Adoption of the Agenda
http://archives.anglican.ca/en/permalink/official8937
- Date
- 2004 May 28 - June 4
- Source
- General Synod. Minutes
- Record Type
- Act 7
- Mover
- Mr. Peter Irish
- Seconder
- Rev. Dr. Stephen Hopkins
- Text
- That the Draft Agenda #12 be adopted. CARRIED Act 7
Anglican Church to elect new Primate, discuss same-sex blessings
http://archives.anglican.ca/en/permalink/official8419
- Date
- 2004 April 6
- Source
- Anglican News Service
- Record Type
- Press release
- Text
- TORONTO, April 6, 2004 -- More than 300 members of the Anglican Church of Canada's General Synod (the church's chief governing body) will elect a new Primate, successor to Archbishop Michael Peers who retired in February [2004], when they convene in St. Catharines, Ont., in May.
- The election of a new Primate is but one of a number of crucial events and decisions that synod members will make.
- Among other important items, synod members will debate a motion on the controversial issue of same-sex unions. The motion which will come before them would leave it up to the Canadian church's 30 dioceses to decide if they wish to bless same-sex unions.
- The Anglican General Synod comprises more than 300 members representing lay people, priests and bishops, chosen by all dioceses in the country. The synod meets once every three years. The 2004 gathering is taking place at Brock University in St. Catharines in the diocese of Niagara between May 28 and June 4 [2004]. The official host for Synod is the local diocesan bishop, Bishop Ralph Spence.
- This year's meeting will also
- - Hear a major presentation on AIDS by Stephen Lewis, special envoy representing the United Nations General Secretary (June 2);
- - Discuss a strategic plan or `framework' to guide the work and mission of the church until 2010 (May 29, June 3);
- - Hear an address by Frank Griswold, Presiding Bishop of the U.S. Episcopal Church (June 4);
- - Witness a presentation by the Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples (June 1);
- - Bid a formal farewell to Archbishop Peers who led the church as Primate for 18 years. The farewell dinner will be held in Niagara Falls, Ont.
- - Formally install the new Primate who will be elected on May 31.
- Between Archbishop Peers' retirement, effective February 1 and the election of a successor at the end of May, the church is led by Archbishop David Crawley, Bishop of Kootenay and Archbishop of British Columbia and Yukon. Under church law, the acting primate is the senior Metropolitan or Archbishop by date of election.
- The gathering of the Anglican General Synod is the 37th in the history of the Canadian Church. The theme of this year's gathering is "See, I am making all things new" from Revelation 21:5.
- The theme was selected by the General Synod's Planning and Agenda Committee to highlight a time of change for the church, with the election of a new Primate and the adoption of a new "Framework" to guide the work and mission of the church".
- This General Synod is also the first since the signing of an agreement with the federal government capping the church's liability over residential schools litigation. When the last General Synod adjourned in Waterloo, Ont., in 2001, there was a strong possibility that that meeting might be the church's last.
- As well as the 300 members who constitute the Anglican Church's chief governing and legislative body, the gathering also includes more than 100 ecumenical and international partners as well as staff, media and observers.
- - 30 -
- This is the first official news release announcing the Anglican Church of Canada's 37th General Synod. Between now and the time General Synod officially convenes at the end of May, releases will be issued about once a week.
- For more information, you may also consult the following Web sites:
- - General information and background articles on General Synod 2004 is available at: http://gs2004.anglican.ca/
- - A draft agenda is available at: http://gs2004.anglican.ca/delegate/agenda/html
- - The Anglican Church's two principal publications, the "Anglican Journal" and "MinistryMatters" may be found at: http://anglicanjournal.com/ http://www.ministrymatters.ca
- - A special publication for General Synod members and staff -- the "General Synod Times" -- may be found at: http://gs2004.anglican.ca/news/times
- For more information, please contact: Vianney (Sam) Carriere, Director of Communications, 416-924-9199 ext. 306; scarriere@national.anglican.ca OR
- Josie De Lucia, Assistant to the Director, 416-924-9199 ext. 294; jdelucia@national.anglican.ca
Anglican General Synod will discuss blessing of same-sex unions
http://archives.anglican.ca/en/permalink/official8420
- Date
- 2004 April 14
- Source
- Anglican News Service
- Record Type
- Press release
- Text
- TORONTO, April 14, 2004 -- The Anglican Church of Canada will formally address the controversial issue of the blessing of same-sex unions when its principal governing body meets in St. Catharines, Ont., next month.
