Resolution Number: A-67

Subject: Amendments to Canon XXI - On Marriage in the Church

Moved By: (Name) Canon Peter Davison from the Diocese of Kootenay

Seconded By: (Name) from the Diocese of

Note: The mover and the seconder must be members of the General Synod and be present in the House when the resolution is before the synod for debate.

BE IT RESOLVED:

That first reading be given to the Resolution:

That paragraphs (c) and (d) of Section 33 of Canon XXI be amended to read:

    1. On receipt of an application mentioned in b) from a person who is residing in Canada in a diocese in which there is a Commission, the chaplain shall forward the application to the bishop of the diocese in which the applicant is resident.
    2. If the applicant is serving or residing outside Canada or in a diocese in which there is no Commission, the chaplain shall forward the application to the Bishop Ordinary of the Canadian Forces for action.

That a new section 34 be added to Canon XXI as follows:

  1. Diocesan Option
    2.
    1. Notwithstanding anything in this Canon, the synod of a diocese may, with the concurrence of the diocesan bishop, adopt a canon declaring that the requirement in section 27 a) of this Canon does not apply to the diocese.
    2. In a diocese whose synod has adopted such a declaration:
      1. applications for declarations of marital status under Part III shall be made to and determined by the diocesan chancellor, and
      2. applications for permission to remarry under Part IV shall be made to and decided by the incumbent of the parish or mission where it is desired that the intended marriage be celebrated.

NOTE: SINCE CANON XXI IS A CANON DEALING WITH DOCTRINE, THIS AMENDMENT, IF PASSED ON FIRST READING, WILL BE REFERRED TO DIOCESES AND PROVINCES FOR CONSIDERATION, AND WILL REQUIRE PASSAGE AT THE NEXT SESSION OF THE GENERAL SYNOD.

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EXPLANATORY NOTE/BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

General Synod in 1995 passed the following resolution:

That the Council of the General Synod present to the next meeting of General Synod appropriate amendments to Canon XXI on Marriage in the Church with particular view to the appropriate role and purposes of Matrimonial Commissions in the Church.

The original motion had called for the option for a diocese to function with or without a Matrimonial Commission, and this amendment would put in place that option, if a diocesan synod, with the concurrence of the bishop, so desired.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source: Council of General Synod

Submitted by: General Secretary