MINUTES OF THE THIRTY-EIGHTH SESSION
OF THE GENERAL SYNOD
JUNE 19 – 25, 2007
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Orders of the Day
Mrs. Barbara Burrows presented the Orders of the Day.
Election of Deputy Prolocutor
Ballots were distributed and collected.
Resolutions
Declaration of Principles – Jurisdiction of the General Synod – National Indigenous Anglican Bishop
Moved by: Rev. Canon Murray Still
Seconded by: Bishop David Ashdown
That first reading be given to the Resolution that section 6 of the Declaration of Principles be amended by deleting the word “and” at the end of clause p) and adding a new clause r) as follows:
r) the appointment, election, confirmation, consecration and resignation of a National Indigenous Anglican Bishop.
Election of Deputy Prolocutor – Results of the First Ballot
| Ms. Heather Dixon | 45 |
| Canon Robert Falby | 112 |
| Mr. Matt Koovisk | 40 |
| Captain Rob Marsh | 51 |
| Mrs. Sheila Vanderputten | 26 |
| Total number of ballots cast | 274 |
The name of the nominee with the lowest number of votes was dropped, leaving four names on the 2nd ballot. Ballots were distributed and collected.
Declaration of Principles – Membership of National Indigenous Anglican Bishop in the General Synod
Moved by: Archdeacon Larry Beardy
Seconded by: Rev. Canon Murray Still
That first reading be given to the Resolution that section 3 b) of the Declaration of Principles be amended by adding a new clause vii) as follows:
vii) the National Indigenous Anglican Bishop.
CARRIED IN ALL ORDERS WITHOUT DEBATE
Act 31
Declaration of Principles – Jurisdiction of the General Synod – Bishop Ordinary to the Canadian Forces
Moved by: Archdeacon Karl McLean
Seconded by: Rev. Canon John Fletcher
That first reading be given to the Resolution that section 6 of the Declaration of Principles be amended by adding a new clause s) as follows:
s) the appointment, election, confirmation, consecration and resignation of a Bishop Ordinary having jurisdiction over the chaplains of the Anglican Church of Canada on duty with the Canadian Forces.
St. Michael Report
Moved by: Archdeacon Dennis Drainville
Seconded by: Mrs. Barbara Burrows
That this General Synod accept the conclusion of the Primate’s Theological Commission’s St. Michael Report that the blessing of same-sex unions is a matter of doctrine, but is not core doctrine in the sense of being credal.
Amendment
Moved by: Bishop James Cowan
Seconded by: Mr. George Power
That the following words be added after the word ‘credal’ –
… and should not be a communion-breaking issue.
CARRIED
The amended motion was then put and -
Recognition of Bishop Victoria Matthews
Archbishop John Clarke requested Synod members to recognize Bishop Matthews’ leadership on this report. He noted that she had travelled across Canada presenting the document to various Synods and gatherings and was a great gift to the Canadian Church. Members responded with a standing ovation.
Election of Deputy Prolocutor – Results of the Second Ballot
| Ms. Heather Dixon | 37 |
| Canon Robert Falby | 144 |
| Mr. Matt Koovisk | 35 |
| Captain Rob Marsh | 63 |
| Total number of ballots cast | 279 |
The Primate declared that Canon Robert Falby was elected Deputy Prolocutor.
Governance
Synod members viewed a video entitled – A Look at Governance.
Declaration of Principles and Constitution – Amending Procedures
Moved by: Canon Robert Falby
Seconded by: Bishop Susan Moxley
That first reading be given to the resolution that the Declaration of Principles be
amended by:1) deleting sections 3, 4 and 5 thereof ;
2) renumbering sections 6 to 11 to be sections 3 to 8; and
3) amending all cross-references to sections 6, 7 and 8 to refer to sections 3, 4 and 5 respectively.
Suspension of Debate
Debate was suspended by the Primate.
Noon Prayer
The session concluded with prayer, led by Bishop Patrick Mwachiko, Diocese of Masasi.
Diocesan Caucuses
Members of Synod met in diocesan groups in order to select nominees for the Council of General Synod for consideration by Provincial Caucuses in the afternoon.
Information Dialogues
Members attended their choice of several Information Dialogues, designed to provide a brief overview of the work of Committees and Council and allow time for questions and answers.
Anti-Racism Working Group
- An opportunity to experience some of the exercises used in the training module.
Communications and Information Resources
- A review of work done in the past triennium and a look at priorities for the next three years.
Council of the North
- An opportunity to hear about this vital aspect of the mission of the Anglican Church of Canada.
Financial Management and Development
- An informed discussion relating to the financial affairs of the Church – past, present and future..
Faith, Worship and Ministry
- Theological Education & Formation for Ordained Ministry
Partners in Mission / Ecojustice Committee
- The merger of these two committees.
Pension Committee
- A brief presentation on the work of the Pension Committee.
Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund
- A brief presentation on the work of PWRDF.
No Debate List
The following resolutions were added to this list:
| C001 | Targets for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions |
| C004 | Public Meetings |
| C005 | Budget for Youth Initiatives |
| C006 | Anti-Racism Education |
| C007 | Anti-Racism Education |
Resolutions
Amendments to Resolution A187 were noted (i.e. A187A and A187B).
