GENERAL SYNOD
FEBRUARY GROUP OF SESSIONS 2005
of which notice has been given under Standing Orders 105-109 to be taken on Tuesday 15 February 2005. The question marked with an asterisk is for written answer.
INDEX
QUESTIONS 1-9 SECRETARY GENERAL
Parish church cathedrals: churchwardens’ responsibilities Q1
Church of England: legislation without Synod debate Q2
Churches ‘out of communion’: reception of communion Q3
Resolutions A and B Q4
EU Directive: amendment of law Q5
Robin Stevens: appointment of successor Q6
Church House clergy staff: assistance with housing cost Q7
Cutting out administrative duplication Q8
Church House staff: stress and hardship Q9
QUESTIONS 10-15 CLERK TO THE SYNOD
Tsunami victims: reflection and prayer Q10
Tsunami appeal fund: donations Q11
Sessions in London and York: estimated cost per day Q12
Non-speaking Synod members Q13
York University: accounting procedures Q14
York Group of Sessions: fairly traded tea and coffee Q15
QUESTIONS 16-19 BOARD OF EDUCATION
National Youth Strategy: monitoring of implementation Q16
Church of England Youth Council: resources Q17
New secondary schools Q18
Synod members employed in higher education Q19
QUESTIONS 20-21 CATHEDRALS AND CHURCH BUILDINGS DIVISION
Repairs to church buildings: level of grant since 2002 Q20
Building Faith in the Future: progress of discussions Q21
QUESTIONS 22-33 MINISTRY DIVISION
Lowering the average age of ordination Q22
Pioneer missional leaders: identification and training Q23
Residential theological colleges as a national resource Q24
Course staff: uncertainties and anxieties Q25
Training institutions: grievance and disciplinary procedures Q26
Registered same-sex partners: pension rights Q27
Length of incumbencies ending in 1980 and in 2004 Q28
Clergy ‘day off’: guidelines for frequency and use Q29
Bishops: Section 23 rights and common tenure Q30
Pension Scheme: review of conditions and benefits Q31
Readers employed in higher education Q32
* Sheffield figures for 2002 Q33 *
QUESTIONS 34-53 MISSION AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COUNCIL
Mission-Shaped Church: status Q34
Youth Evangelism Fund: money raised Q35
Youth Evangelism Fund: pilot project Q36
Factors militating against church attendance Q37
Guantanamo and Belmarsh detainees: release and rights Q38
European Constitution: adequate reference to Christianity Q39
Future of Europe: voices from ethnic communities Q40
Incitement to religious hatred: advice to bishops Q41
Interpretation of ‘stirring up religious hatred’ Q42
Incitement to religious hatred: representations Q43
‘Control orders’ and ‘house arrest’: discussions Q44
‘Farm to fork’ tracking: implications for the Church Q45
Sharing God’s Planet: interpretation of cover Q46
Insecure electricity supply: social consequences Q47
Changes in tax credit system: representations Q48
Church of England contribution to relief efforts Q49
The state of Britain’s weekend Q50
Sexual abstinence Q51
Attacks on Christians: representations Q52
Fresh expressions of church: involvement of PWM agencies Q53
QUESTION 54 BUSINESS COMMITTEE
Joint meeting with the Methodist Conference Q54
QUESTION 55 CROWN NOMINATIONS COMMISSION
Possible candidates: training and diocese Q55
QUESTIONS 56-58 LEGAL ADVISORY COMMISSION
Overseas Clergy Measure: application Q56
Irish, Scottish and Welsh women bishops: ministry in England Q57
Submerged churches: ecclesiastical jurisdiction Q58
QUESTION 59 LITURGICAL COMMISSION
Gloria in Excelsis: Greek text Q59
QUESTIONS 60-61 CHURCH COMMISSIONERS
Changes in DEFRA regulations: effect on value of assets Q60
New benefices: renaming of parishes Q61
QUESTION 62 PENSIONS BOARD
Manormead home: closure for refurbishment Q62
QUESTIONS 63-68 ARCHBISHOPS’ COUNCIL
Jerry Springer – the Opera Q63-65
Drug misuse: strategy Q66
Cathedrals Measure: review Q67
Sexuality: termination of office and discrimination Q68
QUESTIONS 69-81 HOUSE OF BISHOPS
Issues in Human Sexuality: status as definitive and binding Q69
Lesbian and gay clergy and members: honesty and reprisals Q70
Sexual impropriety Q71
Bishops: Section 23 rights and common tenure Q72
British National Party: prohibition of membership Q73
Clergy Discipline (Doctrine): reintroduction of proposals Q74
Ministry of healing: progress report Q75
Communion by Extension: review Q76
Differing understandings of episcopacy and forum for resolving Q77
Civil partnerships: effect on the clergy’s office Q78
Church recognition of same-sex relationships Q79
Civil partnerships: disciplinary proceedings Q80
Jerry Springer – the Opera: report to the Synod Q81
SECRETARY GENERAL
Dr Edmund Marshall (Wakefield) to ask the Secretary General:
Q1 What statutory guidance is there for defining the roles and responsibilities of churchwardens in a Church of England cathedral which is also a parish church?
