Friday, May 29

CoGS to consider adding two additional youth reps
The Council of General Synod has been directed to consider changing the manner of youth representation on its body.  Currently, two members are elected at-large; synod members asked CoGS to study a model where one young person is elected from each Ecclesiastical Province, for a total of four.

Synod rejects "rep-by-pop" proposal
Members have rejected a proposal to direct the Council of General Synod to develop a new model of membership in the General Synod "which may include the principle of representation by Anglican population in each diocese."  Currently, the number of diocesan delegates is determined by a formula involving the number of clergy in that diocese. In a reversal of last evening's Human Rights' result, the motion was supported by bishops, but defeated by clergy and lay members. Assent was required by both groups for the resolution to pass.

Bishops' position on homosexuality commended
By a large majority, members have commended the House of Bishops for their 1979 statement Human Sexuality. The resolution passed with a minor amendment and no debate.   The bishops' statement concerns the ordination of gay and lesbian persons and the blessing of covenanted same-sex relationships.

Thursday, May 28

Bishops defeat controversial
  Human Rights policy

Peter Davison from the Diocese of Kootenay speaks during the Human Rights debate. Members waited in long lineups to have a turn to address the Plenary.

Canadian Anglican bishops have vetoed adoption on a Human Rights policy that would have included guarantees of equal treatment regardless of sexual orientation or marital status.

The motion was carried by clergy and lay members of the General Synod, the church's national governing body, but bishops were opposed. It required all three groups to vote in favour of the resolution for it to pass.

The resolution to adopt the policy was the most hotly debated of the synod thus far. It took four separate sittings of the session to reach the decision.

Church urges apology to Inuit members
As a result of an overwhelming majority vote, the Anglican Church of Canada will request the Prime Minister to apologize to certain Inuit families who were displaces from their communities and hunting grounds to the High Arctic in the 1950s.

Canon and alternative services text
The complete text of the approved Licencing Canon and the alternative prayers and services will be posted on the www.anglican.ca web site next week. The delay is not intentional -- synod staff are backlogged by amendments and last-minute resolutions, and want to be certain the text is accurate when released. Thanks for your patience.

General Synod Olympics Update
Who won the diocesan bishop toss?  The water-cannon distribution of the eucharistic gifts? And which bishop has been disqualified for scotch consumption?   It's all part of the light-hearted Synod Olympics Update, a skit put on by some youth members which, following healthy debate on a Human Rights policy, was welcome comic relief.
    See photos and read the text of the skit.

National cmte. members selected
Members have approved the slate of members on the church's national committees for the 1998-2001 term.  But it wasn't without debate -- a member from Newfoundland asked the synod to reject the slate because he said Newfoundland represented 19 per cent of the Anglican population in Canada, a ratio that wasn't equated in the committee membership.   It was also noted that no nominations from the Diocese of Caledonia were received.

Wednesday, May 27

With debate beginning to heat up on the already-hot Plenary floor, the twice-daily delivery of hundreds of water bottles is proving to be something of a Godsend.

Anglican Church against human cloning
Synod directed the General Secretary to write the Prime Minister of Canada to encourage the government to prohibit human cloning.  While discussing the motion, one member suggested members consider the possible "pastoral use" of human cloning.

Euthanaisa statement for national study Anglicans across Canada will get an opportunity to comment on a statement on euthanasia and assisted suicide after the synod commended it for use as a study paper.  The synod, though, agreed with a member's request to have the document edited first before sending out.

Nat'l committee membership draft 5:00 PM
Synod members reviewed the first report of the Nominations Committee, the body that selects membership on the national committee's.  The final report will be presented to members tomorrow morning and will be on the web site at that time.

National church budget unified 10:25 AM
Members have given approval to removing references to the Assessment and Apportionment parts of General Synod financial procedures and unifying the income side of the General Synod budget. The expenditure side was unified in 1995.
    Read the resolution

Hey, Macarana! 10:00 AM

You can't say synod members aren't getting their exercise! This morning, the youth caucus led everyone in a massive Macarena dance.

