General Synod in February this year had a packed programme and was very far from a single issue gathering. During our time together, we discussed and decided a variety of church business.
This included a new method for resourcing theological education, which gives greater financial stability to theological colleges while also encouraging innovation, closer working with dioceses and a greater emphasis on lay training. We also had a debate on the “cost of living” crisis, followed by a debate on parochial fees, as you will have seen from the questions paper. And as the issues are set out well there I won’t repeat things.*
We had a report from the new Head of Safeguarding, and completed some necessary legislative work which allows us to implement some of the recommendations of the IICSA report. In this case it was amending the canons – the laws of the church – to allow the creation of diocesan safeguarding officers, instead of advisers, who will have increased independence as they help us develop a healthy safeguarding culture.
As some dioceses struggle more than others in the current financial climate, due to disparity in historic reserves, synod also voted to allow dioceses to be generous to one another. Glebe and other historic assets, the income from which is restricted to use within their diocese, may now – if the diocese wish – be used to help pay for clergy stipends in other dioceses. As a diocese with significant historic assets, this is something that we may wish to consider in the coming years.
As it was our first meeting since the death of the late Queen and the accession of her son, King Charles, the Archbishop of Canterbury also gave a loyal address to our new monarch.
But of course, the largest piece of work during synod was the LLF group work followed by a nine hour debate on the House of Bishops proposals. It was a gruelling process, but at times a spiritual and uplifting one. At the start of the Synod, I bumped into David Porter, one time Canon for Reconciliation at our Cathedral and asked him how he was feeling. He pointed out that he was used to negotiating between groups of heavily armed terrorists, so General Synod wasn’t that bad. And, he was right. There were some deeply painful and frustrating moments at Synod, but at the end of the day the vast majority of people in that room just wanted to do the right thing. Of course, we all had a different idea of what that looked like – but that’s why we are Anglicans. So we sat through hours of amendments and speeches until we could finally vote on the motion, which comfortably passed in all three houses. Synod agreed that we should apologise to LGBT+ people for the hurts the church has caused, review the outdated Issues in Human Sexuality document and produce prayers which can be used to celebrate a same-sex relationship.
But much is still to be done. The pastoral guidance which supports these proposals is due to be scrutinized at our synod in July, and devil may yet be in the detail – a phrase I use advisedly. My encouragement to you is to resist anxious division, to continue to walk together as we follow God’s leading, to pray hard for the working groups who will be doing much of the debating and drafting under the Bishops’ guidance and most of all to be so incredibly mindful of LGBT people and their families as their lives and loves come under the theological microscope once again. As Bishop Sarah said repeatedly in her responses to amendments, this is about people.
I am happy to give further feedback outside of this meeting. Thank you Chair for the chance to report to this synod.
*From the DS Question Paper:
QUESTION 3
Asked by Sam Margrave Directed to Bishop Christopher
As the nation struggles with the inflation and a cost of living crisis, the Church is also facing significant increases in costs and many parishes are struggling to pay their bills.
Despite this General Synod took the decision to reduce fees out of the hands of Parishes and has capped any rise at 5%.
While well intentioned (and it will hopefully help to increase the number of Church weddings), what is the impact (in cost terms) for this Diocese and Parishes regarding loss of income and will there be extra support and a different approach for Parishes who find this decision finds them paying higher bills but charging less than expected causes serious financial difficulties?
Response from Jacqueline Ladds, Diocesan Secretary, on behalf of Bishop Christopher
It is not possible to measure the immediate impact of this change for the Diocese and parishes as the fees collected will vary year on year, and each parish is different. In view of the manner in which fees are collected, the consequence is only something we can monitor over time.
Statutory fees for the period 2020-2024 were set to increase annually in line with CPI as measured at the preceding August, which would have meant that the fees effective from 1st January 2023 would have increased between 10.3% and 14.3% from 2022.
In view of the cost of living crisis, General Synod approved a motion to revise increases to a maximum of CPI or 5%, and this came into force from 1st March 2023. It should be remembered that, even though the rise in the statutory fees has been capped, it still represents an increase on the fees charged in 2022.
The parochial fees cover the cost of the minister’s time in preparing and taking the service; making the church available for the service, including the cost of lighting; and routine administration, for example arranging dates, and recording entries in registers. Each parish is able to charge discretionary fees for other services like heating, belling ringing or church music for example. It is possible that this may offer some compensation.
Kate's General Synod Digest 