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Marriage in Church after divorce was reconsidered by General Synod, which had, in 1981, resolved that there are circumstances when such marriage would be appropriate. A recent consultation shows that this principle is accepted by a substantial majority in diocesan synods but there is less agreement on the method of deciding who should be re-married. A person has the legal right to be married in his parish church, but Statute gives a minister the right not to marry nor to allow his church to be used for the marriage of a divorced person whose former spouse is still living. Leading Church lawyers now advise that the exercise of this right is unlikely to breach the Human Rights Act but, under the Data Protection Act, a couple could demand to see any report on their particular case. Within these constraints, the Bishops asked Synod to rescind the Convocation Resolutions stating that those divorced should not be re-married in church; to affirm the lifelong nature of the marriage; to recognise that some marriages do fail in circumstances where a divorced person might be remarried in church; to note that the decision as to whether to solemnize such marriage rests with the minister and to endorse advice to be given by the Bishops on the exercise of this discretion. An adverse factor would be if the new marriage consecrated an old infidelity which caused the breakdown of the former marriage. Synod passed an amendment from the Revd. D Houlding noting the paramount importance of pastoral care for the couples and that re-marriage in church should be in exceptional circumstances. Mrs P Stranack warned of people misunderstanding what the Church was actually saying. Passing the motion would destroy the consistency of the present policy and could lead to pastoral difficulties in cases where re-marriage was refused. Synod approved the amended motion 269 - 83. It also approved proposals to allow weddings in churches with which the parties had a demonstrable connection and to replace banns by a civil registration system, the application, for church marriages being submitted by the minister. Strategic issues for the Church are examined in a report from the archbishops' Council which seeks to set priorities for the Church within a common way forward. The Bishop of Rochester warned that the secularisation of society threatened to marginilise the Church, which should focus on mission, equipping God's people for this task and not merely using our resources to help areas of need. Choices, however, give rise to differing views, as happened in debates on urban mission. One motion asked that we respond to the needs and opportunities in urban areas but the Bishop of Norwich feared that rural districts were being denuded of resources. Synod passed the motion and a subsequent one, which endorsed proposals for a fund-raising campaign to secure the long term future of the Church Urban Fund. The Archbishops' Council report for 2001 notes the consequences of the financial crisis facing the Church due, not to the fall in parochial income, which, in 2000, rose by 8%, but from the increasing demand to finance pensions. As a result, staffing levels in Church House have been cut back. This must effect central servicing available to the dioceses. Synod accepted the report and the budget for 2003, which freezes central expenditure for another year. Synod approved recommendations for reforming central administration, under which there will be three main divisional groups for Education, for Buildings and for the Church's Mission and Public Affairs, incorporating the work of the Boards for Mission and for Social responsibility and the Hospital Chaplaincies Council. Synod agreed to seek savings by various reforms in procedures for questions, including the limit on the number from any one member being reduced from 4 to 2. There was considerable debate over Synod's size and, after rejecting a motion to reduce membership by between ¼ and 1/3, it was resolved that the total numbers be reduced from 578 to not more than 500. There will be a representative constituency for archdeacons instead of one from each diocese. The House of Laity agreed to conduct the election of 2 representatives onto the Archbishops' Council after electing its chair and vice-chair, who are ex officio members. Speakers were concerned at the possible restricted breadth of representation consequent on the limited numbers elected to the Council. Motion to exclude state participation in the appointment of Bishops. The Bishop of Woolwich said that it was scandalous that the Church's Crown Appointment Commission had to submit two names, from which the Premier could choose one for nomination by the Queen. The Bishop of Durham warned that the Church cannot amend part only of the system of establishment and Synod clearly rejected the motion. On behalf of the Bishops, the Bishop of Rochester presented a progress report on Women in the Episcopate. Subsequent debate showed continuing wide differences, some feeling that we should build on the success of women priests and that women bishops should have no restriction on their ministry. Others argued that the proposal was divisive, would damage relations with the Roman Catholics and was not theologically justifiable. Synod endorsed cautious progress in relations with the Methodist Church, to be marked by a covenant affirming the two churches are both part of the Church of Christ. Other issues... Synod agreed a motion from Canon Kosovor, which urged the sharing of our faith with all, including those of other faiths... In a debate on conflict in the Holy Land, Synod was moved by accounts of visitors to the area. The motion passed declared that the root cause of the present violence was Israeli occupation of Palestinian areas and sought pressure to effect a settlement which provided justice for the Palestinians and security for Israel. Diocese were encouraged to strengthen personal links with Churches in the area... In debating the Government's proposals for regionalisation, Synod asked that the Church should adapt its structures to the growing significance of regions but agreed to request that, in seeking voters views on possible regional bodies, the Government should consider the size and boundaries of the regions proposed... The present weekday lectionaries were authorised for continued use until December 2007... In the light of Parliamentary concern, Synod agreed to amend the Pensions Measure so as to delete the right after 2011 for the Church Commissioners to use capital to cover any deficit in the clergy pension fund. If further resort to capital was then required, another measure would need to be passed... Mr A Wittam Smith, the new First Church Estate Commissioner, challenged the policy of gradually increasing the fees paid to diocesan registrars to meet a perceived underpayment. Synod noted that the Commissioners were analysing the work done and agreed that, pending their report, policy should be unchanged... Tributes were paid to Dr Carey on his impending retirement and to Sir Philip Mawer, the Secretary General, who is to be Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards in Public Life... Synod agreed that from 2003 the pattern of meetings should be February London Sessions and July York sessions, with a possible further November meeting if required. |
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page last updated 12 OCTOBER 2002 |
