Conscience Clause

Prologue: Dean Fowler presented the report of the Task Force on the Conscience Clause.; After discussion the Task Force agreed that what was required at the present moment was not legislation, but a pastoral statement which would recognize that while the Church had expressed its will in 1975 with regard to the ordination of women it was nonetheless still necessary to retain the Conscience Clause with some indications of its proper use.; The Conscience Clause of 1975 reads as follows:; "Be it resolved; That no bishop, priest, deacon or lay person, including postulants for ordination of The Anglican Church of Canada should be penalized in any manner, or suffer any canonical disabilities, nor be forced into positions which violate or coerce his or her conscience as a result of General Synod's action in affirming the principle of the ordination of women to the priesthood; and request those who have authority in this matter to act upon the principle set out above."

Text of motion: That this National Executive Council forward to the General Synod 1983 for its approval the pastoral interpretation of the continuing use of the Conscience Clause by those who remain unable to accept the ordination of women to the priesthood:; "We recognize and affirm the continuing validity of the Conscience Clause for those who belonged to The Anglican Church of Canada at the time it was passed.; While continuing to recognize the rights of individual consciences, we believe that those who now come to membership or to any office or ministry in our Church must recognize and accept that the ministry of women priests must also be protected conscientiously as the expressed will of our Church.; Christian charity cannot be legislated, but needs to be implemented more effectively in the future than in the past in order to realize the community which belongs in the Body of Christ. CARRIED

Subjects: Conscience clause (1975) - Anglican Church of Canada; Anglican Church of Canada. General Synod. Task Force on the Conscience Clause; Ordination of women - Anglican Church of Canada; Women clergy - Anglican Church of Canada; Anglican Church of Canada - Parties and movements