Mr Paul Boyd-Lee (Salisbury) to ask the Secretary General:
Q2 Is it permissible for Parliament to pass legislation directly affecting the work of the Church of England, without the General Synod debating the matter beforehand?
The Revd Hugh Lee (Oxford) to ask the Secretary General:
Q3 If a diocese or province of the Anglican Communion decides that it is ‘out of Communion’ with the Church of England, are its members still free to receive Communion in a Church of England church and are members of the Church of England still free to receive Communion in churches of that diocese or province?
The Revd Canon Cynthia Dowdle (Liverpool) to ask the Secretary General:
Q4 Since the Priests (Ordination of Women) Measure 1993 came into force:
(a) How many PCCs have passed Resolution A or B; and
(b) How many PCCs have rescinded Resolution A or B?
The Revd Canon Penny Driver (Ripon & Leeds) to ask the Secretary General:
Q5 In the House of Bishops’ paper HB(05)M1 (“Summary of Decisions”), item no.14 refers to the House giving its approval in principle to a way of amending the law to address a legal difficulty which would otherwise arise when a new EU directive comes into force in October. Please could we know what this amendment is, how it will be done and why?
Mr Colin Slater (Southwell) to ask the Secretary General:
Q6 In view of the pending retirement of Robin Stevens, who has served with distinction in the important role of National Stewardship Officer, will the Secretary General indicate whether procedures are in place for the early appointment of his successor, so that this vital work can be carried forward without undue interruption?
The Revd Canon Timothy Barker (Lincoln) to ask the Secretary General:
Q7 What are the current arrangements for assistance with the cost of housing for clergy employed at Church House?
Mr Gavin Oldham (Oxford) to ask the Secretary General:
Q8 What initiatives have been agreed, and if applicable set in motion thus far, resulting from the work of the group of diocesan secretaries and others established to cut out administrative duplication throughout the Church, and what overall annual savings are achievable once they are in place?
Mrs Dorothy Chatterley (Carlisle) to ask the Secretary General:
Q9 Since all Synod members greatly value the help, support and general assistance given by the devoted staff of Church House, what efforts are being made in any restructuring or reorganization to avoid stress and hardship?
CLERK TO THE SYNOD
Mrs Anne Clarke (Bath & Wells) to ask the Clerk to the Synod:
Q10 Will time be set aside during the February Group of Sessions for reflection and prayer for the victims of the Asian Tsunami?
Mrs Anne Clarke (Bath & Wells) to ask the Clerk to the Synod:
Q11 Will there be an opportunity for members of the General Synod to make donations to the Tsunami Appeal Fund to demonstrate their Christian concern for the survivors?
Mr Stuart Emmason (Manchester) to ask the Clerk to the Synod:
Q12 What is the estimated total cost per day of holding the General Synod in
(a) London; and
(b) York?
