Diocesan Synod Motions

… to move on behalf of Canterbury Diocesan Synod:

‘That this Synod:

1. request that the number of candidates presented for confirmation should be recorded, so they could be used by parishes,
2. deaneries or dioceses as one of their measures if they so desired; and
3. support the recording of confirmations, alongside baptisms, weddings and funerals in the annual Statistics for Mission online return.

September 2023

…to move on behalf of the Carlisle Diocesan Synod:

‘That this Synod:

1. endorse the “Cry for Hope” expressed by Palestinian Christians and the ‘Global Kairos for Justice’ coalition (GKfJ);
2. request that the Faith and Order Commission produce a report which analyses and refutes any theological justifications, for example, those promoted by some Christian Zionists, for the oppression of Palestinians;
3. instruct the Ethical Investment Advisory Group to provide guidance to the National Investing Bodies (NIBs) and Dioceses that will enable them to screen their investments and thereby make decisions regarding engagement with, and divestment from, companies which profit from the occupation.’

March 2021

… to move on behalf of the Hereford Diocesan Synod:

‘That this Synod:

1. call upon the Church Commissioners and Archbishops’ Council to undertake everything necessary to effect a redistribution of financial resources directly to Diocesan Stipend Funds to reflect the value of contributions made by Diocesan Boards of Finance to the Church of England Funded Pension Scheme since it was established by the settlement of 1997 (£2.6 billion)
2. call upon Diocesan Boards of Finance to manage the funds redistributed as a result of the above to support parish ministry in the ways discerned locally to be most effective in enabling growth and sustaining the Church of England's commitment to be a Christian presence in every community.’

May 2024

[The Gloucester Diocesan Synod, Coventry Diocesan Synod, Bath & Wells Diocesan Synod, Blackburn Diocesan Synod, Chichester Diocesan Synod and Lincoln Diocesan Synod passed a motion in identical terms.]

… to move on behalf of Lichfield Diocesan Synod:

‘That this Synod request that the Archbishops Council:

1. review current legislative provision dealing with disqualification from holding office on a PCC or synod constituted under the Church Representation Rules;
2. consult the National Safeguarding Team on appropriate safeguarding measures;
3. bring forward proposals to amend the Church Representation Rules and other relevant legislation to allow checks to be made as to the eligibility of individuals to hold office on a PCC or synod; and
4. bring forward legislation to provide a robust and effective means for preventing those who are disqualified on safeguarding or other grounds from being elected to, or holding, office.’

April 2022

… to move on behalf of the Diocesan Synod of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich:

‘That this Synod, mindful of the vital role of parochial clergy in the mission of Church and the current general inadequacy of Diocesan Stipendiary Funds to meet the associated costs especially considering pressures on parish share:

1. acknowledge that the Church Commissioners have made a remarkable turnaround since the once in a generation financial settlement of 1997 that shifted future pension liability to Diocesan Boards of Finance, enabling the Church Commissioners to grow their assets from £3bn to over £10bn, while diocesan funds declined significantly;
2. endorse the ongoing financial review to bring about a more sustainable and just new settlement for the next generation; one that will ensure the Church continues to be able to afford the presence of priests in communities across the land;
3. call for the Church Commissioners together with the Archbishops’ Council to investigate how best to achieve this, including such options as the Church Commissioners:
   • taking back responsibility for clergy pensions;
   • funding a substantial proportion of clergy stipends;
   • ringfencing or transferring £2bn - £3bn in investments to Dioceses.’

July 2024

… to move on behalf of the Diocesan Synod of Oxford:

‘That this Synod, aware of the important aims of the Climate and Nature Bill, the only proposed legislation before the UK Parliament which ensures a comprehensive and joined up approach to the climate and nature emergency, whose aims are broadly to:

1. make sure that the UK cuts its emissions fairly and fully to stand the best chance of keeping 1.5 degrees alive
2. make sure that the UK takes significant steps to reverse the destruction of nature by 2030
3. involve citizens in deciding the fairest way forward;
4. endorse the “Zero Hour” campaign to promote the Climate and Nature Bill.’

November 2024