- In the past two years, same-sex blessings have become the most divisive issue facing the international Anglican Communion.
- One Canadian Anglican diocese -- New Westminster, in British Columbia -- voted to authorize such blessings in 2002. The Anglican General Synod will debate a motion on same-sex blessings several months before a commission struck by the Archbishop of Canterbury to study the effects of the controversy throughout the communion is expected to report.
- The Anglican General of Canada's General Synod is the church's chief governing and legislative body. It comprises more than 300 members representing lay people, deacons, priests and bishops, chosen by all dioceses in the country. The synod meets once every three years. The 2004 gathering is taking place at Brock University in St. Catharines in the diocese of Niagara between May 28 and June 4 [2004]. The official host for Synod is the local diocesan bishop, Bishop Ralph Spence.
- Synod members will address same-sex blessings on three different days -- May 29 and June 1 for information presentations and discussion, and June 2 for a vote.
- Members will consider a five-part motion that asks General Synod to "affirm the authority and jurisdiction of any diocesan synod, with the concurrence of its bishop, to authorize the blessing of committed same-sex unions".
- Eric Beresford, General Synod consultant for ethics and interfaith relations, who was involved in preparing the motion, explained that General Synod members are not asked to make a decision on the blessing of same-sex unions but rather to approve the concept that decisions on such blessings rests with each of the Canadian church's 30 dioceses.
- The motion before synod acknowledges that there are deep disagreements among church members over the issue, but asks Anglicans to commit themselves to "strive for that communions into which Christ continually calls us".
- The full text of the motion that will come before General Synod can be found at: http://generalsynod.anglican.ca/ssbmotion.html
- - 30 -
- This is one of a series of official news releases that will be made before the Anglican Church of Canada's 37th General Synod. Between now and the end of May, releases will be issued about once a week.
- For more information, you may also consult the following Web sites:
- - General information and background articles on General Synod 2004 is available at: http://gs2004.anglican.ca/
- - A draft agenda is available at: http://gs2004.anglican.ca/delegate/agenda.html
- - The Anglican Church's two principal publications, the "Anglican Journal" and "MinistryMatters" may be found at: http://anglicanjournal.com/ http://www.ministrymatters.ca
- - A special publication for General Synod members and staff -- the "General Synod Times" -- may be found at: http://gs2004.anglican.ca/news/times
- Because of limited space for media at General Synod, journalists who wish to cover the event are encouraged to register in advance. You may register at: http://gs2004.anglican.ca/media/registration
- or contact Josie DeLucia, assistant to the Director of Communications, at 416-924-9199, ext. 294, jdelucia@national.anglican.ca
- For more information, please contact: Vianney (Sam) Carriere, Director of Communications, 416-924-9199 ext. 306; scarriere@national.anglican.ca OR
- Eric Beresford, Consultant for Ethics and Interfaith Relations, General Synod, 416-924-9199 ext. 209; eberesford@national.anglican.ca
- Subjects
- Anglican Church of Canada. General Synod (37th : 2004 : St. Catharines, Ont.) - Agenda
- Same sex unions - Religious aspects - Anglican Church of Canada
Eco Justice Committee #005-05-03
http://archives.anglican.ca/en/permalink/official8318
- Date
- 2003 May 8-11
- Source
- Council of General Synod. Minutes
- Record Type
- Resolution 20-05-03
- Date
- 2003 May 8-11
- Record Type
- Resolution 20-05-03
- Mover
- Mr. Matthew Kett
- Seconder
- Mr. David Watt
- Prologue
- Mr. Matthew Kett presented the report of the Eco-Justice Committee. Speaking to the issue of HIV/AIDS:
- - PWRDF Executive Director, Mr. Andrew Ignatieff, told of the work of the Primate's World Relief and Development Fund in responding to the call from our partners in Africa. The Fund is also interested in working with aboriginal communities in Canada.
