The Archdeacon of Dublin, the Venerable Gordon Linney, has announced his resignation as Clerical Republic of Ireland Honorary Secretary of the Standing Committee of the General Synod.
He has held the post since 1992.
Announcing his decision to resign in order to spend more time with his family and parish, the archdeacon expressed his thanks for the comradeship of the other three honorary secretaries - Mr Eleder Cookman, Dean Herbert Cassidy and Mr Sam Harper.
Paying tribute to Archdeacon Linney, the Archbishop of Armagh, Dr Robin Eames, said: "No one outside the office knows just how much the archdeacon has given to being an honorary secretary in the last six years."
A meeting of the southern clergy of the standing committee will be called within the next three weeks to bring forward a name or names to the committee.