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General Synod - Summary of Business Conducted Sunday 8th July 2007 PM

8 July 2007

 

THE ANGLICAN COVENANT PROPOSAL (GS 1661)

At the invitation of the Presidents, the Most Revd Drexel Gomez (chair of the Anglican Covenant  Design Group) addressed the Synod.

Following debate, the Bishop of Chichester moved the motion:

‘That this Synod:

(a)    affirm its willingness to engage positively with the unanimous recommendation of the Primates in February 2007 for a process designed to produce a covenant for the Anglican Communion;

(b)   note that such a process will only be concluded when any definitive text has been duly considered through the synodical processes of the provinces of the Communion; and

(c)    invite the Presidents, having consulted the House of Bishops and the Archbishops’ Council, to agree the terms of a considered response to the draft from the Covenant Design Group for submission to the Anglican Communion Office by the end of the year.’

This was carried unamended.

 

Link to audio

 

THE ANGLICAN / METHODIST COVENANT

LIVING GOD'S COVENANT: Second Interim Report of the Joint Implementation Commission

Following debate, the Bishop of Peterborough moved the motion:

'That this Synod commend the report as a basis for study and action, to be undertaken wherever possible with representatives of the Methodist Church and of other partner churches.'

This was passed overwhelmingly.

 

Link to audio

 

PRESENT AND PARTICIPATING: A place at the table (GS 1655)

Following debate, the Revd Rose Hudson-Wilkin moved the following amended motion, which was clearly carried by the Synod.

‘That this Synod, rejoicing in the enrichment that minority ethnic Anglicans bring to the Church of England and the wider society, and reaffirming our abhorrence of the grave sinfulness of covert, overt and institutional racism:

(a) request all dioceses to assess what further developments of their structures and practices are needed to secure a greater use of the gifts of minority ethnic people in the life of the Church at all levels and an increase in the number of ethnic minority young people in leadership;

(b) request the Archbishops' Council to review the results of these assessments, consider whether further national action is required and report to Synod within three years; and

(c) reiterate that support for political organisations whose policies engender racism is inconsistent with Christian discipleship.'

 

Audio of debate