- - Dr. Eleanor Johnson, Director Partnerships, reported that the General Synod Planning Committee had been approached to invite Stephen Lewis to speak at General Synod. The Partners in Mission Committee would like to bring the issue back to Canada and have parishes look at their response to the disease.
- -The Rev. Canon Allen Box spoke of his work HOPE Africa, a social development wing of the Diocese of Capetown [i.e. Cape Town], and of the project he is involved in, which raises funds for a community in Africa where 40% of people are HIV sufferers.
- -Bishop Barry Hollowell stressed that Council not forget the situation in Canada where the disease is on the increase, particularly in the prison system and in aboriginal communities. Our awareness and our ability to inform and keep information in front of people are imperative.
- Text
- That the Council of General Synod commend the HIV/AIDS document originating in Southern Africa for widespread distribution and action (see Appendix 1 of the PIMC Report to Council of General Synod).
- It was noted that both EcoJustice and Partners-in-Mission recommended this motion.
- Friendly Amendment
- The mover and seconder agreed to add the words "and support the request of Partners in Mission for an educational session on HIV/AIDS at General Synod 2004" to the motion. The motion now reads
- That the Council of General Synod commend the HIV-AIDS document originating in Southern Africa for widespread distribution and action (see Appendix 1 of the PIMC Report to Council of General Synod) and support the request of Partners in Mission for an educational session on HIV AIDS at General synod 2004" to the motion. CARRIED #20-05-03
- Subjects
- AIDS (Disease) - Religious aspects - Anglican Church of Canada
- AIDS (Disease) - Africa
- AIDS (Disease) - Canada
- Anglican Church of Canada. General Synod (37th : 2004 : St. Catharines, Ont.) - Agenda
House of Bishops Report #021-06-02-11: Blessing of Same Sex Unions
http://archives.anglican.ca/en/permalink/official8271
- Date
- 2002 November 8-10
- Source
- Council of General Synod. Minutes
- Record Type
- Resolution 21-11-02
- Date
- 2002 November 8-10
- Record Type
- Resolution 21-11-02
- Mover
- Bishop Victoria Matthews
- Seconder
- Bishop Donald Harvey
- Prologue
- Moved by: Archbishop David Crawley
- Seconded by: Mr. James Sweeny
- That the Council of General Synod request the Faith Worship and Ministry Committee to consult with the General Synod Planning Committee to ensure that the matter of the blessings of same sex unions is brought before General Synod 2004 for discussion and if possible, resolution;
- That the committees consider ways in which the church may be prepared for the discussion;
- And that the committees make a progress report to the Council in May 2003.
- Amendment
- Text
- That the motion be amended by adding the words "and the House of Bishops" after "General Synod Planning Committee." CARRIED
- Friendly Amendment
- The mover and seconder agreed to deleting the words "for discussion and if possible, resolution".
- The amended motion now reads:
- That the Council of General Synod request the Faith Worship and Ministry Committee to consult with the General Synod Planning Committee and the House of Bishops to ensure that the matter of the blessings of same sex unions is brought before General Synod 2004.
- That the committees consider ways in which the church may be prepared for the discussion;
- And that the committees make a progress report to the Council in May 2003. CARRIED #21-11-02
- Notes
- Table groups were formed to give response to: "What are our expectations of what we are asking the Faith Worship and Ministry and General Synod Planning Committees to do?" Results of the table group discussions (Appendix D) will be forwarded to the committees.
- APPENDIX D
- DRAFT #2
- "Expectations" of the work of FWM
- Developed by table groups at the November 2002 meeting
- Council of General Synod
- A: Prior to General Synod 2004
- A-1: Preparatory materials
- 1. Clear, readable preparatory materials, including theological reflection and a history of the issue
- 2. Background is needed on sexuality -- how are we/do we become sexual beings ?
