Introduction
The General Synod of the Scottish Episcopal Church (SEC) met from 13 to 15 June 2024. The meeting was held in fully ‘in person’ with no option for online participation. It was the first time that the Synod had met in that manner since 2019. In his charge to Synod, the Most Rev’d Mark Strange, Bishop of Moray, Ross and Caithness and Primus, challenged the Synod to be bold and speak out as heralds of peace. He urged the Church to action, asserting that if it did not speak out when it was aware of turmoil and suffering as a result of action contrary to the teaching, life and example of Christ, then it was in danger of ignoring its call. Appalling events had unfolded in the land of the Holy One and political leaders had tiptoed around the issue for fear of upsetting others. People of faith needed to call out that which was wrong and wicked. As peacemakers, Christians needed to talk of peace, not ignore conflict.
Nuclear weapons
The theme of the Primus’ charge was taken up in a debate about nuclear weapons, the Synod not having previously agreed a stance on that issue. After a thoughtful debate, the Synod agreed that ‘the use of nuclear weapons can never be theologically justified’, and committed the Church to a policy of advocating for arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. A number of members raised the need for an effective nuclear deterrent, particularly in the current geopolitical climate, but it was noted that the motion did not call for unilateral disarmament.
Israel-Gaza
A private Member’s motion was brought under Rule 10 of the Synod’s rules of order on the conflict in Israel-Gaza. A number of amendments were considered and the final version of the motion, as passed, welcomed a recent statement by the College of Bishops calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, called on the bishops to continue to speak boldly in the name of the Church on matters of justice and human rights, expressed solidarity with the Diocese of Jerusalem and the Middle East and other Christian communities in Israel-Palestine, and expressed profound grief and horror at the violence and suffering experienced by people in Israel-Palestine over many years.
Alterations to Canons
A first reading at General Synod commences the process for canonical change. After first reading, the proposed change is sent to Diocesan Synods for consideration, returning the following year to General Synod for second, and final, reading. There were no canons for first reading in 2024 but various second readings were approved.
Ecumenical relations
A second reading was given to Canon 15 (Of the Admission of Clergy of Other Churches, Provinces and Other Dioceses to Officiate), which gives expression to the ecumenical relations of the SEC. Until now, the focus of the Canon had been the formal recognition of those Churches with which the SEC is in full Communion. It also addressed the question of eucharistic hospitality, but only in the context of specific local ecumenical partnerships. The Canon had not kept pace with various ecumenical developments including agreements entered into by the SEC, which are not agreements of full Communion, but which permit limited exchange, such as the Reuilly Agreement, the ‘EMU’ partnership between the Episcopal, Methodist and United Reformed Churches in Scotland, and the St Andrew Declaration with the Church of Scotland.
The new Canon permits clergy of such other churches to preside at a service of Holy Communion in an SEC church, on the understanding that rite used in such circumstances is the rite of the church to which such other clergy belong – in other words, it is not viewed as an SEC Eucharist. The changes to the Canon were accepted but not without concerns being expressed on the floor of Synod about the nature of eucharistic hospitality with Churches outside the Anglican and Porvoo Communions. Some consequential changes to Canon 16 (Of Others Who May be Permitted to Officiate in Churches) also received a first reading.
Climate change and church buildings
A small but significant change to Canon 35 (Of the Structure, Furniture and Monuments of Churches, and the Due Care thereof) also received a second reading. That Canon provides a process for approving alterations to church buildings. The change to the Canon requires any such alterations to take account of net zero guidance issued by the provincial Buildings Committee.
Safeguarding
A new Canon 65 (Of Safeguarding in the Church) received a second reading. In 2020, the General Synod had approved a new safeguarding policy based on the Anglican Communion Safe Church Charter. The underlying purpose of the new Canon 65 is to set out the respective powers and duties in relation to safeguarding at different levels in the Church, in the light of the new policy document.
Alterations to liturgies
Alterations to authorised liturgies are subject to the same two-reading process as alterations to Canons.
The Synod gave a second reading to liturgies for Lent, Holy Week and Easter for use with The Scottish Liturgy 1982 and A Service of the Word 2015. The Lent, Holy Week and Easter liturgies had been authorised for experimental use in 2017. A number of amendments were proposed at second reading stage to alter parts of the liturgies to make them more inclusive. It was noted that, for example, Ash Wednesday services often attracted those who had not been baptised but were perhaps on a journey towards faith and that aspects of the liturgies assumed that those participating in services had been baptised. Whilst some sympathy was expressed with that view, most of the amendments were defeated, on the ground that they had not had the benefit of lengthier discussion nor been subject to prior experimental use.
The Synod gave a first reading to a proposal that former versions of The Scottish Liturgy 1982 should be withdrawn as ‘authorised liturgies’ of the SEC. That liturgy has undergone a number of iterations since its original adoption in 1982. If the proposal receives second reading, the only authorised version will be that adopted in 2022.
Climate change
The Provincial Environment Group gave a progress report on the implementation of the Church’s Net Zero Action Plan which had been adopted at General Synod 2023 and which sets out a pathway to implement a prior commitment of the Synod to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030. It was reported that a Provincial staff team had been recruited to support the work and the Synod also received a presentation on the steps which one particular congregation had taken, as an illustration of how energy consumption could be reduced, resulting in not insignificant financial savings.
College of Bishops
Members of the College of Bishops gave a presentation on the collection of annual statistics within the SEC. Synod members then engaged in table group discussions about the content of the annual statistical form with a view to informing further discussion by the bishops who, as the Episcopal Synod, are responsible for approving the form. In the light of the discussion at Synod, the Episcopal Synod has subsequently decided to discontinue the collection of gender-differentiated membership statistics and it is likely that a more far-reaching revision of the form will follow in due course.
Youth input
At previous meetings of General Synod, input from young people has taken place at the end of the Synod meeting. In a change of practice in 2024, representatives of the Provincial Youth Committee spoke early on in the meeting to give their perspective on matters due to be discussed on the Synod agenda. Synod members found their input both inspiring and challenging.
Other matters
The Synod gave its backing to proposals regarding the Scottish Christian Forum and formally recognised that body, rather than Action of Churches Together in Scotland, as the national ecumenical body in Scotland.
The Synod also held a general debate on electronic voting and whether, for the future, there should be greater transparency in how Synod members vote, perhaps by the publication of the voting records. No decision was taken, and the provincial Standing Committee will give further consideration to the matter and was asked to bring forward proposals to Synod 2025.
The Synod approved the annual report and accounts for the General Synod for the year ended 31 December 2023 and set provincial quota for 2025 at £750,000.
