Full summary with links
Summary of General Synod, 7-9 February 2011
The Secretary of State for International Development, the Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell, addressed the Synod at the start of the February session followed by key debates on national Church plans for the quinquennium, Anglican-Roman Catholic relations, clergy discipline, parochial fees, baptism services, and marriage after divorce and the ordained ministry. There was also a presentation on weddings and a Presidential address from the Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu.
A full summary of all sessions is below and a shorter version (suitable for parish magazines) is also available.
Monday 9 February (pm)
INTRODUCTIONS
1 The following were welcomed:
New members
The Rt Revd Stephen Conway (Bishop of Ely)
The Rt Revd Christopher Chessun (Bishop of
Southwark)
The Very Revd David Brindley (Dean of Portsmouth)
The Revd Canon Dr Gavin Ashenden (Southern Universities)
The Revd Dr Kevin Ward (Northern Universities)
Representatives of the Church of England Youth Council
Miss Hannah Page
Miss Anna Smith
The Rt Revd Mark Bryant (Bishop of Jarrow) acting for the Bishop of Durham during the vacancy in See was also welcomed by the Synod.
PRESENTATIONS
2 The Venerable Christine Hardman (the Prolocutor of the Lower House of the Convocation of Canterbury); the Revd Canon Glyn Webster (the Prolocutor of the Lower House of the Convocation of York); Dr Philip Giddings (the Chair of the House of Laity); and Mr Tim Hind (the Vice-Chair of the House of Laity) were presented to the Archbishops (as Joint Presidents).
PROGRESS OF MEASURES AND STATUTORY INSTRUMENTS
3 The ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY reported that:
the Crown Benefices (Parish Representatives) Measure 2010 had come into force on 1st January 2011;
section 2 of the Vacancies in Suffragan Sees and Other Ecclesiastical Offices Measure 2010 had come into force on 1st January 2011;
the provisions of the Ecclesiastical Offices (Terms of Service) Measure 2009 which were not previously in force (other than paragraphs 6, 10, 12 and 13 of Schedule 2), had come into force on 31st January 2011;
the Ecclesiastical Offices (Terms of Service) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2010 and the Ecclesiastical Offices (Terms of Service) (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Order 2010 had been laid before Parliament and had come into force on 1st January 2011; and
he Ecclesiastical Fees (Amendment) Measure, the Mission and Pastoral Measure and the Care of Cathedrals Measure had been found expedient by the Ecclesiastical Committee of Parliament and awaited consideration by the two Houses of Parliament.
Address by the Secretary of State for International Development
The Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell talked about the scope for greater collaboration between Government and the Church on the Millennium Development Goal of partnerships for development.
Mr Mitchell is the first Coalition Minister to address the Synod but previous Cabinet ministers, including the Rt. Hon Hilary Benn in 2004 and the Rt Hon Clare Short in 1998, have addressed the Synod on different aspects of international development.
The Archbishop of Canterbury thanked the Secretary of State and referred to the Church's continued commitment to international development work including the new Anglican Alliance: Development, Relief and Advocacy.
Christian Aid report Poverty: We're all in this Together
REPORT BY THE BUSINESS COMMITTEE GS
1817
5 The motion
'That the Synod do take note of this Report.'
was carried.
VARIATION IN THE ORDER OF BUSINESS
Under Standing Order 9(a)(i) the order of business for the sitting on Wednesday, 9 February was varied by the Chair with the general consent of the Synod to insert immediately after Item 16 a rubric that Item 17 would be taken not later than 12.40 p.m..
DRAFT ACT OF SYNOD ADOPTING THE ANGLICAN COMMUNION COVENANT: REQUIREMENT FOR SPECIAL MAJORITIES ON FINAL APPROVAL
GS
Misc 971 Anglican Communion Covenant: Reference to Diocesan
Synods
6 The motion
'That this Synod resolve that final approval of the Act of Synod adopting the Anglican Communion Covenant shall require the assent of two-thirds of the members of each House present and voting.'
was moved.
The motion
'That the debate be now adjourned and resumed at the July 2012 group of sessions.'
was lost.
6 The motion
'That this Synod resolve that final approval of the Act of Synod adopting the Anglican Communion Covenant shall require the assent of two-thirds of the members of each House present and voting.'
was lost after a division by Houses. The voting was as follows:
|
|
AYES |
NOES |
|
Bishops |
4 |
32 |
|
Clergy |
82 |
92 |
|
Laity |
66 |
112 |
2 abstentions were recorded in the House of Bishops and 1 was recorded in the House of Clergy.
7 Questions 1 to 26, as set out in the Questions Notice Paper, were answered.
Under Standing Order 14(e) the sitting was extended by not more than fifteen minutes by the Chair with the general consent of the Synod.
7 Questions 27 to 37, as set out in the Questions Notice Paper, were answered.
The ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY dismissed the Synod with the blessing.
