12/07/2026
General Synod started the day with Sunday Eucharist at York Minster, presided by the Archbishop Stephen Cottrell with a sermon delivered by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally.
The afternoon session opened with an address from the Anglican Communion Guest, Bishop Jorge Cabral of the Lusitanian Church.
Members then discussed Hope for All Creation, a landmark new teaching document from the House of Bishops, offering a theological framework for understanding and responding to environmental crises including climate change and mass extinction
The theme of creation continued as Synod give final approval to a significant change to the ecclesiastical calendar by introducing a new annual “Festival of Creation in Christ”.
It was approved together with a new commemoration of the Twenty-One Martyrs of Libya to the Common Worship Calendar.
The two pieces of liturgical business were passed with two thirds majority in all three houses as follows:
- Bishops: 29 for; 0 against; 0 abstentions
- Clergy: 101 for; 0 against; 0 abstentions
- Laity: 120 for; 1 against; 1 abstention
Also on the theme of environmental crises, Synod heard an update on the progress towards achieving Net Zero.
In the evening session, Synod began to debate the motion brought by the Carlisle Diocesan Synod in Cumbria expressing solidarity with Palestinian Christians. The debate was adjourned shortly before 10pm and resumed on Tuesday.