newsletter !o $) !o%emer (,-. ISSN 1836-511 WEBSITE: www.anglicantogether.org Report on Sydney Synod - October 2017 The first session of the51st Resolution (16/17 page 80) the offensiveness of this policy. Synod met for five days - 9-17 requires that the policy be (Copy of speech below.) October, commencing with a implemented now but also be I did not want to derail this Communion Service in the refined and brought back to critical domestic abuse policy by Cathedral. The Secretariat’s Synod for our blessing next year. side tracking debate onto all comprehensive report of Feedback from any interested complementarian theology. The Synod, Synod Proceedings, is person is welcome – write to the policy drafters were very available: Standing Committee by 30 April supportive; the Archbishop was https://www.sds.asn.au/sites/defa 2018. very gracious in thanking me for ult/files/2017.SynodProceedings.f the speech. Contrary to comment Please read the material if you ull.pdf?doc_id=NTUyNzU= in the press, I did not feel have expertise or experience that ignored. The applause was strong There is the Presidential Address; could contribute to further and quite a number of grateful answers to all formal Questions refinement. people spoke to me later. I look asked in the House; all forward to seeing any Resolutions made; I spoke at Synod about the developments next Synod. Canons/Ordinances adopted and problem of the word all relevant papers for items ‘submission’ which has been Synod issued a formal debated. Again, the Secretariat adopted in this Diocese, as part statement of “Grief and Apology” did a magnificent job managing of the Complementarian in regards to domestic abuse and the whole show. The Theology. how it has been handled in the Archbishop, as chair, is gracious, This theology, in summary, past. (Resolution 17/17 (page 80). humorous and inclusive. Four is key to keeping women out of Gender Identity: Initial topics are highlighted here. priestly leadership roles in the Principles of Engagement Sydney Anglican Diocese and is Domestic Abuse Policy (Paper: p173 of Synod Proceedings) (Paper: p368 of Synod Proceedings) also expressed in the “complementary roles of man and A lengthy report on Gender In Synod 2013, a resolution wife” – sacrificial leader Identity was brought to Synod, was passed calling for the husband/submissive wife. and concluded with a education of clergy in handling recommendation advising church domestic abuse, after a number I focussed on the incongruity workers on how to respond of harrowing stories. between the excellent policy, pastorally in this complex area, Shockingly, some clergy were which covers both emotional and taking into account Scriptural physical abuse, and the retention counselling partners to stay in the teachings, medical and legal marriage, despite severe abuse. of the word ‘submission’ in the considerations. This advice is the How to reconcile the theology of context of marriage. I pointed out “Initial (first cut, in a sense) that current day definitions of marriage (for life) with this Principles of Engagement”. One appalling problem? This draft “submission” equate to abuse. I may strongly disagree (as I do) policy addressed the theological argued that, if one adheres to with the theological interpretation issues as well as providing a complementarianism, then which, in blunt summary, is that nevertheless the essence of such a practical guide to clergy and deviations from the male/female parish workers on how to marriage is still ‘love’, promised God given norm are the result of respond. It is a well-researched, before God, one for each other, ‘The Fall’ and only male/female not control. I drew attention to sensitive and caring document sexual relationships or celibacy full of excellent advice. are the appropriate Christian road. 1 But the Diocese has moved a long Anglican agencies, including pressure from expectations of away in recent times; the reality our schools, which work with others around you; and an actual of gender issues, which can be so people with gender identity tally of the vote. Professor painful, is no longer denied. The issues, are invited to provide Stewart effectively reprimanded paper is well grounded in medical comment to Standing Standing Committee for not science, sweeping in its coverage, Committee by 30 April 2018. having brought this motion to and highlights especially the Synod themselves. “They should A motion that, in summary, distress caused by gender have sought our endorsement” he offered an apology to all dysphoria which is fully said. “It is not right that Synod LGBTQI people, for past acknowledged (ie “distress members might return to their treatment of, and attitudes to, by associated with having a parishes without having had the the church and some church psychological or emotional opportunity to express their minds workers, was withdrawn on the gender identity that does not on the matter of the $1m.” A last day as the movers match a person’s biological sex” further motion from the floor acknowledged they had received p215). that Professor Stewart’s motion feedback that some of its wording ‘not