The Revd Karen Gorham (Canterbury) to ask the Clerk to the Synod:
Q13 What percentage of male and what percentage of female members of the General Synod have not yet spoken in any debate in this quinquennium?
Mrs Mary Bordass (Salisbury) to ask the Clerk to the Synod:
Q14 Can the Clerk to the Synod confirm that York University is satisfied that it has adequate accounting procedures in place in respect of food and drink ordered for fringe meetings of the Synod so as to eliminate any possibility that bills presented fail accurately to reflect what was actually ordered and consumed?
Mrs Viviane Hall (Oxford) to ask the Clerk to the Synod:
Q15 Noting with pleasure that Crown Catering are again serving Fairly Traded tea and coffee here in Church House, and following the suggestion in the July debate on Trade Justice, will the Clerk tell us what steps have been or will be taken to encourage York University to provide and serve Fairly Traded tea and coffee in the bedrooms and dining rooms and on the concourse during meetings of the General Synod?
BOARD OF EDUCATION
The Bishop of Portsmouth to answer as Chairman of the Board of Education
Mrs Anne Foreman (Guildford) to ask the Chairman of the Board of Education:
Q16 What progress has been made with monitoring the implementation of the National Youth Strategy?
Mr Stuart Emmason (Manchester) to ask the Chairman of the Board of Education:
Q17 Has the Board of Education considered how it (or some other body) might properly resource the Church of England Youth Council?
Canon Peter Bruinvels (Guildford) to ask the Chairman of the Board of Education:
Q18 Since the publication of The Way Ahead, how many new church secondary schools have been created; how many are in the pipeline for the next 12-18 months and how many dioceses are involved?
Dr Philip Giddings (Oxford) to ask the Chairman of the Board of Education:
Q19 Is the Board aware how many members of the General Synod are employed as members of staff, other than chaplains, of higher education institutions in England and what contribution they make to the Christian mission and ministry in those institutions?
CATHEDRALS AND CHURCH BUILDINGS DIVISION
The Bishop of London to answer as Chairman of the Cathedrals and Church Buildings Division
Mr Roy Thompson (York) to ask the Chairman of the Cathedrals and Church Buildings Division:
Q20 Given the continuing increase in the costs of repairs to church buildings, what level of grant has been offered in each year since my PMM and the subsequent General Synod resolution in November 2002 calling on the Archbishops’ Council to press for an increase in the level of aid for repair of church buildings, especially under the scheme administered by English Heritage?
Mr Roy Thompson (York) to ask the Chairman of the Cathedrals and Church Buildings Division:
Q21 What progress has been made in discussions with Government and other agencies following the publication of the document Building Faith in the Future?
MINISTRY DIVISION
The Bishop of Chelmsford to answer as Chairman of the Ministry Division
The Revd David Butterfield (Lichfield) to ask the Chairman of the Ministry Division:
Q22 Given that “the average age of ordination for stipendiary ministry in the Church of England is now around 40 years” (Mission-Shaped Church, page 77), what steps is the Ministry Division taking to encourage and facilitate the lowering of the average age of ordination to the stipendiary ministry?
The Revd John Cook (London) to ask the Chairman of the Ministry Division:
Q23 What progress is being made, and funding provided, in the identification and training of pioneer missional leaders as recommended in Mission-Shaped Church?
The Revd John Cook (London) to ask the Chairman of the Ministry Division:
Q24 What procedures have been put in place to recognize the distinctive and strategic place of the residential theological colleges as a national resource for the Church of England?
The Ven Peter Bradley (Liverpool) to ask the Chairman of the Ministry Division:
Q25 In the light of the possible consequences for staff of the Northern Ordination Course, and other Courses, as a result of the recommendations of the Hind Report, can the Chairman inform members of this Synod of the support and consultation measures that have been put in place, or will be put in place, to address the personal uncertainties and anxieties of those most directly concerned?
