13/07/2026
The General Synod voted to commit itself to stand in solidarity with Palestinian Christians and hear their experiences while opposing antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred, in an amended Diocesan Synod Motion.
Members had already voted on Sunday evening to accept and reject proposed amendments to the Kairos Palestine motion brought by the Diocese of Carlise.
After a resumed debate on Monday morning, the amended motion was carried in a counted vote by Houses.
- House of Bishops: for 25; against 0; abstentions 5,
- House of Clergy: for 115; against 20; abstentions 30,
- House of Laity: for 113; against 27; abstentions 35.
Members voted to take note of the Archbishops’ Council annual report for 2025 after hearing a presentation from Canon Alison Coulter, Chair of Archbishops’ Council.
The Archbishops Council Budget for 2027 and proposals for apportionment for 2027 were approved following a presentation from the Chairman of the Archbishops’ Council Finance Committee Carl Hughes.
The morning finished with a debate on a Private Member’s Motion on same sex relationships, first tabled by Professor Helen King. Prof King was unable to be in the Chamber and the debate was led by Professor Muriel Robinson (Diocese of Lincoln).
An amendment to Prof King’s motion, brought by the Dean of Peterborough Christopher Dalliston was carried by the Synod in a counted vote by Houses, while an amendment brought by Dr Jamie Harrison, was lost on a counted vote by Houses. The amendments can be found in Order Paper VI. The motion as amended was lost in counted vote by Houses.
- Amendment 53
- House of Bishops: 17 for; 7 against; 6 abstentions
- House of Clergy: 78 for; 90 against; 4 abstentions
- House of Laity: 88 for; 93 against; 1 abstentions
- Amendment 54
- House of Bishops:12 for; 8 against; 8 abstentions
- House of Clergy:100 for; 68 against; 4 abstentions
- House of Laity:102 for; 76 against; 4 abstentions
- Item 19 as amended
- House of Bishops: 11 for; 14 against; 4 abstentions
- House of Clergy: 93 for; 79 against; 0 abstentions
- House of Laity: 101 for; 83 against; 0 abstentions
The afternoon began with Synod voting to back an amendment to the Vacancy in See Committees (amendment) regulation 2026.
Synod voted to take note of the annual report of the audit and risk committee of the Archbishops’ Council, after a presentation by Peter Doyle, from the Archbishops' Council.
Members also voted to take note of a report on trust and trustworthiness in the Church of England, made up of a qualitative study by Professor Veronica Hope Hailey and a theological commentary by Professor David Ford.
Before the debate and vote, Synod heard presentations from Professors Ford and Hope Hailey, who were introduced to the Synod by the Bishop of Peterborough. The qualitative research was based on 74 interviews across lay and ordained leadership, on experiences and insights of trust and mistrust. The theological commentary explored a biblical theology of trust and how this relates to the themes identified in the qualitative enquiry.
The Synod voted to approve the appointment of the Rev Richard Springer, Rector of St George-in the-East in the Diocese of London, as a new member of the Archbishops’ Council.
The final item of the day was an update on safeguarding from Bishop Robert Springett, the Church of England’s new lead bishop for safeguarding. In his address Bishop Robert, referred to background reports made available to the Synod – the Makin recommendations task and finish group full report and the National Safeguarding Team (NST) report on its activity and achievements in 2026.