Synod In Past Years
>> Ordinary Session 2001

Resolutions

Resolutions 1/01 to 4/01 were passed at the special session of the Synod in June 2001.

5/01 Ministry Ordinance 2001: withdrawal

Synod grants leave for the mover to withdraw the bill for the Ministry Ordinance 2001.

(Dr Barry Newman - 26.10.01)

6/01 Reappointment of the Stipends and Allowances Committee

Synod hereby reappoints the Stipends and Allowances Committee, with power to co-opt and directs that it report its findings and recommendations to the Standing Committee for action.

(Mr Philip Gerber - 26.10.01)

7/01 Sabbatical leave for assistant bishops

Synod respectively requests that the Archbishop, from the beginning of 2002, grant to his Regional and/or assistant bishops a period of "sabbatical" leave of at least 6 months during any 6 year period of their Episcopal service to be taken in two parts, namely -

(a) a period of up to 3 months working with a senior clergyman in a parish assisting in the parochial ministry in a "hands on" way, and

(b) 3 months in study at College, Institution or University as may be approved by the Archbishop in consultation with his colleague, so as to improve his effectiveness in his ongoing episcopal oversight and ministry.

(The Rev Neil Flower - 26.10.01)

8/01 Archbishop's power to withhold assent

Synod requests that the Standing Committee -

(a) examine the nature, basis, origin, history and development of the Archbishop's power to withhold his assent to the making of ordinances duly passed by the Synod,

(b) prepare a report detailing its findings, and

(c) if thought appropriate, consider the preparation of legislation relating to this matter to the next session of the Synod.

(Mr Neil Ingham - 26.10.01)

9/01 Weekend Synod meetings

Synod appreciates the opportunity to trial a weekend Synod in 2001, acknowledges that Synod in 2002 will be a weekday Synod, and requests that a debate on when Synod should normally meet (weekdays or weekends) be scheduled for the second day of the 2nd Session of the 46th Synod in 2003 so that appropriate notice and arrangements may be made for the 1st Session of the 47th Synod in 2005.

(The Rev Zac Veron - 26.10.01)

10/01 Homosexual "marriage" and ordination

Synod -

(a) appreciates the work done by the Faculty of Moore College in publishing a volume of Explorations entitled Theological and Pastoral responses to Homosexuality (1994), and

(b) since this matter will be frequently before the Church in the next decade - requests that the Faculty of Moore College, through the Principal, keep the Christian public informed of the matters under debate and, in particular, brief the General Synod members on the issues before the next meeting of that body.

(The Rev Stephen Gibson - 26.10.01)

11/01 Anglican schools in the Diocese of Sydney

Synod -

(a) affirms the role of Anglican Schools in the Diocese in their significant contribution to the Church's service of the community and their participation in the proclamation of Christ,

(b) expresses deep appreciation and gratitude to God for the service of members of Governing Bodies, Heads of Schools, and dedicated members of staff, who effect this work, and

(c) acknowledges the growing outstanding influence for the Gospel of Chaplains and assistant Chaplains in these schools.

(The Rev Greg Burke - 26.10.01)

12/01 Australian Christian Racing Industry Ministry

Synod -

(a) commends the work of Australian Christian Racing Industry Ministry (ACRIM) in seeking to bring the gospel to people in the thoroughbred racing industry, and

(b) commends the work of ACRIM to the prayers of Synod members, and especially to those parishes with elements of the racing industry within geographical proximity, and

(c) urges these parishes to develop strategies to reach the racing industry in association with ACRIM, and

(d) prays for God's blessing on ACRIM's efforts to raise money for a full time racing industry chaplain, and for the generosity of parishes and Christians in financially supporting this ministry.

(Bishop Brian King - 26.10.01)

13/01 Chaplain to the Maori Community

Synod requests that the Standing Committee clarify the relationship to the Diocese of the Chaplain to the Maori Community (the Rev Malcolm Karipa) and the Maori Church (Te Wairua Tapu) in Redfern, and seek their advice on how they may be drawn more closely into the life of the Diocese.