The Revd Andrew Watson (London) to ask the Chairman of the Ministry Division:
Q26 During the General Synod debate on the report on Part I of the Review of Clergy Terms of Service, Professor McClean indicated the Ministry Division’s willingness to take up the question of whether each of our theological training institutions has a proper procedure for grievance and disciplinary issues, in accordance with best HR practice. How has this commitment been advanced since that debate?
The Bishop of Ripon and Leeds to answer as Chairman of the Deployment, Remuneration and Conditions of Service Committee
The Revd Paul Collier (Southwark) to ask the Chairman of the Ministry Division:
Q27 Will the Church of England follow the example of the Scottish Episcopal Church and commit itself to giving pension rights to registered same-sex partners of clergy equal to those enjoyed by clergy spouses when the new law comes into effect in November of this year?
The Revd Michael Norman (Newcastle) to ask the Chairman of the Ministry Division:
Q28 For how long, on average, had those clergy with the freehold who changed jobs in 1980 held their previous position, and what is the corresponding figure for 2004 (or the most recent year for which data is available)?
Mrs Mary Judkins (Wakefield) to ask the Chairman of the Ministry Division:
Q29 Given that many lay members of the Church have employment for 5, sometimes 6, days in a week, and then spend their seventh at church, also using their evenings for church business too, what guidelines are there for clergy for the frequency and use of the ‘day off’?
Mr Adrian Greenwood (Southwark) to ask the Chairman of the Ministry Division:
Q30 In relation to recommendation (xxiii)(b) in GS 1564 (page 52), can an indication be given as to how soon the Archbishops of both Provinces might be in a position to write to each bishop inviting him to make a declaration in writing to the effect that he wished to have s.23 rights and transfer to the common tenure system?
Dr Graham Campbell (Chester) to ask the Chairman of the Ministry Division:
Q31 In view of the discussions which took place at the December meeting of the Regional Finance Chairmen and Secretaries regarding the contributions payable in respect of the Church of England Funded Pension Scheme, does the Division now have any plans to carry out a limited review of the conditions and benefits of this Pension Scheme to mitigate the financial impact on the dioceses?
The Bishop of Carlisle to answer as Chairman of the Central Readers Council
Dr Philip Giddings (Oxford) to ask the Chairman of the Ministry Division:
Q32 Is the Ministry Division aware, or able to estimate, how many licensed Readers are employed as members of staff of higher education institutions in England?
For written reply
The Revd Michael Norman (Newcastle) to ask the Chairman of the Ministry Division:
*Q33 What are the Sheffield figures for each Diocese in 2005 and how many Dioceses are above and how many below these figures?
MISSION AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COUNCIL
Dr Philip Giddings to answer as Chairman of the Mission and Public Affairs Council
Mrs Linda Jones (Liverpool) to ask the Chairman of the Mission and Public Affairs Council:
Q34 What status do the contents of the report Mission-Shaped Church have in the context of mission in the Church of England?
Mr Andrew Presland (Peterborough) to ask the Chairman of the Mission and Public Affairs Council:
Q35 How much money has so far been raised by the Youth Evangelism Fund, and what percentage does that amount represent of the total that was originally intended to be raised?
Mrs Anne Foreman (Guildford) to ask the Chairman of the Mission and Public Affairs Council:
Q36 What progress has been made by the pilot project carried out for the Youth Evangelism Fund?
Miss Prudence Dailey (Oxford) to ask the Chairman of the Mission and Public Affairs Council:
Q37 Is the Chairman of the Mission and Public Affairs Council aware of the publication on www.churchsurvey.co.uk of the results of a survey into factors militating against church attendance, which elicited 14,000 responses nationwide; and what consideration has been given, or is planned to be given, to the recommendations arising from the survey?
The Ven Mark Bryant (Coventry) to ask the Chairman of the Mission and Public Affairs Council:
Q38 While noting all that the Mission and Public Affairs Council and the Bishops have done since the July Group of Sessions in working to secure the release of the four British Guantanamo detainees, will the Mission and Public Affairs Council indicate what it will be doing in the coming months to support efforts to secure the release of the remaining Guantanamo detainees, to ensure that those still detained in Belmarsh under the Terrorism Act are released, to protect the right to due process and fair trial on the basis of evidence laid before the courts and to resist further erosion of civil liberties?