- 3. Process needs to include compendium of prior statements on this issue
- 4. To find materials, both pro and con, on the subject of same-sex blessings, and to render that material down to a coherent and manageable state and distribute to dioceses and/or parishes well before General Synod 2004
- 5. Prepare a broad-based study kit with background material and various views, to include the study materials from the New Westminster process and similar materials from other sources. New Westminster materials to include:
- - a. Dialogue to date
- - b. Process
- - c. Chronology
- - d. Include the liturgical text for blessing of same-sex unions
- 6. Need up-to-date material, e.g. government on same-sex marriage
- 7. Language must be translatable to make sure it is clear
- A-2: Consultations
- 1. Bring issue to parishes, deaneries, dioceses for open discussion
- 2. Elicit responses from aboriginal and multicultural perspectives. Indigenous people need to be included in this, through ACIP or some other means
- 3. Where are people prepared to be generous -- consultation with lobby groups, Fidelity, Integrity, ACiNW, Diocese of New Westminster
- 4. Consensus building in advance
- 5. Hear from both sides of debate from New Westminster
- A-3: Procedures
- 1. Testing a number of resolutions prior to General Synod 2004 and a pro-con list for each
- 2. Preparation for actions at synod to reconcile divisions
- 3. A motion from FWM or CoGS would take precedence over a motion from an individual member
- 4. Timing needs to be considered -- before or after the Primatial election
- A-4: Spiritual
- 1. Pray that we come to the debate without our minds made up
- 2. Whatever happens at General Synod 2004, and in the preparation, should allow us to continue to live with each other, whatever the outcome
- B: Process suggestions for presentation/debate at GS 2004
- B-1: Presentation ideas
- 1. Consider a point-counterpoint presentation at the beginning that reflects the "many sides" of the issue
- 2. Pro, Con, and Middle presentations with a rationale for each
- B-2: Discussion/debate ideas
- 1. Process that would let us speak out of concern for the church, not in win-lose
- 2. Open and frank discussion
- 3. Facilitators for discussion
- B-2 [i.e. B-3]: Procedural considerations
- 1. Procedure and debate that won't sideline other agenda items -- clear time limits
- 2. Process needs to work on the personal and corporate levels
- 3. NOT an up-down vote on blessings
- 4. Can there be helpful focus questions in home groups
- 5. Process that is not adversarial -- but respectful of diversity
- 6. Use of the committee of the whole
- 7. Consequences for other priorities already committed to
- C: Theological Issues
- C-1: Scripture
- 1. Make available a biblical hermeneutic
- 2. The different approaches to the interpretation and use of scripture is yet to be addressed, years after "Hearing Diverse Voices"
- 3. Have non-biased bible study to reflect on the issue
- C-2: Theological Reflection
- 1. Where is the good news in this ? Where is the manifestation of the Kingdom ? What is the Kingdom ?
- 2. Carried out in the language of faith in a well-grounded faith-based dialogue
- 3. Use language that makes sense to all three orders -- laity, clergy and bishops
- 4. Formulate questions that would help us determine whether the issue us faith and worship and/or order and pastoral care
- 5. Doctrinal considerations, questions of faith and order
- 6. Separate doctrinal from pastoral concerns
- 7. How to be loving people -- focus on sin clouds hope
- D: Church Order/Canonical Issues
- D-1: Local Option/Diocesan Jurisdiction
- 1. An outcome of local option
- 2. "Local option" is about the biggest issue General Synod can handle
- 3. What is the authority and jurisdiction of the diocese ?
- 4. Gather ideas and options for how we live together in the absence of a common mind
- 5. A way of living together with difference
- D-2: Relationship with Canadian Law
- 1. Process needs to address clearly the legal situation in Canada and the provinces; Clarifying the nature and status of the issue -- is this a church-splitting issue
- 2. Differentiating between church blessing of same-sex unions and civil recognition of same-sex marriage
- 3. Clarification -- if this is "marriage" what is the way forward ?
- D-2 [i.e. D-3]: Relationship with Canon Law/Church Structures
- 1. Address the issue of authority -- who gets to decide, reference to the work of the Jurisdiction Task Force
- 2. Clarity as to the role of the House of Bishops and its authority in relationship with General Synod
- 3. Formulate questions that would help us determine whether the issue is faith and worship and/or order and pastoral care
- 4. Information on alternative Episcopal oversight and conscience clause in the Canadian context
- Subjects
- Same sex unions - Religious aspects - Anglican Church of Canada
- Anglican Church of Canada. General Synod (37th : 2004 : St. Catharines, Ont.) - Agenda