Letter to the editor: Our rules exist for a reason

Notes: "The Council of General Synod has been tasked with reviewing the governance system of our church. It appears to me that the people calling for the review and revision are those who feel they 'lost' the motion to amend the marriage canon". "I seem to hear, 'If we don't get the result we want, let's change the system until we do', which is hardly an appropriate proposition in a rational organization such as ours. If the idea to be promoted is that a simple majority govern, then the bishops would have no say, the clergy only a bit more and the laity possibly all. We are an episcopal church, so such a change would give a result which would seem counter to our basic identity. Of course, there is the possibility of a simple majority in each order, but simple majorities on major issues can cause havoc. Significant changes need a high standard. When fundamental changes are proposed, a two-thirds majority, or thereabouts, is both the practical and the commonly used criterion. Call that the tyranny of the majority, if you will, but alternative solutions always arise as in the 'local option' -- our middle way".

Subjects: Anglican Church of Canada. General Synod (42nd : 2019 : Vancouver, B.C.) - Resolutions; Anglican Church of Canada. General Synod. Constitution. Canon XXI; Anglican Church of Canada - Government; Anglican Church of Canada. General Synod - Rules and practice; Decision making - Religious aspects - Anglican Church of Canada