The Rt Revd Dr Michael Nazir-Ali (Bishop of Rochester) to ask the Chairman of the Mission and Public Affairs Council:
Q39 Is the Church of England continuing to pursue the question of adequate reference to Christianity in the European Constitution?
The Rt Revd Dr Michael Nazir-Ali (Bishop of Rochester) to ask the Chairman of the Mission and Public Affairs Council:
Q40 What is the Church doing to ensure that voices from different ethnic communities are heard in its own councils and in Europe generally regarding the future direction of Europe?
The Bishop of Southwark to answer as Vice-Chairman for Public Affairs
Mrs Isobel Burnley (Chester) to ask the Chairman of the Mission and Public Affairs Council:
Q41 In view of the reported disquiet among Christian lawyers (Times, 28.12.04) and others about the proposals for new offences of incitement to religious hatred contained in the Serious Organised Crime and Police Bill, could we be assured that the Mission and Public Affairs Council will advise bishops to vote against such unnecessary proposals?
Mr Andrew Presland (Peterborough) to ask the Chairman of the Mission and Public Affairs Council:
Q42 Is the Mission and Public Affairs Council totally satisfied that:
(a) the sensitive and thoughtful sharing of the gospel; and
(b) making legitimate criticisms of activities of the Church of England
could not be regarded by a court as “stirring up religious hatred” under clause 122 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Bill?
Mr Paul Boyd-Lee (Salisbury) to ask the Chairman of the Mission and Public Affairs Council:
Q43 In view of moves to repeal national laws relating to blasphemy, what representation has been made to the Government regarding incitement to religious hatred, for which provision is made by Clause 122 of the Serious Organized Crime and Police Bill?
The Revd Canon Michael Webb (Newcastle) to ask the Chairman of the Mission and Public Affairs Council:
Q44 What plans has the Mission and Public Affairs Council for engaging Her Majesty’s Government in discussions about the proposed “control orders” and “house arrest” to ensure that measures designed to deter international terrorism do not damage historic principles of justice and basic human rights?
Dr Graham Campbell (Chester) to ask the Chairman of the Mission and Public Affairs Council:
Q45 According to press reports (on 01/02/2005), the new European Union law technically known as Article 18 of the General Food Law (effective from 1 January 2005) requires all organizations including charities to track and record all food from “farm to fork” and to retain such records for up to 5 years. Has the Mission and Public Affairs Council considered the implications of this law as it will affect the Church, eg Harvest Festival services, and if so is it willing to issue guidance to the parishes?
Dr John Bull (Newcastle) to ask the Chairman of the Mission and Public Affairs Council:
Q46 Is the Mission and Public Affairs Council aware that the picture of a steel worker in front of molten steel on the cover of the report Sharing God’s Planet could be interpreted as a picture of a Chernobyl-type situation and lead readers to conclude that the Church of England is fearful of nuclear power generation?
Mrs Dorothy Chatterley (Carlisle) to ask the Chairman of the Mission and Public Affairs Council:
Q47 Since, in recent winters, the margin of power station capacity over peak electricity demand has fallen from 20% to 11%, what action is being taken by the Council for Mission and Public Affairs to impress upon Her Majesty’s Government the need to be ready to alleviate the social consequences of an insecure electricity supply?
The Revd Peter Spiers (Liverpool) to ask the Chairman of the Mission and Public Affairs Council:
Q48 What representations are being made to the Government about the Chancellor’s announcement of changes in the tax credit system from April 2005 which would financially disadvantage some two-parent families so that they would be better off financially living apart?
Mr Gavin Oldham (Oxford) to ask the Chairman of the Mission and Public Affairs Council:
Q49 Does a central record exist or, if not, could one be established and monitored, of the Church of England’s contribution (at all levels) to (a) relief efforts such as that for the Tsunami disaster; and (b) ongoing aid projects in terms of both (i) the physical and (ii) financial input?