(Mrs Patricia Judge - 26.10.01)

14/01 Diocesan Insurances

Synod requests that Anglican Church Property Trust Diocese of Sydney review the extent and levels of insurance cover arranged by the Diocese for the liabilities that -

(a) members of the Standing Committee,

(b) members of the Property Trust,

(c) members or executives of other bodies established by the Synod,

(d) parish clergy,

(e) members of parish councils and church committees, and

(f) members of the Councils or Boards of schools established under individual ordinance or the Sydney Anglican Schools Corporation

may incur on account of allegations of -

(i) negligence,

(ii) breach of trust,

(iii) breach of statutory duty (such as under taxation, child protection or heritage legislation),

(iv) breach of other duties or responsibilities,

on account of their undertaking those responsibilities on behalf of the church, and asks that the Property Trust report to the session of the Synod in 2002 about -

(i) the extent of any (residual) personal liability that such people may currently incur, and

(ii) any recommendations as to changes to insurance or to risk management procedures that should be implemented to minimise the likelihood of such claims.

(Mr David Minty - 26.10.01)

15/01 Term of office of assistant bishops

Synod requests that the Archbishop and Standing Committee review the role of assistant bishops with the view to -

(a) appointing assistant bishops to a fixed term of office subject thereafter to extensions, and

(b) appointing some younger bishops to the episcopal team, and

(c) developing a more flexible diocesan culture which facilitates the opportunity for bishops to return to parish ministry after serving their episcopal term of office within the Diocese.

(Canon Terry Dein - 26.10.01)

16/01 Focussing resources for the Gospel

Synod -

(a) endorses the principle of moving to a strategy driven spending model, and

(b) requests that the funding strategies and principles that arise out of consultation with the parishes and other bodies of the Diocese based on the Standing Committee's report to the Synod be used as the basis for preparing the proposed ordinance to be brought before the Synod in 2002 to authorise distributions in 2003, 2004 and 2005.

(Canon Peter Tasker - 26.10.01)

17/01 Mrs Irene Harney

Synod acknowledges with thankfulness to God the faithful, prayerful and Godly presence of Irene Harney among us for many years as the lay representative for the parish of Manly Vale and offers her our prayers and best wishes for the future.

(Dr Laurie Scandrett - 26.10.01)

18/01 Rouse Hill Anglican College

Synod gives thanks to God for the establishment of Rouse Hill Anglican College in the north-west sector of Sydney and assures the foundation Principal, Mr Peter Fowler, and the School Council of its encouragement.

(Dr Laurie Scandrett - 27.10.01)

19/01 Reclassification of Harbord as a parish

Synod assents to the reclassification of Harbord as a parish with effect from 1 August 2001.

(The Rev Mark Dickens - 27.10.01)

20/01 Reclassification of Lavender Bay as a parish

Synod assents to the reclassification of Lavender Bay as a parish with effect from 1 January 2002.

(Archdeacon Ernie Carnaby - 27.10.01)

21/01 Reclassification of Leichhardt as a parish

Synod assents to the reclassification of Leichhardt as a parish with effect from 1 January 2002.

(The Rev David Crain - 27.10.01)

22/01 Reclassification of Quakers Hill as a parish

Synod assents to the reclassification of Quakers Hill as a parish with effect from 1 January 2002.

(Mr Philip Gerber - 27.10.01)

23/01 Reclassification of Seven Hills as a parish

Synod assents to the reclassification of Seven Hills as a parish with effect from 1 January 2002.