Motion to Revise Agenda
Moved by: Archdeacon Vicars Hodge
Seconded by: Ms. Shara Golden
That the agenda be revised to move resolution C003 (re the blessing of same sex unions) up on the agenda so that it is debated immediately following the Committee of the Whole this afternoon.
The resolution was referred to the Assessors for review. The Assessors agreed that the resolution could be placed before Synod and advised that a two-thirds majority was required.
The motion was then put and –
Committee of the Whole
Moved by: Dean Peter Elliott
Seconded by: Bishop Philip Poole
That this General Synod move into a Committee of the Whole to discuss the Blessing of Same-Sex Unions.
The session opened with Prayer and the Primate invited Archdeacon Karl McLean and Ms. Dorothy Davies-Flindall to lead the discussion on the three resolutions adopted by the Council of the General Synod – A185, A186 and A187. (See Appendices I and J)
The Committee of the Whole discussed the Blessing of Same-Sex Unions.
Moved by: Dean Peter Elliott
Seconded by: Chancellor Ronald Stevenson
That this General Synod rise from the Committee of the Whole.
Provincial Caucuses
Members of Synod met in provincial groups in order to nominate members to the Council of the General Synod for the 2007-2010 triennium.
Resolutions
Suspension of Rule of Order 23(a) re Resolution A185
Moved by: Chancellor Ronald Stevenson
Seconded by: Archbishop Caleb Lawrence
That Rule of Order 23(a) be suspended in relation to Resolution A185.
Point of Order
The Rev. Canon James Robinson raised a point of order. He submitted that this motion was out of order because the proposed action was required to be taken by enactment of a Canon. The Assessors advised that the point raised was not a point of order, although it may be a question as to the validity of the enactment, if passed. A two-thirds majority was required. The Primate ruled that the point raised was not a point of order.
The resolution was then put and -
Voting Requirement for Resolutions A186 and A187
Regarding Revised Resolution A185
Moved by: Chancellor Ronald Stevenson
Seconded by: Archbishop Caleb Lawrence
- That, with respect to resolutions A186 and A187, and pursuant to Rule 23, the requirement of Rules of Order 18(b), 19 and 20(c) that a majority of votes be required for passing a motion, and Rule of Order 20(d) concerning a tied vote in a vote by dioceses, be suspended, and
- That resolutions A186 and A187 be deemed to have been carried only if they receive the affirmative votes of sixty percent of the members of each Order present and voting and, if a vote by dioceses is requested, only if they receive the affirmative votes of sixty percent of the dioceses whose votes are counted.
Amendment
Moved by: Archdeacon Vicars Hodge
Seconded by: Ms. Sheila Vanderputten
That the words “sixty percent” be deleted in both places where they appear and replaced with the words “two thirds” and then add after the word “voting”, the words “at two successive General Synods”.
DEFEATED
Point of Privilege
Ms. Janet Neubauer requested permission for Synod members to pray before the vote on the following resolution and the Primate granted this request.
Resolution A185 (Revised) was then put and –
Blessing of Same Sex Unions – Core Doctrine of the ACC
Regarding Suspension of Rule of Order 18(e)
Moved by: Mr. Matthew Terlinski
Seconded by: Ms. Jennifer Andreas
That Rule of Order 18 e) be suspended for the purpose of Resolution A186 and that the votes on Resolution A186 be done by secret ballot.
Blessing of Same Sex Unions – Core Doctrine of the ACC
Moved by: Ms. Dorothy Davies-Flindall
Seconded by: Archdeacon Dennis Drainville
That this General Synod resolves that the blessing of same-sex unions is consistent with the core doctrine of The Anglican Church of Canada.
Friendly Amendment
A suggestion from the Rev. Jean Brenton-Hickman to change the word ‘consistent’ to “not in conflict” was accepted by the mover and seconder. The resolution now reads:
That this General Synod resolves that the blessing of same-sex unions is not in conflict with the core doctrine of The Anglican Church of Canada.
Mr. David Embury requested that the Primate announce the vote totals for this amended resolution and this was agreed.
Motion to Refer
Moved by: Bishop Ronald Ferris
Seconded by: Ms. Shara Golden
That this resolution be referred to the Primate for forwarding to the Primate’s Theological Commission.
DEFEATED
Motion to Put the Question
Moved by: Rev. Antonio Osorio
Seconded by: Mr. Dion Lewis
That the question be put.
DEFEATED
Discussion on the amended resolution resumed.
Suspension of Debate
At 8.45 p.m. the Primate suspended debate on resolution A186. Members already in line at the microphones were requested to provide their names to the Synod secretaries.
Motion to Revise Agenda
Moved by: Archdeacon Marion Vincett
Seconded by: Ms. Carol Summers
That the agenda be revised to permit Synod members to continue debating this resolution.
DEFEATED
Nova Scotia and PEI Video
Bishop Fred Hiltz (Primate-Elect) and all Synod members from Nova Scotia and PEI welcomed everyone to Nova Scotia for the General Synod in 2010.
Synod members viewed a video presentation – A Journey Just Begun 1710–2010 – Come Journey with Us – and sang Farewell to Nova Scotia.
Night Prayer
The evening concluded with Jazz Vespers.