The Revd John Hartley (Bradford) to ask the Chairman of the Mission and Public Affairs Council:
Q50 What representations are being made to the Government over the state of Britain’s weekend given that in recent research by Keep Time for Children it was discovered that working at weekends had an adverse impact on family life in over one third of families, given that one parent is regularly working over the entire weekend?
The Revd John Hartley (Bradford) to ask the Chairman of the Mission and Public Affairs Council:
Q51 Considering that the UK has the second highest rate of teenage pregnancy, birth and abortion in the industrialized world and has seen a steep rise in sexually transmitted diseases in the last decade, does the Mission and Public Affairs Council consider that the ‘safe sex’ message of the last 30 years has failed and that, in addition, we now need to have an ‘abstinence’ message?
The Bishop of Bristol to answer as Chairman of the Partnership for World Mission
Mrs Margaret Brown (Chichester) to ask the Chairman of the Mission and Public Affairs Council:
Q52 What representations are being made to Her Majesty’s Government about unwarranted attacks on Christians in certain overseas countries?
Mr Ian Smith (York) to ask the Chairman of the Mission and Public Affairs Council:
Q53 What involvement do the PWM agencies have in stimulating “fresh expressions of church” and how are they using their global experience to inform this?
BUSINESS COMMITTEE
The Revd Dr Richard Turnbull to answer as Chairman of the Business Committee
The Revd Simon Bessant (Blackburn) to ask the Chairman of the Business Committee:
Q54 In the light of the commitments that the Church of England has entered into through its support of the Anglican-Methodist Covenant, does the Business Committee have any plans, for the next quinquennium of the General Synod, for a joint meeting with the Methodist Conference?
CROWN NOMINATIONS COMMISSION
The Archbishop of Canterbury to answer as Chairman of the Crown Nominations Commission
The Revd Peter Spiers (Liverpool) to ask the Chairman of the Crown Nominations Commission:
Q55 Given the statistical analysis provided of those applying for a position on the Archbishops’ Council, can General Synod members have a similar statistical analysis of those recorded in data held on behalf of the Commission as being possible candidates for nomination as diocesan bishop, including (a) where they were trained and (b) the diocese in which they are currently serving?
LEGAL ADVISORY COMMISSION
Professor David McClean to answer as Chairman of the Legal Advisory Commission
Mrs Christina Rees (St Albans) to ask the Chairman of the Legal Advisory Commission:
Q56 Has the Legal Advisory Commission considered the application of the Overseas and Other Clergy (Ministry and Ordination) Measure 1967 to those ordained by male bishops who were themselves ordained to the priesthood by female bishops and if not, would it do so now?
Mr David Warner (St Albans) to ask the Chairman of the Legal Advisory Commission:
Q57 Has the Legal Advisory Commission considered whether, when and if women are consecrated bishops in Ireland, Scotland and Wales, they and those ordained by them will be free to exercise their ministries in the Church of England without requiring permission from the relevant archbishop under the Overseas and Other Clergy (Ministry and Ordination) Measure 1967?
Mr Peter Smith (St Edmundsbury & Ipswich) to ask the Chairman of the Legal Advisory Commission:
Q58 In view of the proposal to erect structures in Sole Bay off the coast of Suffolk, has the Legal Advisory Commission considered, or does it intend to consider, the question of whether former sites of churches which have been submerged under the sea continue to be subject to faculty or other ecclesiastical jurisdiction?
LITURGICAL COMMISSION
The Bishop of Salisbury to answer as Chairman of the Liturgical Commission
Mr John Ashwin (Chichester) to ask the Chairman of the Liturgical Commission:
Q59 In the last Synod meeting in York, the Chairman of the Liturgical Commission, the Bishop of Salisbury, replied to a supplementary question of mine. I had asked if the Commission was aware and content that the translation of the Gloria used in Common Worship is a shortened paraphrase of the Latin original, unlike the version in the Book of Common Prayer which is a faithful and memorable rendering of the Latin. The Bishop replied that the Commission was indeed aware of that but dealt not only with the translation of Latin texts but also with ‘the Greek texts which precede them’. Where is the Greek text of the Gloria to be found?