(Mr David Horne - 27.10.01)

24/01 Anglicare chaplaincies

Synod -

(a) acknowledges the important core ministry being undertaken by Anglican chaplains in general and psychiatric hospitals, prisons and juvenile justice centres and the Life After Prison Ministry, and

(b) encourages Anglicare to maintain those core ministries and to develop them as resources permit, and

(c) notes with concern the financial difficulties facing the Sydney Anglican Home Mission Society Council (Anglicare) by the end of 2004 in providing this ministry without the financial support of Synod, and

(d) notes that the AHMS council will be requesting that the Synod Estimates Ordinance for the triennium 2003-2004-2005 include a provision to support Anglican chaplaincy in general and psychiatric hospitals, juvenile justice centres, prisons and the Life After Prison Ministry, on a dollar for dollar basis with Anglicare up to an amount of $800,000 p.a.

(Canon Howard Dillon - 27.10.01)

25/01 Lay and diaconal administration of Holy Communion

Synod noting its own frequently expressed desire for lay and diaconal administration of holy communion and the Archbishop's comments that he wishes to find a constitutionally legal way to proceed, requests that the Standing Committee appoint a committee to investigate the options, if any, consistent with law, that are available and report back to the next ordinary session of the Synod together with any appropriate legislation.
(The Rev Dr Glenn Davies - 27.10.01)

26/01 General Synod - promotion of canon concerning administration of Holy Communion by deacons

Synod requests that our representatives on General Synod, at the next session of the General Synod, promote a bill for a canon to permit a deacon to administer Holy Communion.

(Miss Linda Hughes - 27.10.01)

27/01 Diocesan files on clergy

Synod requests that the Archbishop-in-Council prepare a protocol under which proper provisions may be made for the keeping of material about members of the clergy and stipendiary lay workers in the Diocese and to allow a member of clergy or lay worker to inspect all material held on file about them including provision for the correction of apparent errors.

(The Rev Phillip Jensen - 27.10.01)

28/01 Tribunal Ordinance 1962 Amendment Ordinance 2001

Synod refers the bill for the Tribunal Ordinance 1962 Amendment Ordinance 2001 to the next ordinary session of the Synod and requests that the Standing Committee -

(a) redraft the bill in plain English, and

(b) identify issues of principle which can be dealt with by the Synod separately from the text of the bill, and

(c) advise the Synod on the merits of amendments of which notice has been given to the Diocesan Secretary during the course of this session.

(Mr Neil Cameron - 02.11.01)

29/01 Refugees

Synod -

(a) notes the existence of an estimated 22.3 million refugees and people of concern to the UNHCR throughout the world and the particular issue for our own nation with hundreds of asylum seekers, especially from Afghanistan and Iraq, arriving by boat in Australian water,

(b) calls on our political leaders to show wise and just leadership by calming fear, by facilitating a speedier process of assessing the claims of asylum seekers, by providing a more humanitarian detention system, by urging our community to respect cultural and religious differences and reach out in care and concern to all those traumatised by social, religious and racial discrimination, and

(c) calls on our church members to make this a matter of ongoing prayer and Christian concern.

(Archdeacon Geoff Huard - 02.11.01)

30/01 Jubilee 2000

Remembering -

(a) that Synod as part of its Jubilee 2000 resolution overwhelmingly voted that 1% of appropriations be directed to needy overseas dioceses, and

(b) that this allocation was one of the 4 top priorities in forming the Synod Estimates Ordinance 1999 for the present triennium, and

(c) our new Archbishop's emphasis in his Presidential Address that we have a message of salvation for the world, and that "the salvation of the world is God's glory",

Synod resolves that the principle of allocating at least 1% of Diocesan appropriations to partnership in gospel work with needy overseas dioceses be maintained in the next Synod Estimates Ordinance.

(The Rev Frank Gee - 03.11.01)

31/01 Amendment of the business rules

Synod requests that the Standing Committee amend the business rules so that -

(a) oral votes in the affirmative can be made by saying 'Aye', and

(b) notices of motion given at the beginning of each day be read to the Synod so that early notice may be had of the motion.

