Letter to General Synod Delegates from the Faith, Worship & Ministry Department
General Synod 2007 will be discussing important issues for the Church including:
- The deferred resolution on the blessing of same-sex unions. Since the last General Synod there has been much discussion around that resolution including the report of the Primate’s Theological Commission (St. Michael Report). At GS2007 you will be part of further discussions and decisions on this matter and preparation is important.
Deferred Motion:
General Synod 2004 deferred consideration of this motion to the 2007 Synod:
“That this General Synod affirm the authority and jurisdiction of any diocesan synod, with the concurrence of its bishop, to authorize the blessing of committed same sex unions.”
Preparation: Please read the St. Michael Report
available at: http://www.anglican.ca/primate/ptc/StMichaelReport.pdf
Additional resources and essays are available on the Anglican Church of Canada website at: http://www.anglican.ca/faith/ethics/index.htm.
- The Windsor Report
In light of decision in The Episcopal Church (USA) to consecrate an openly gay partnered bishop and in the Diocese of New Westminster (Canada) to approve the blessing of same-sex unions the Archbishop of Canterbury appointed the Lambeth Commission on Communion to reflect on the nature of our unity and episcopal jurisdiction. The Commission produced The Windsor Report in 2004. It proposes a number of recommendations including a covenant for the future of the Anglican Communion. The response of the Anglican Church of Canada to the recommendations, collected by the Windsor Response Task Group, will be presented to General Synod 2007.
Preparation: Please read the Windsor Report
available at: http://www.anglicancommunion.org/windsor2004/
For further information or assistance please contact:
Your diocesan office
Or
Faith, Worship & Ministry Department
416-924-9199