Fixed Primatial See
https://archives.anglican.ca/link/official3830
- Date
- 1955 August/September
- Source
- General Synod. Minutes
- Type
- Resolution
- Mover
- Archbishop of Algoma
- Seconder
- Bishop of Toronto
- Prologue
- A memorandum was presented in behalf of the House of Bishops as follows:
- "The General Synod realizes that the time has come in the development of the Anglican Church of Canada to resolve the question of the Primatial See and to bring to fruition that which was begun by the passing of Canon III. The past twenty years have proved that the work of a Primate is of such imporatance and magnitude that it ought not to be added to that already undertaken by the Bishop of a large Diocese. At the same time, the discussions during this period have deepened the conviction that we desire in a Primate one who is, in a real sense, able to fulfill pastoral duties as the Father-in-God of His people. It is our considered opinion that the Primate should be a Diocesan and a Metropolitan, set over an ecclesiastical province as a part of the whole Church, in accordance with the customs and traditions general in the Anglican Communion throughout the world.
- In order to achieve for the Primate of Canada this desired status and at the same time recognizing how impossible are the burdens carried by recent holders of that office in their capacity as bishops of existing dioceses, we recommend:
- 'That a fixed Primatial See be established in the vicinity of the Nation's Capital, Ottawa; that a new Diocese be established and that a new ecclesiastical province be erected in the developing Canadian Northland which might comprise, in addition to the new Diocese, the present Dioceses of The Arctic, Moosonee, Keewatin and Yukon, over which the Primate would preside as Metropolitan.'"
- Text of motion
- 1. That this plan be approved and that its recommendations be referred to a special Commission on the Primacy to consult with the Diocesan and Provincial authorities concerned, with a view to securing their consent and to investigate any other steps necessary to implement the Plan and report to the Executive Council for their information, and to the next meeting of General Synod for action.
- 2. That the General Synod agrees to make available the necessary funds to implement this Plan, including support of the new Diocese, funds for the Primate's Stipend, Residence, Travelling, and funds for administration, etc.
- 3. That the Primate, the Prolocutor, and the Deputy Prolocutor, be asked to appoint this special joint Commission on the Primacy.
- 4. That the Synod reaffirms its desire, expressed by the passing of Section 11A, of Part I of Canon III, to provide for the present Primate any assistance, episcopal or otherwise, which, in his opinion, may be necessary while he is the Archbishop of Rupert's Land.
- It was moved in amendment by the Very Revv. A.T.B. Browne, seconded by the Ven. R.D. Mess, "That the word 'approved' in the first part of the resolution of the recommendations from the House of Bishops, be changed to 'received'.
- An amendment to the amendment was proposed by Judge J.E. Hudson, but was not successful.
- The amendment was then put to the Lower House, and lost.
- The main motion was CARRIED in both Houses.
- Subjects
- Anglican Church of Canada. General Synod. Constitution. Canon III
- Anglican Church of Canada. Primate