ireland Royal Charter

The Chieftain

The post 1/1/1871, disestablished, Church of Ireland was created by and is governed by the provisions of a British "royal charter". Is it available online anywhere?

Hoagy

The Chieftain wrote: »

The post 1/1/1871, disestablished, Church of Ireland was created by and is governed by the provisions of a British "royal charter". Is it available online anywhere?

I don't think there is a Royal Charter as such, the legal framework was provided by the Irish Church Act 1869 which would have had Royal assent.

After that the Church of Ireland was in charge of its own affairs.

The story is covered in some detail here.

The Chieftain

Hoagy wrote: »

I don't think there is a Royal Charter as such, the legal framework was provided by the Irish Church Act 1869 which would have had Royal assent.

After that the Church of Ireland was in charge of its own affairs.

The story is covered in some detail here.

I am quite certain there was a charter, issued by Victoria. It is referred to in multiple history books. in the CofI website you find a reference to the charter on the page at
http://ireland.anglican.org/about/21

Hoagy

The Irish Church Act 1869 text is here


The only reference to a charter seems to be this one.


Incorporation of Church body.

22If at any time it be shown to the satisfaction of Her Majesty that the bishops, clergy, and laity of the said Church in Ireland, or the persons who, for the time being, may succeed to the exercise and discharge of the episcopal functions of such bishops, and the clergy and laity in communion with such persons, have appointed any persons or body to represent the said Church, and to hold property for any of the uses or purposes thereof, it shall be lawful for Her Majesty by charter to incorporate such body, with power, notwithstanding the statutes of mortmain, to hold lands to such extent as is in this Act provided, but not further or otherwise.


That just seems to provide a legal framework for the CofI to operate, rather than having any input into governance.

The Chieftain

Hoagy wrote: »

The Irish Church Act 1869 text is here


The only reference to a charter seems to be this one.

.... it shall be lawful for Her Majesty by charter to incorporate such body, ....[/I].


That just seems to provide a legal framework for the CofI to operate, rather than having any input into governance.

And generate such a charter is precisely what she did. It is the one that established the present governing structure of the CofI. Seems strange that it is not publicly available.

Hoagy

The Chieftain wrote: »

And generate such a charter is precisely what she did. It is the one that established the present governing structure of the CofI. Seems strange that it is not publicly available.

Well we don't know that it is not publicly available,just that it hasn't popped up in a web search.

In the RCB link I posted above, there is an email address for the recently appointed librarian and archivist. I am sure she will let you know whether such a charter as you describe is extant.

The Chieftain

Hoagy wrote: »

Well we don't know that it is not publicly available,just that it hasn't popped up in a web search.

In the RCB link I posted above, there is an email address for the recently appointed librarian and archivist. I am sure she will let you know whether such a charter as you describe is extant.

Thank you, someday I will get around to it!