SYNOD BUSINESS

In addition to receiving reports and financial statements, the Synod members participated in open discussions concerning increasing lay involvement in diocesan synods within the province and, in a break-out session, concerning implementation of the Church Policy Paper. Synod also elected the members to the Standing Committee and various standing commissions for the ensuing three-year period.

The Synod considered two areas of concern, adopting four motions. Motion 1 amended the liturgical calendar, adding a number of commemorations in line with those observed elsewhere in the Anglican Communion.

Three motions were adopted to address concerns about the procedures for election of bishops. Motion 2 created a new electoral college for episcopal elections to include membership from the wider province; previously, bishops were elected by the diocesan Synod. The new Electoral College will include all the clergy in the province, including the bishops, who will be considered members of the House of Clergy for the purposes of the Electoral College. In addition, the lay membership of the Electoral College will consist of the lay members of the diocesan synod, as well as the lay members of the General Synod from the other dioceses and missionary areas. The new Electoral College underlines that episcopal elections are fundamentally provincial matters, and ensures provincial participation in the process.

Motion 3 makes provision for an episcopal election to be adjourned in the event that the Houses of Clergy and Laity of the Electoral College have different sets of candidates with no common candidate. An adjourned election process would be recommenced after three months. Finally, Motion 4 requires a diocese to elect a bishop within two years of a vacancy occurring, failing which the House of Bishops has authority to appoint a new bishop.

Synod concluded with a presentation by the Primate, who outlined a number of initiatives being undertaken in the province and then pronounced his blessing.