Memorial from the House of Bishops to General Synod

Prologue: Memorial from the House of Bishops to General Synod; Moved by: Bishop R.K. Maguire; Seconded by: Bishop B. Valentine; THAT Rule of Order 18 be suspended to allow discussion of the Memorial from the House of Bishops on the frequency of Synods. CARRIED

Text of motion: THAT this General Synod, having in mind the recent experience of biennial meetings, and particularly the expressed desire of committees to deal more adequately with tasks assigned to them,; - 1. requests the National Executive Council to consider the effects of increasing the period between Synods, up to a maximum of four years, and,; - 2. directs the appropriate committee to prepare necessary Canonical amendments for presentation to the next General Synod. Such amendments to include provisions enabling legislation to become effective by being passed at one General Synod.; CARRIED IN BOTH ORDERS Act 73

Notes: Opinion of the Assessors; The Synod agreed, by the necessary majorities, to suspend the Rule of Order 18, in order to permit introduction of a motion to amend Section 2(1) of the Constitution, which in its present form requires the General Synod to meet in every second year.; However, the motions actually introduced and passed, direct the National Executive Council to consider the effects of increasing the period between Synods, and direct that appropriate legislation be prepared for introduction at the next Synod. No motion to amend the Constitution was included.; The Assessors are informed that it is now desired to introduce at this session a motion to amend Section 2(1) by postponing the date of the next session of General Synod.; The Assessors are of the opinion that such a step calls for drawing into discussion at the same session a question once determined at this session, namely that the National Executive Council shall consider the problem and bring forward appropriate legislation at the next Synod. Such action, By Rule of Order 27, requires consent of two-thirds of the members present.; If that consent were given, it would not be necessary to pass a further resolution suspending Rule 18 and the constitutional amendment could be introduced and, if it were passed by simple majorities of the Orders of Bishops and Delegates, could take effect at once.; This opinion is concurred in by all the Assessors.; No further action was taken by Synod in this regard.

Subjects: Anglican Church of Canada. General Synod - Frequency of meetings; Anglican Church of Canada. General Synod - Rules and practice