Council of General Synod highlights - March 10, 2007
March 8 – 11, 2007
Queen of Apostles, Mississauga, Ont.
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Members gathered for Eucharist at 7:30 a.m. Council convened at 9 a.m. with the Primate in the chair. Jim Cowan presented the orders of the day. Archbishop Terry Finlay led council in bible study.
Council considered reports from committees, councils and boards. Action items in the committee reports would be considered later.
Council received a report from the pensions committee. Council members asked questions. There were a number of items for information and two items for action, including a resolution for a pension increase of 4.5 per cent effective July 1, 2007. Council approved the resolutions.
Council received a report from the Council of the North. The report contained a number of items for information. Archbishop Caleb Lawrence noted that the report is based on a meeting by conference call.
Council received a report from the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund. The report contained a number of items for information.
Council received a report from the Communications and Information Resources Committee. The report contained a number of items for information and three items for action including a statement on Vision and Principles of Communications.
Council received a report from the Anglican Journal Board of Directors. The report contains some items for information and some items for action.
Council received a report from the Financial Management and Development Committee. The report contains items for information and action, including a recommendation for the establishment of a development office.
Council received a report from the Faith, Worship and Ministry Committee. The report contains a number of items for information, a number for action and a number of resolutions directed to General Synod.
Council received reports from the EcoJustice and Partners in Mission committees. The reports contain a number of items for information and a number of items for action, including a resolution to merge EcoJustice and Partners in Mission into one group.
Break
Council continued receiving reports.
Council received a report from the Joint Anglican Lutheran Commission. The report contained items for information and for action.
Council received a report from the Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples. The report contains a number of items for information.
Council heard a report from the Anti-Racism Working Group. The report contains items for information and for action. Council members asked a number of questions.
Council received a report from the Healing Fund.
Council heard an update on residential schools from Ellie Johnson and Archbishop Finlay. Ellie said that in light of the approval of the renegotiated agreement, some dioceses might be receiving refunds before the end of the year, but more likely in early 2008. Members asked questions.
Council heard reflections from its partner from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, Sonja Free, and from its own partner to ELCIC, Dean Peter Wall.
Council recessed for lunch at 12 p.m.
and reconvened at 1:30 p.m.
Council convened in committee of the whole to discuss the reports from yesterday’s conversation groups that were not addressed last evening.
The resolutions committee agreed to craft a motion on governance for later consideration. The consensus seems to be that the next CoGS should continue the governance working group with an overlap of members from this triennium and with budget.
Council had a brief discussion of the report from the ‘fundamental organization of the ACC’ working group.
Council moved out of committee of the whole to consider resolutions.
Council considered motions from the report of the Anti-Racism Working Group. Council approved a document entitled A Charter for Racial Justice in the Anglican Church of Canada. Council approved a new name – Anti-Racism Implementation Group – and a new mandate to continue the anti-racism work in the next triennium.
Council considered motions from the Communications and Information Resources Committee. Council approved the Vision and Principles of Communication document and commended it to the church. Council tabled a motion empowering the Officers of General Synod to negotiate an agreement with Augsburg Fortress Canada in respect of the Anglican Book Center. Council approved a motion recommending to General Synod that the number of members of CIRC be reduced to 10.
Council considered motions arising from the Financial Management and Development Committee. Council approved a number of motions related to the establishment and staffing of a financial development office.
Council approved a number of motions from the Faith, Worship and Ministry Committee, including one authorizing a French translation of the Prayers of the People for trial use and evaluation.
Council considered a motion from the EcoJustice and Partners in Mission committees approving a recommitment to partner with aboriginal peoples. Council considered motions that will go the General Synod on the joining of the EcoJustice and Partners in Mission committees. Council agreed to commend the motions to General Synod.
Council considered a motion on KAIROS arising from the report of the General Secretary.
Council considered a motion from Faith Worship and Ministry adopting the report of the Windsor Response Group and forwarding some resolutions concerning the Windsor Report and the draft covenant to General Synod.
Break
Council convened as committee of the whole to consider revised motions regarding the St. Michael Report.
The Primate opened the discussion. He said that council’s goal must be to assist the conversation at General Synod and not to manipulate an outcome. He said his view is that the 2007 synod should make a clear decision and not put the matter off another three years, which a canonical change would require. “Another three years does us no good whatever because in the eyes of the Communion we will have crossed the Rubicon and whatever damage has been done will have been done.” He said he is not convinced we are dealing with a matter of doctrine except that all we do is related to doctrine. He said he believes this is a matter of pastoral discipline. He said if council chooses to place a motion to General Synod, CoGS could still require approval by more than 50 per cent – perhaps approval by 60 per cent.
Bishop Ingham suggested a straw vote now between two options – to proceed by resolutions or by canonical amendment.
Council declined to take a straw vote and the discussion resumed. At the end of the discussion, the Primate asked some members to recraft the motion again.
Council moved out of committee of the whole.
Council adjourned at 4:30.
Council members traveled by bus to Trinity Streetsville for a farewell dinner for the Primate.
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