Tuesday 8 February (am)
The ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY presided at a celebration of Holy Communion.
+SPECIAL AGENDA I
LEGISLATIVE BUSINESS
DRAFT CLERGY DISCIPLINE (AMENDMENT) MEASURE (GS 1814)
Draft Measure for First Consideration
GS 1814
Draft Clergy Discipline (Amendment) Measure
GS 1814X
Explanatory Memorandum
500 The motion
'That the Measure entitled "Clergy Discipline (Amendment) Measure" be considered for revision in committee.'
was carried.
The Chair reported that the draft Clergy Discipline (Amendment) Measure stood automatically committed to a Revision Committee and that notice of amendments must be submitted to the Clerk to the Synod not later than 5.30 p.m. on Monday, 14th March 2011.
AMENDING CODE OF PRACTICE UNDER THE CLERGY DISCIPLINE MEASURE 2003 (GS 1808)
Amending Code of Practice under the Clergy Discipline Measure 2003 for Approval
GS
1808 Amending Code of Practice under Clergy Discipline
Measure
GS
1808X Explanatory Memorandum
502 The motion
'That the Amending Code of Practice under the Clergy Discipline Measure 2003 be considered.'
was carried.
503 The amendment (Item 503 Order Paper II) was carried.
504 The amendment (Item 504 Order Paper II) was carried.
501 The motion
'That the Amending Code of Practice under the Clergy Discipline Measure 2003 be approved.'
was carried.
ETHICAL INVESTMENT POLICY
8 Under Standing Order 97, Mr John Reynolds (Chair of the Ethical Investment Advisory Group) and the Revd Professor Richard Burridge (Vice-Chair of the Ethical Investment Advisory Group) gave a presentation and answered questions with Mr Edward Mason (Secretary to the Ethical Investment Advisory Group).
More information on the Church of England's Ethical Investment Advisory Group
The Chair adjourned the sitting at 12.58 p.m.
Tuesday February
7 (pm)
PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS
9 The ARCHBISHOP OF YORK gave a Presidential Address
CHALLENGES FOR THE NEW QUINQUENNIUM: REPORT FROM THE ARCHBISHOPS' COUNCIL (GS 1815)
10 The motion
'That the Synod do take note of this Report.'
was carried.
APPOINTMENT OF THE CHAIR OF THE BUSINESS COMMITTEE GS 1821
11 The motion
'That this Synod confirm the appointment of the Rt Revd Trevor Willmott, Bishop of Dover as Chair of the Business Committee for a term ending on the appointment of his successor.'
was moved.
The motion
'That the debate be now adjourned.'
was carried after a division of the whole Synod. The voting was as follows:
|
IN FAVOUR |
147 |
|
AGAINST |
119 |
17 abstentions were recorded.
The Chair called the next item of business on the Agenda.
APPOINTMENT OF THE CLERK TO THE SYNOD GS
1820
12 The motion
'That the appointment of Dr Colin Podmore as Clerk to the Synod with effect from 29 March 2011 be confirmed.'
was carried.
WEDDINGS PROJECT
13 Under Standing Order 97, the Rt Revd Paul Bayes (Bishop of Hertford) and Ms Gillian Oliver gave a presentation and, with the Revd Lynda Barley, answered questions.
Read more about the work of the Weddings Project
PAROCHIAL FEES POLICY: REPORT FROM THE ARCHBISHOPS' COUNCIL GS 1813
14 The motion
'That the Synod do take note of this Report.'
was carried.
The ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY dismissed the Synod with the blessing
Wednesday 9 February (am)
The Very Revd Mark Boyling (Dean of Carlisle) led the Synod in prayer.
THE HOUSE OF BISHOPS' STATEMENT ON MARRIAGE AFTER DIVORCE AND THE ORDAINED MINISTRY GS Misc 960
15 The motion
'That the Synod do take note of this report.'
was carried.
21 The motion
'That this Synod request that legislation be brought forward for a system, parallel to that currently in place for those seeking ordination as deacon or priest, requiring the issue of an archiepiscopal faculty before a person who is divorced and remarried and, the other party to that marriage being alive, has a former spouse still living (or who is married to someone who is divorced and has a former spouse still living) can be consecrated as a bishop.'
was lost.
SPECIAL AGENDA IV
DIOCESAN SYNOD MOTIONS
COMMON WORSHIP BAPTISM PROVISION (GS 1816A and GS 1816B)
GS 1816A Common Worship
Baptism Provision (Liverpool DSM)
GS 1816B Common Worship
Baptism Provision (Note from the Secretary General)
16 The motion
'That this Synod request the House of Bishops to ask the Liturgical Commission to prepare material to supplement the Common Worship Baptism provision, comprising additional forms of the Decision, the Prayer over the Water and the Commission, expressed in culturally appropriate and accessible language.'
was moved.