be put’ was carried on During the debate on the could still offend. This motion voices. Principles, the drafters advised was well-intended and it will be Stifled from the floor again. they have been challenged by the brought back to next Synod. category of Intersex, on which Proposal for a Property Same Sex Marriage they need to do more work. (report: p310 of Synod Proceedings) Receipts Levy (ps.342, 364 of Intersex refers to people who are Synod Proceedings) born with any of several As you will know, Synod was For the fourth year in a row, variations in sex characteristics presented with a fait accompli. Synod was presented with including chromosomes, gonads, The Standing Committee, before another version of a draft sex hormones, or genitals that, Synod met, voted to provide $1m policy which aims to raise more according to the UN Office of the from the Diocesan Endowment money from parishes where High Commissioner for Human (money inherited by the Diocese they have ‘excess wealth’ from Rights, "do not fit the typical from past generations) to support income from ‘property’, now definitions for male or female the media campaign by The defined as ‘net’ income from bodies". One can see the Coalition for Marriage for the buildings and land (leases, difficulty the drafters have - how ‘no’ vote on same sex marriage. licenses and/or sales), income does their theological stance deal In Synod there were two from investments and income with the reality of Intersex failed attempts to have this matter from businesses run by a people? debated. Archdeacon Deryck parish. A truly enlightened moment Howell moved that (in summary) “This started back in 2012/13 occurred especially in the Standing Committee be directed when Standing Committee asked context of where this Diocese to bring an Ordinance to next work be done to get a more has come from. An amendment Synod which would require transparent and equitable to the Principles was put forward Standing Committee to obtain approach to requiring parishes - in debate which declared, in Synod approval, in future, to any with significant sales or leases of summary, that ‘transitioning’ proposals for special drawdowns property and land - to contribute (changing your biological sex to on the Diocesan Endowment, to the Diocesan funds or accord with your internal sense of other than for asset acquisition organisations. The current system identity) is a sin. Two speakers, purposes, using, eg, electronic is that each parish negotiates an one being the Reverend Andrew voting between sessions. There Ordinance (a binding legal Katay, stated this was a very was no debate as a motion from contract) with Standing dangerous proposition. What right the floor that ‘the (above) motion Committee for this purpose. do we have to declare a matter a not be put’ received majority These Ordinances are not based sin when there is no such assent, immediately stifling the on any agreed guidelines or scriptural basis? Dr Mark matter. standards and so significant Thompson (Principal of Moore The second motion from variations between parishes exist, College) spoke to the contrary but Professor Bernard Stewart, St and there is no confidence that he failed to convince the majority Georges’ Paddington, sought these variations are fair or of this normally highly Synod’s endorsement of the $1m reasonable. conservative Synod. The decision by Standing Committee, amendment was voted down. Biblical principles (St Paul) of to be resolved via a secret ballot. sharing one’s wealth have A revised set of Principles will A clever move as a secret justified the growth of this draft come to next Synod and all ballot achieves two things; no proposal to all income sources 2 described above. It is regrettable alternative was to scrub the FOLLOWING THE that St Paul did not have the proposal, with all its complexities ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE foresight to define what might be and inequities, and raise RESULT OF THE POSTAL ‘net’ income; he did say a additional funds via a ‘parish SURVEY ON SAME SEX community should not be “left cost recovery’ method – this is a MARRIAGE, hard pressed” as a result of well-worn, simple-to-administer Archbishop Glen Davies sharing. Net receipts of less than path in this Diocese, equitable in commented on the Sydney $120,000 have been exempted; as its approach. Synod did not grant Anglican Website (15 November) one speaker highlighted, here him leave to debate an alternative. comes the ‘creative “The Chief Statistician reported Clearly the drafters and Standing accounting….’ the participation rate of nigh on Committee are tired of the matter 80 percent of the voting public of There were strong views from remaining unresolved and Australia and of course the results affected parishes about the lack of proposed that, after debate in were a clear mandate for the YES reasonableness in restricting very Synod, Standing Committee campaign with just over 60 tightly what might be allowable would finalise an Ordinance on percent voting YES and just deductions before ‘net’ or the matter, for implementation in under 40 percent voting No.