On the floor today 9:30 AM
Resolutions for debate today include euthanasia, human cloning, music resources for small churches, the ecumenical decade, and a proposal to unify the national church budget.  At 11:30am, partners will share their reflections on the synod, and in the afternoon interdiocesan discussion groups will talk about a number of topics.

No decision yet on Human Rights
Members will come back to continue discussing the Human Rights proposal, having run out of time at two schedule debate sessions.  Last evening, members enjoyed an evening off, most spending the night as a diocese having dinner, walking around Old Montreal, and more.

Tuesday, May 26

No decision yet on Human Rights
Members are still discussing the Human Rights proposal, having run out of time at two schedule debate sessions.  This evening, members are enjoying an evening off, most spending the night as a diocese having dinner, walking around Old Montreal, and more.

Montreal Gazette reports on Unity Forum
This is a photo of an article running in this morning's Montreal Gazette newspaper.

Monday, May 25

The role of the church in Qu�bec
Warning the church "has no business aligning itself with the Yes or the No side of a referendum," the bishop of Montreal told Synod members at a presentation on Nation and Unity today that Anglicans must instead safeguard fundamental rights. "It is not acceptable to achieve a political agenda at the cost of the just and core values of a society."
    Read the summary
    Listen to audio highlights
    Transcript in English
    Texte en Fran�ais

Yes to alternative services and prayers
Synod members have given bishops authority to use three alternative eucharistic prayers and two alternative Services of the Word in their dioceses for three years. Before approving the liturgies, members made several small revisions to the text of the prayers, which drew considerable debate about the appropriateness of changing liturgical text at a Synod.

Licencing Canon approved
By a healthy majority, Synod members approved, with two minor amendments, a change to the controversial Licencing Canon. The revised Canon permits bishops to revoke a licence in non-disciplinary circumstances. Describing the vote result as a "very significant change in the life of our Synod," the Primate commented. "To achieve the passing of a licencing Canon I had begun to think that was something that would not happen in my time."

The vote was close enough to require members to stand and be counted. It was the first such close vote of the Synod

Change to marriage commission structure rejected
Synod members narrowly rejected a change to the church's matrimonial commission structure which would have given dioceses the option to operate with or without a commission.

Council of General Synod elected
Synod members elected the Council of General Synod, the church's governing body between General Synods, this morning.

"Failure of human community": Report
Anglicans across the country will be asked to respond to a new report which says the church cannot support euthanasia or assisted suicide.

First TV program airs tonight
Be sure to set your VCR to 7pm (ET/PT) Monday to catch the first Anglican Synod television shows.

Weekend, May 23-24

Sunny day for children's eucharist
With painted faces, clowns, and a rock band, Synod members enjoyed an afternoon in the sunshine for the children's eucharist. Take a peek at the fun by clicking the headline above to view the photo album.

Andrews acclaimed as Prolocutor

Rodney Andrews (left) is the new Prolocutor of General Synod. Executive Archdeacon for the Diocese of Algoma, Andrews has been a member of the Council of General Synod and chairs the nominations committee at this General Synod. Diane Brooks from the Diocese of the Arctic was elected deputy prolocutor.

Healthy debate on new liturgies
Synod members discussed a resolution that would grant bishops authority to use alternative liturgies for three years.  Questions ranged from the use of gender-inclusive language to the three-year period and what would happen following it.  Members will be asked to vote on the resolution later in the Synod.  It would apply to three eucharistic prayers and two Services of the Word.

Friday, May 22

Monday TV show lineup
Be sure to set your VCR to 7pm (ET/PT) Monday to catch the first Anglican Synod television shows. Click on the headline above to view the first show's lineup.

Primate Urges Listening

Archbishop Michael Peers spoke to members this morning in his Presidential Address.  You can read the news release summary or the complete text of his comments.

Thursday, May 21

Future of Canada relies on diversity
Canadians must address the urgent question of cultural identity, Bishop French Chang-Him told Synod members and visitors at Montreal's Christ Church Cathedral Thursday evening.

Spectacular Opening Service
With liturgical dance, incense, brass and timpani, last night's opening service was a magnificent event. It marked the first time the Cathedral parish of the Diocese of Montreal has hosted the General Synod in nearly 30 years.  We've got the photos and, if you have a RealAudio player, you can hear a sampling of the sounds.