(Mr Robert Tong - 03.11.01)

32/01 Meetings about amendments to bills

Synod encourages the Diocesan Secretary to convene either before Synod, or during Synod, meetings of members who wish to propose amendments to bills so that the time of Synod as a whole is used more effectively.
(Mr Robert Tong - 03.11.01)

33/01 Committee to review the Conduct of the Business of Synod Ordinance 2000

Synod requests that the Standing Committee appoint a committee to review the Conduct of the Business of Synod Ordinance 2000 and to bring to the next session of the Synod an amending ordinance to implement changes it thinks are appropriate.

(Mr Graeme Marks - 03.11.01)

34/01 Voting for regional council elections

Synod, noting -

(a) that the election process for regional council members requires that at least one lay member and one clerical member be from each area deanery, but that

(b) nonetheless, where only one such lay and/or clerical nomination is received for a Deanery, this person is still included on the ballot paper, and so

(c) Synod members still need to vote for some nominees who will in any event be 'automatically' elected,

requests that the Standing Committee consider reviewing the appropriate election ordinance(s) so that in these (and any similar circumstances) such nominees would be declared elected and would so not need to be included on the ballot paper.

(Mr Brian Gaetjens - 03.11.01)

35/01 Use of word processing and projection technology during debates

Synod, noting the problems that some members have following the debate and voting on amendments to motions and proposed ordinances, requests that the Diocesan Secretariat consider a further trial, during debates and voting, of the projection onto screen of-

(a) the wording of each motion (or clause of a proposed ordinance) being considered, and

(b) for each amendment, what would be the changed wording if that amendment were passed.

(Mr Brian Gaetjens - 03.11.01)

36/01 Bishops Paul Barnett and Ray Smith and Archdeacon Peter Smart

Synod records its gratitude to God for the ministries of Bishops Paul Barnett and Ray Smith and Archdeacon Peter Smart noting particularly their contribution to the Synod, its committees and processes and wishes them and their wives Anita, Shirley and Elizabeth God's continued blessing in their retirement ministries.
(Archdeacon Geoff Huard - 03.11.01)

37/01 Church Discipline Ordinance 1996 Amendment Ordinance 2001: referral to the 1st session of the 46th Synod

That further consideration of this ordinance be referred to the 1st session of the 46th Synod and that the Standing Committee give this matter a high priority on the agenda of the Synod.

(The Rev Phillip Jensen - 03.11.01)

38/01 Procedural Motions

(1) Synod records its appreciation of the leadership of Bishop Paul Barnett through the devotions during this session.

(The President - 03.11.01)

(2) Synod records its appreciation of -

(a) the President for his chairmanship,

(b) the Chairman and Deputy Chairmen of Committees for their work in the Committee stages of bills for ordinances,

(c) the members who helped during the session by giving advice and serving on committees,

(d) the services given by the Secretaries, the Returning Officer and Deputy Returning Officer, the staff of the Secretariat and Anglican Media, the pianists and all those who have helped with the arrangements for sittings.

(Mr Richard Lambert - 03.11.01)

(3) Synod refers to the next session of this Synod the bills for ordinances remaining on the business paper and asks that the Standing Committee continue to consult with parishes which have heritage buildings about the issues raised by the Church Administration (Heritage Property) Amendment Ordinance 2001.
(Archdeacon Peter Smart - 03.11.01)

(4) Synod requests that the movers of proposed ordinances referred to the 1st session of the 46th Synod liaise with those who have given notice of amendments and authorises the printing of bills for that session incorporating those amendments which are acceptable to the movers.
(Mr MARK PAYNE - 03.11.01)

(5) Synod authorises the President to sign the minutes of 3 November upon the production to the Standing Committee of the certificate of any 2 members of the Minute Reading Committee.
(Mr MARK PAYNE - 03.11.01)

(6) Synod hereby adjourns without appointing another day of meeting.
(The Rev Chris Moroney - 03.11.01)

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