CHURCH COMMISSIONERS
Mr Andreas Whittam Smith to answer as First Church Estates Commissioner
The Revd Canon Timothy Barker (Lincoln) to ask the Church Commissioners:
Q60 What is the likely effect on the value of the Church Commissioners’ and dioceses’ land assets as a result of the change in the regulations for the registration with DEFRA for financial support of farmers under the mid-term review?
Lady Brentford to answer as Third Church Estates Commissioner
The Revd Canon Stephen Evans (Peterborough) to ask the Church Commissioners:
Q61 How common is it for dioceses to request the renaming of parishes within a new benefice by reference to the dedication of the parish church rather than by reference to the name of the town or village when drawing up a Pastoral Scheme or Order and what are the implications?
PENSIONS BOARD
Mr Allan Bridgewater to answer as Chairman of the Pensions Board
The Revd Canon Stephen Evans (Peterborough) to ask the Chairman of the Pensions Board:
Q62 Why were people high on the waiting list for the Pensions Board’s residential home at Manormead at Hindhead told in September that they would be accommodated by the end of the year, and in early January told that the home would be closed for refurbishment for the next two-and-a-half years and that they would not be accommodated?
ARCHBISHOPS’ COUNCIL
The Revd Canon Bob Baker to answer on behalf of the Chairman
Mr Nigel Holmes (Carlisle) to ask the Chairman of the Archbishops’ Council:
Q63 In view of the 50,000 concerns expressed before the broadcast on BBC2 of Jerry Springer – the Opera and 3,000 following the transmission, what exchanges have taken place between the Church of England and the BBC and Ofcom over editorial judgement concerning standards of taste and decency and causing offence to many viewers?
Mrs Faith Hanson (Derby) to ask the Chairman of the Archbishops’ Council:
Q64 Following BBC2’s broadcast of Jerry Springer – the Opera, what representations have been made to the BBC and/or Ofcom by the Communications Unit, with regard to vile language and blasphemy?
Mrs Margaret Brown (Chichester) to ask the Chairman of the Archbishops’ Council:
Q65 Did the Archbishops’ Council express its deep concern to the BBC and to Ofcom about Jerry Springer – the Opera on BBC2 and what has been the outcome?
Dr Philip Giddings to answer on behalf on the Chairman
Professor Helen Leathard (Blackburn) to ask the Chairman of the Archbishops’ Council:
Q66 In view of the strong support for the Blackburn motion on Drug Misuse at the July 2004 Group of Sessions of the General Synod and the lack of reference to discussion of it in the recent report of its business, what priority is the Archbishops’ Council giving to consideration of the Church of England’s strategy to help with this significant social problem?
Mr Ian Garden to answer on behalf of the Chairman
Mrs Christine McMullen (Derby) to ask the Chairman of the Archbishops’ Council:
Q67 As the Cathedrals Measure has now been in place for some years, will the Council consider whether it is now timely to review and monitor how it is working?
The Bishop of Chelmsford to answer on behalf of the Chairman
The Revd Stephen Coles (London) to ask the Chairman of the Archbishops’ Council:
Q68 Given that the Church of England seems gradually to be bringing the position of the clergy into closer line with that of other comparable professions and secular legislation in general, how are we to justify continuing to demand different procedures when there are issues regarding termination of office and discrimination on the grounds of sexuality?
HOUSE OF BISHOPS
The Bishop of Chelmsford to answer as Chairman of the Bishops’ Committee for Ministry
Dr John Bull (Newcastle) to ask the Chairman of the House of Bishops:
Q69 Is the Chairman of the House of Bishops content that the document Issues in Human Sexuality has been afforded the status of a definitive and binding statement of Church of England practice and teaching by its inclusion in A summary of the new criteria for the discernment of calling to ministry in the Church of England and the requirement that candidates submit to its teaching?
