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acknowledgements accolades |
Wednesday, July 11, 2001
An unofficial digest of the proceedings of
the 36th General Synod of
the Anglican Church of Canada
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1. Motions
The orders of the day were carried.2. Follow up to Resolution A130
Record of voting by dioceses on Resolution A130, to adopt A Call to Human Dignity: a Statement of Principles on Dignity Inclusion and Fair Treatment.For:
Algoma
British Columbia
Caledonia
Calgary
Cariboo
Central Newfoundland
Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador
Edmonton
Fredericton
Huron
Keewatin
Kootenay
Montreal
Moosonee
New Westminster
Niagara
Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island
Ontario
Ottawa
Qu'Appelle
Quebec
Rupert's Land
Toronto
Western Newfoundlandx
Against:
Arctic
Athabasca
Brandon
Saskatchewan
Yukon
Tied: Saskatoon
The Right Rev. Barry Hollowell, Bishop of Calgary, read a letter of thanks from Integrity Canada in response to the apology issued at General Synod by the Right Rev. Michael Ingham, Bishop of New Westminster, to gays and lesbians."We are thankful that our Church is beginning to recognize the full humanity of gay and lesbian people," the letter read in part. "We rejoice that, in some places, our Church recognizes that God's grace is operative in our committed relationships and that the Spirit has equipped us to share in the ministry of Jesus Christ to the world."
3. Resolutions
The following resolutions were passed without debate.C001(a) revised National Missile Defence
To oppose the creation of the U.S. National Missile Defence system. Carried.
C003 depleted Uranium
To work for an international ban on the military use of depleted uranium. Carried. Members of the Military Ordinariate abstained.
C005 First Nations and Environment
To thank First Nations people for their work in protecting the environment.
C006 Prayer Vigil at General Synod
To move the prayer vigil at the next General Synod closer to the Plenary Session. Carried.
C007 25th Anniversary of the Ordination of Women to the Priesthood
To recognize, celebrate and affirm the role of women in the Anglican Church of Canada. Carried. The Primate noted that the anniversary date of the first ordinations is Nov. 30.
C008 Re: Canon XXI
To bring the Book of Alternative Services into conformity with the Marriage Canon as to the period of notice required prior to a marriage, which is 60 days. Carried.
C009 Re: Staff of General Synod
To thank the members of the staff for their work and to request provision of material and pastoral support in the event of bankruptcy of the National Church. Carried. Standing ovation.
C010 Gambling
To encourage the Anglican Council of Indigenous People and the Eco-Justice Committee in developing a policy on gambling to be presented to CoGS in November. Carried.
C013 CoGS Representation
To direct the Council of General Synod and request provinces and dioceses to work toward a more balanced representation of the church's diversity in official bodies. Carried.
C014 Aboriginal History in Schools
To call on provincial school systems to revise history curricula to reflect the history of Indigenous people. Carried.
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4. Conversations
Members of general Synod commented on the National Post editorial of Wednesday, July 11 that criticized the Anglican Church of Canada.5. Motion of thanks
Members of General Synod carried with dancing the motion of thanks for the many who helped make the 2001 meeting not just a success but also a time of healing, reconciliation and the achievement of new levels of unity with Indigenous people, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada, and gays and lesbians.As part of the motion of thanks, the Primate received a standing ovation.
General Synod gave gifts to the following people who are leaving their positions: the Rev. Gordon Light, Principal Secretary to the Primate, Ms. Diane Brookes, Deputy Prolocutor and the Rev. Rodney Andrews, Prolocutor.
5. Primate's Closing Remarks
Fighting back tears, Archbishop Michael Peers admitted to General Synod in his closing remarks that "from time to time in these days, I get depressed." He said that "on my watch, some very frightening things are happening and impending. The world sees that as a judgment on me and others, that I'm getting what I deserve. That's not a treat."While the National Church appeared to be at an "enormously perilous" juncture, the Primate said that what he had heard from members at this Synod had shown him that, "the church, embodied in you, has a will [to continue]. If there's that, there's nothing that can't be done."
The text of the Primate's reflections will be made available on the General Synod Web site.