The Church of England logoFaithWorshipLife eventsAbout the Church
Information Contact us
Media Centre Home
Media

General Synod - Summary of Business Conducted on Wednesday 11th February 2009 PM

11 February 2009

 

PRIVATE MEMBER'S MOTION: CHURCH WATER BILLS

Mr Martin Dales (York) moved the following motion, which was carried by the Synod by 282 votes (with no votes against and 3 abstentions):

'That this Synod, concerned about the effect on many parishes of sudden, massive rises in water charges for churches, request, HM Government to remind OFWAT of its obligations to ensure that the water companies adhere to the clear guidance given by the Secretary of State for the Environment in 2000, which states that "there are many non-household users who are not businesses... including places of worship... and it would be inappropriate to charge all non-household customers as if they were businesses".'

Audio of session

 

PRIVATE MEMBER'S MOTION: UNIQUENESS OF CHRIST IN A MULTI-FAITH BRITAIN

Mr Paul Eddy (Winchester) moved the following (amended) motion, which was carried by the Synod by 283 votes to 8 against (with 10 abstentions):

'That this Synod warmly welcome Dr Martin Davie's background paper 'The witness of Scripture, the Fathers amd the historic formularies to the uniqueness of Christ' attached to GS Misc 905B and request the House of Bishops to report to the Synod on their understanding of the uniqueness of Christ in Britain's multi-faith society, and offer examples and commendations of good practice in sharing the gospel of salvation through Christ alone with people of other faiths and of none.'

Audio of session

 

FORTY-THIRD REPORT OF THE STANDING ORDERS COMMITTEE

Synod voted to take note of the report; following debate, various amendments to Standing Orders were approved by the Synod.

Audio of session

 

DIOCESAN SYNOD MOTION: HUMAN TRAFFICKING

The Revd Canon Michael Webb (Newcastle) moved the following amended motion, which was carried by the Synod:

'That this Synod, in celebrating the centenary of the death of Josephine Butler, who is remembered in the Calendar on May 30th,

(a) recognnize and deplore the continuing evil of human trafficking, especially of children and young people;

(b) urge the Church of England to support the work of those who seek to end the traffic and rescue those trapped in it;

(c) support the vigorous implementation of the UK Action Plan on Tackling Human Trafficking, and in particular, call on HM Government to ensure that effective measures are in place to prevent sex workers being trafficked into Britain during the 2012 Olympics;

(d) request the Archbishops' Council to explore the possibility of affiliating to the United Kingdom Human Trafficking Centre in order to combat this traffic as an urgent priority.'

Audio of session