The Revd Paul Collier (Southwark) to ask the Chairman of the House of Bishops:
Q70 In order to enable the Church to listen to the experience of lesbian and gay clergy and church members, will the House of Bishops make a declaration that no-one will face reprisals for speaking honestly about their experience?
Mr Alasdair Baxter (Southwell) to ask the Chairman of the House of Bishops:
Q71 Has the House given any recent consideration to the question of why the Church of England regards matters of sexual impropriety much more stringently than other forms of irregular behaviour?
Mr Adrian Greenwood (Southwark) to ask the Chairman of the House of Bishops:
Q72 In relation to recommendation (xxiv) of GS 1564 (page 53), when does the House of Bishops plan to put this matter on its agenda so that it can resolve to recommend all bishops to respond positively to the Archbishops’ invitation at (xxiii)(b)?
The Revd Simon Bessant (Blackburn) to ask the Chairman of the House of Bishops:
Q73 In July 2004 the Association of Chief Police Officers formally adopted a national policy of prohibiting police officers from being members of the British National Party (under the provisions of Regulation 6, Police Regulations 2003, Police (Conduct) Regulations 1999 and the Police Support Staff Conditions of Service). Does the House of Bishops intend to follow the excellent example of ACPO by creating a similar policy in regard to ordinands and licensed clergy?
The Bishop of Southwark to answer as a member of the House’s Standing Committee
Canon Peter Bruinvels (Guildford) to ask the Chairman of the House of Bishops:
Q74 Following the failure in July 2004 of the motion calling for legislation to give effect to the recommendations contained in the House of Bishops’ Clergy Discipline (Doctrine) Report, what plans are there to re-introduce those proposals?
Professor Helen Leathard (Blackburn) to ask the Chairman of the House of Bishops:
Q75 In view of the considerable time which has elapsed since the publication of A Time to Heal (2000), when can we expect a report on the progress made in development of the Church of England’s ministry of healing in response to that valuable and substantial resource?
The Bishop of Rochester to answer as a member of the House’s Theological Group
The Revd Moira Astin (Oxford) to ask the Chairman of the House of Bishops:
Q76 On 9 July 2000 at the debate on Public Worship with Communion by Extension, the Chairman, the Archbishop of York, assured the then Bishop of Maidstone that the House of Bishops would conduct a review of Communion by Extension and report its findings to the Synod in five years (Report of Proceedings, Vol.31, No.2, pp 258-259). What are the plans of the House of Bishops to complete this review?
The Bishop of Chichester to answer as Chairman of the Faith and Order Advisory Group
The Revd David Banting (Chelmsford) to ask the Chairman of the House of Bishops:
Q77 Has the House considered whether the Rochester Report in general and the Ordinal revision in particular have revealed differing understandings of the nature and significance of episcopacy within the Church of England and, if they have, which is the forum where these questions might be appropriately addressed and even further resolved?
The Bishop of Norwich to answer as Chairman of the House’s Civil Partnerships Group
The Revd Stephen Coles (London) to ask the Chairman of the House of Bishops:
Q78 If a member of the clergy decides to contract a civil partnership with a member of the same gender once this becomes possible in the foreseeable future, how will this affect their office within the Church of England?
The Revd Anthony Braddick-Southgate (Southwark) to ask the Chairman of the House of Bishops:
Q79 What advice has the House received regarding how the registration of civil partnerships will compel the Church of England to recognize same-sex relationships for the purposes of employment practices and occasional offices such as funerals?
The Revd Anthony Braddick-Southgate (Southwark) to ask the Chairman of the House of Bishops:
Q80 Has the House of Bishops come to a mind or given any guidance on whether clergy who register a civil partnership will be subject to any disciplinary proceedings?
The Bishop of Manchester to answer as Chairman of the Religion in Broadcasting Group
Mr David Kidd (Carlisle) to ask the Chairman of the House of Bishops:
Q81 Will the House nominate a representative to see Jerry Springer – the Opera and report back to the Synod?