INTRODUCTION
The General Synod met at St Paul's and St George's Church in Edinburgh from 8 to 10 June. In his charge to Synod the Primus, the Most Revd David Chillingworth, called the Church to unity as it debated its understanding of marriage. He suggested that God privileged agreement: ‘if two or three agree on earth about anything in my name, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven’. The converse was that the inability to agree closed off blessing and the challenge was whether the Church's oneness in Christ could sustain unity in the face of the diversity of views.
ALTERATION TO CANON ON MARRIAGE
Changes to the Church's Code of Canons require a two-year process. That process is initiated by a first reading at General Synod, followed by consideration of the proposals by diocesan synods and then a second reading by the General Synod the following year. At first reading stage, the change requires a simple majority in the separate houses of bishops, clergy and laity. At second reading stage, a two-thirds majority in each house is needed.
General Synod 2017 saw the completion of the process to alter the Church's Canon on marriage (Canon 31). In 2015, following consideration of a paper from the Doctrine Committee, the General Synod had discussed a number of possible options for canonical change and had instructed the Faith and Order Board to bring forward a first reading of a revised Canon 31 in 2016, based on one of those options. In 2016, the requisite majorities were achieved and, while diocesan synods were not in a position to exercise a veto on the proposals, six out of the seven dioceses approved the change. At General Synod 2017, the revised Canon received its second and final reading. The majorities achieved in the Houses of Bishops and Laity were 80 per cent or more but in the House of Clergy the Canon was only just passed, with a majority of 67.7 per cent.
The revision deleted from the Canon the doctrinal definition of marriage (which had hitherto been expressed as a lifelong union between one man and one woman). The revised Canon states that ‘there are differing understandings of the nature of marriage’ in the Scottish Episcopal Church, recognising the de facto position that there are those who hold to a traditional understanding of marriage and those whose understanding includes marriage between same-sex couples. One consequence of the revised Canon is to allow those clergy who wish to do so to solemnise marriages between people of the same sex; but the new Canon also incorporates a provision that no cleric will be required to solemnise a marriage against conscience.
The Scottish legislation regarding marriage envisages two possible ways for denominations to decide how their clergy might be authorised to solemnise weddings between same-sex couples. The legislation allows for the possibility of ‘blanket’ authorisation of clergy of prescribed denominations: in other words, authorising all clergy of such a denomination to solemnise such weddings. Alternatively, denominations can opt in to the legislation by selecting the ‘nomination’ route, which allows a denomination to nominate named clergy to the Registrar General for Scotland, who then registers such clergy as religious celebrants.
The proposals before the General Synod were to opt for the second of those alternatives; and a resolution was passed under the new Canon confirming that it is the diocesan bishop who acts as the person to nominate clergy to the Registrar General. Consequently, only those clergy who have been nominated to, and accepted by, the Registrar General will be authorised to solemnise marriages between same-sex couples. It also means that those clergy who have conscientious objections need not seek to be nominated and will have no legal authority to solemnise such marriages.
The Synod also adopted a new canonical table of kindred and affinity setting out the categories of those whom the Church may not marry. The table reflects the Scottish marriage legislation but it was recognised that the Church is free to extend the list in future if it so wishes.
Throughout the Synod's debates on marriage in recent years, and particularly in the light of the removal of the doctrinal statement from Canon 31 referred to above, the importance of the Church's liturgies as expressing the Church's theology – lex orandi, lex credendi – has been repeatedly emphasised. It was therefore considered important to strengthen the process for changing authorised liturgies. The Synod approved a second reading of Canon 22 (on liturgical change), which now means that changes to the Church's authorised liturgies will require a two-year process for approval, effectively mirroring the existing process for canonical change.
OTHER CANONICAL CHANGE: ALTERNATE LAY REPRESENTATIVES
The Synod gave a second reading to a change to Canon 63. That Canon regulates the appointments of a lay representative in each congregation. The lay representative serves on the diocesan synod and also votes in episcopal elections where there is a vacancy in the see. The alternate lay representative acts when the lay representative is indisposed. The change approved to Canon 63 in 2017 makes the alternate lay representative an ex officio member of the congregational vestry (the lay representative is already a member ex officio).
CLIMATE CHANGE AND FOSSIL FUELS
The Church in Society and Investment Committees presented a report on climate change action and fossil fuel investments. Consideration had been given to complete divestment but for a small investor such as the Scottish Episcopal Church, divestment would have limited impact on climate change. Also, the majority of the General Synod's investments were held in pooled funds and that gave rise to additional practical concerns. Engagement with companies in which the Church had investments and the use of shareholder voting power was seen as a more effective avenue to pursue, including joint engagement with other bodies such as the Church Investors Group.
Synod agreed a composite motion calling on church members, congregations and dioceses to develop approaches consistent with a low-carbon economy; encouraging the Church in Society and Investment Committees to work with the Church Investors Group; restricting direct investments in companies deriving more than 10 per cent of their revenues from the extraction of thermal coal or tar sands; and seeking an annual meeting with the Church's fund managers to discuss limits on investments in companies with a poor environmental profile. The Synod also encouraged the Church's Pension Fund Trustees to consider adopting similar approaches.
MISSION
The Mission Board presented the preliminary results of the recent Scottish Churches Census. While the statistics showed general decline in church attendance in Scotland, there was nevertheless much going on in local churches and a number of ‘good news’ stories were shared. Synod members reflected in small groups on the presentation and considered how the provincial Mission Board could assist the Church in its mission.
The Church and Society Committee reported on other current work, including issues of organ donation (and the possibility of an ‘opt-out’ system being implemented in Scotland) and of new biotechnologies, such as mitochondrial replacement therapy and genome editing.
COLLEGE OF BISHOPS
In a short session from the College of Bishops, tributes were paid to the Most Revd David Chillingworth, Primus and Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane, and to the Rt Revd Dr Nigel Peyton, Bishop of Brechin, both of whom were to retire at the end of July 2017.
ECUMENICAL MATTERS
The Synod approved a proposal relating to the Episcopal, Methodist, United Reformed (EMU) Partnership. The paper, already approved by the Methodist and United Reformed Churches in Scotland, called for realistic proposals for identifiable progress in areas such as recognition of ministries, training and mission initiatives and also for consultation with Action of Churches Together in Scotland regarding the EMU Partnership. Synod also agreed that the Church should reapply for membership of the Conference of European Churches (membership having been discontinued in 2009).
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
The Synod debated a proposal from the Personnel Committee to allow the provincial Administration Board, on the recommendation of the Committee, to adopt policies and procedures regarding clergy personnel matters not otherwise covered by the Code of Canons. The proposal was accepted, but subject to an amendment that any such measures would require ratification of the Synod before implementation.
OTHER MATTERS
In his report, the convener of the provincial Standing Committee highlighted three emerging priorities: continuing focus on mission, including support of the development of new patterns of ministry; planning for an imminent retirement bulge and provision of appropriate curacies and first incumbencies for a growing number of ordinands; and a thorough examination of the ‘machinery of governance’ to identify what was needed and affordable in contemporary circumstances.
The Scottish Episcopal Institute Council announced the creation of a new post of Director of Mixed Mode Training to oversee a new training pathway for ordinands. This would enable a coupling of training through the Institute with local experience in a congregational placement.
The Synod welcomed a number of younger church members who spoke of the work of the Youth Committee. It also received a report from the Church's representative at the UN Commission on the 2017 session on the Status of Women.
