Subject: Motion for Second Reading of Amendment to Canon XXI (On Marriage in the Church) from GS 2016 A051-R2

Moved By: Ms. Cynthia Haines Turner
Seconded By: The Very Rev. Peter Wall

Be it resolved that this General Synod:  

Give Second Reading to GS 2016 Resolution A051-R2, which reads as follows:

1. Declare that Canon XXI (On Marriage in the Church) applies to all persons who are duly qualified by civil law to enter into marriage.

2. Make the following consequential amendments to Canon XXI:

a. in paragraph 2 of the Preface, delete the words “of the union of man and woman in”;

b. in paragraph 4 of the Preface, substitute the words “the parties to the marriage” for the “husband and wife”;

c. in section 16 a) of the Regulations, substitute “the parties to the marriage” for “a man and a woman”;

d. in section 17 b) of the Regulations, substitute “the parties to the marriage” for “husband and wife”.

3. Add the following to section 11 of the Regulations

e) A minister may only solemnize a marriage between persons of the same sex if authorized by the diocesan bishop.

4. Declare that this resolution shall come into effect on the first day of January after being passed by General Synod at Second Reading.

Source: Governance Working Group

Submitted By: Governance Working Group            

Does this motion contain within it any financial implications?      Yes     No

If yes, has the General Synod Expenditures Committee considered the implications?   Yes    No

EXPLANATORY NOTE/BACKGROUND

General Synod 2016 gave First Reading to GS 2016 A051-R2.

PROCEDURE FOR ADOPTION (D) 

Section 11 c) i) of the Declaration of Principles requires the enactment or amendment of all canons dealing with doctrine, worship or discipline to be passed by a two-thirds majority of each Order voting at two successive sessions of General Synod.

Section 11 e) of the Declaration of Principles permits General Synod to adopt an amendment at Second Reading which would have been in order at First Reading.