22 The amendment (Item 22 Order Paper III) was carried.
23 The amendment (Item 23 Order Paper III) was carried.
16 The motion (as amended by Items 22 and 23)
'That this Synod request the House of Bishops to ask the Liturgical Commission to prepare material to supplement the Common Worship Initiation provision, including additional forms of the Decision, the Prayer over the Water and the Commission, expressed in accessible language.'
was carried.
ANGLICAN - ROMAN CATHOLIC INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION REPORT: MARY: GRACE AND HOPE IN CHRIST GS1818
17 Under Standing Order 97, the Rt Revd Christopher Hill, Bishop of Guildford (Chair of the Council for Christian Unity), and the Rt Revd George Stack, Auxiliary Bishop in the Diocese of Westminster, gave a presentation.
The Chair adjourned the sitting at 1.00 p.m.
Wednesday 9 February (pm)
ANGLICAN - ROMAN CATHOLIC INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION REPORT: MARY: GRACE AND HOPE IN CHRIST (GS 1818)
GS
1818 Briefing paper by FOAG on ARCIC II - Mary: Grace and Hope in
Christ
GS Misc 872 FOAG Essays on ARCIC II - Mary: Grace and Hope in
Christ
ARCIC II - Mary: Grace and Hope in Christ (original text)
18 The motion
'That this Synod, affirming the aim of Anglican - Roman Catholic theological dialogue "to discover each other's faith as it is today and to appeal to history only for enlightenment, not as a way of perpetuating past controversy" (Preface to The Final Report, 1982), and in the light of recent steps towards setting up ARCIC III:
(i) note the theological assessment of the ARCIC report Mary: Grace and Hope in Chris in the FOAG briefing paper GS 1818 as a contribution to further dialogue;
(ii) welcome exploration of how far Anglicans and Roman Catholics share a common faith and spirituality, based on the Scriptures and the early Ecumenical Councils, with regard to the Blessed Virgin Mary;
(iii) request that, in the context of the quest for closer unity between our two communions, further joint study of the issues identified in GS 1818 be undertaken - in particular, the question of the authority and status of the Roman Catholic dogmas of the Immaculate Conception and the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary for Anglicans; and
(iv) encourage Anglicans to study the report with ecumenical colleagues and in particular, wherever possible, with their Roman Catholic neighbours.'
was moved.
24 The amendment (Item 24 Order Paper III) was lost after a division of the whole Synod. The voting was as follows:
|
IN FAVOUR |
147 |
|
AGAINST |
158 |
25 abstentions were recorded.
25 The amendment (Item 25 Order Paper III) was lost.
The motion
'That the question be now put.'
was carried after a division of the whole Synod. The voting was as follows:
|
IN FAVOUR |
171 |
|
AGAINST |
153 |
10 abstentions were recorded.
The motion for the Closure having been carried, the amendments at Items 26, 27, 28 and 29 of Order Paper III could not be moved.
18 The motion
'That this Synod, affirming the aim of Anglican - Roman Catholic theological dialogue "to discover each other's faith as it is today and to appeal to history only for enlightenment, not as a way of perpetuating past controversy" (Preface to The Final Report, 1982), and in the light of recent steps towards setting up ARCIC III:
(i) note the theological assessment of the ARCIC report Mary: Grace and Hope in Chris in the FOAG briefing paper GS 1818 as a contribution to further dialogue;
(ii) welcome exploration of how far Anglicans and Roman Catholics share a common faith and spirituality, based on the Scriptures and the early Ecumenical Councils, with regard to the Blessed Virgin Mary;
(iii) request that, in the context of the quest for closer unity between our two communions, further joint study of the issues identified in GS 1818 be undertaken - in particular, the question of the authority and status of the Roman Catholic dogmas of the Immaculate Conception and the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary for Anglicans; and
(iv) encourage Anglicans to study the report with ecumenical colleagues and in particular, wherever possible, with their Roman Catholic neighbours.'
was carried.
FAREWELLS
19 The ARCHBISHOP OF YORK paid tribute to Mr Shaun Farrell (Secretary and Chief Executive of the Church of England Pensions Board) and the Revd David Williams (Clerk to the Synod and Head of the Central Secretariat of the Archbishops' Council) who were both retiring shortly.
The ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY also paid tribute to the Rt Revd Michael Scott-Joynt (Bishop of Winchester) who was attending his last meeting of the Synod.
PROROGATION
20 The ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY prorogued the Synod at 4.17 p.m.
Other Synod background papers
(GS Misc and others)
GS Misc 970 Dioceses Commission: Guide to the Review Report No
2
GS Misc 972: Affirming Our Common Humanity
GS Misc 974 Faith, Work and Economic Life
GS Misc 974B Faith, Work and Economic Life (Resources)
GS Misc 977 Central Stipends Authority report (38th)
GS Misc 979 Ordinariate: Questions and Answers
