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Key debates on Senior Church Appointments, Anglican Communion Covenant, Marriage Law and Iran at the York Synod

18 June 2007

Major items of concern to the Church’s mission and ministry, the Church’s wider relations and the Church’s engagement with society will be discussed at the General Synod when it meets at York University from Friday, July 6, to Tuesday, July 10. There is also an emphasis on the Church’s resources, including items on clergy pensions and on the Church Commissioners. There are several special addresses and presentations, including an address by Sir Albert Aynsley-Green, the Children’s Commissioner, and a Presidential Address by the Archbishop of York.

Senior Church Appointments

Synod will consider the report of the review group established by the Archbishops’ Council in response to the Synod’s resolution in February 2005, to consider the law and practice regarding the appointment of suffragan bishops, deans, archdeacons and residentiary canons. A separate press release covers this.

Anglican Communion Covenant

All provinces of the Anglican Communion have been invited to express their views on a possible Anglican Covenant, aimed at encouraging common understanding between the provinces of the Communion. Synod will therefore be invited to affirm its willingness to engage with the process for producing a covenant. The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have invited the Archbishop of the West Indies (the Most Reverend Drexel Gomez), the Chair of the Covenant Design Group, to address the Synod before the debate is introduced by a member of the House of Bishops.

Marriage Law

The draft Church of England Marriage Measure returns to Synod for a further revision stage, following the diversity of views expressed in the debate on the earlier revision stage in February. The legislation will make it easier for people to get married in a particular church. The previous General Synod agreed in principle that the right to marry in a Church of England church should be extended to those having certain types of qualifying connection with the church in question. (At present, people have a right to be married only in the church of the parish where they live or where they are on the electoral roll). Synod will also have an opportunity of considering this legislation for final approval at the July Synod, depending on the outcome of the further revision stage.

Iran

This private member’s motion, from Canon Simon Bessant (Blackburn Diocese), reflects international concern that the United States administration might be considering military action against Iran and argues that unilateral, pre-emptive military action by the US or any other government against Iran cannot be justified.

Transforming Worship

This debate provides the opportunity of launching the Liturgical Commission’s initiative in liturgical formation and education, with the report Transforming Worship: Living the New Creation. Now that the Common Worship texts have been completed, attention is being focused on resourcing the Church to develop best practice in worship across all styles and traditions. A separate press release has been issued for this initiative.

Resources

In February, the Synod endorsed the Archbishops’ Council’s recommendations on the changes that it considered necessary to preserve a defined benefit pension scheme for the clergy. The Council has now consulted the 24,000 members of the clergy pension scheme, and submits its final proposals to the Synod for approval, including changes to the Scheme Rules.

Following a presentation on the Church Commissioners Annual Report by the First Church Estates Commissioner, Mr. Andreas Whittam Smith, there will be a debate on a motion from the Southwark Diocese which seeks a review by the Archbishops’ Council of the Commissioners’ status and accountability.

There will be a debate on the private member’s motion from Gavin Oldham (Oxford Diocese), which invites Synod to express the view that the list of restricted investments maintained on behalf of the National Church Institutions by the Ethical Investment Advisory Group should be published, and also made available under license.

There will also be the annual debate on the Archbishops’ Council’s budget.

Diversity issues

Synod will debate a report from the Committee for Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns, entitled Present and Participating, which calls for minority ethnic members of the Church of England not merely to be full participants in the life of the Church. It looks at the gifts, talents and contribution which minority ethnic people bring, and urges the Church to ensure that all its members participate fully in its mission.

There will also be a debate on a report from the Ministry Division’s Committee for Ministry of and among Deaf and Disabled People. This will call on Synod to affirm the value of the contribution made by clergy with disabilities to the life and witness of the Church and asks dioceses to take practical steps to support this commitment.

Ecumenical relations

There will be a debate on the second interim report from the Joint Implementation Commission (JIC) for the Anglican/Methodist Covenant. This focuses on three main areas of theology and practice in terms of Covenant relationship between the two churches: church, state and establishment; lay ministry; and the theology of the Eucharist. The final report of the JIC, in its five-year programme of work, will come to Synod in July 2008.

Other business

In addition to the Archbishop of York’s Presidential Address there will be presentations on the work of the Church Army by its new Chief Executive, Mark Russell, and on the pre-Lambeth Conference hospitality arrangements, by Stephen Lyon, Partnership Secretary at the Partnership for World Mission.

There will also be a debate of a report from the Standing Orders Committee. This deals with the amendments required to Standing Orders to facilitate electronic voting, as requested by the Synod in February.

Communicating Synod

Parishioners can keep in touch with General Synod while it meets. Background papers and other information will be posted on the Church of England website ahead of the General Synod sessions. Audio files of debates, along with updates on the days’ proceedings will be posted during the sessions.