Subject: Amendment to A052

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

Be it resolved that this General Synod:  

Amend Resolution A052 as follows:

Renumber paragraphs 2, 3 and 4 as paragraphs 3, 4 and 5, and add as paragraph 2:

2. Add the following at the end of the Preface to Canon XXI:

9. Faithful members of the Anglican Church of Canada have different understandings and teachings about the nature of marriage.  Some accept that the essence of marriage is between a man and a woman; others accept same sex marriage.  Members are entitled to hold, teach and exercise either view provided they recognize and respect that others may with integrity hold, teach and exercise a different view.  All Anglicans accept that marriage is a sign of God’s redeeming purpose to unite all things in Christ. We are committed to graceful walking together in a spirit of generosity as part of the same Christian community.

 10. General Synod recognizes that Indigenous communities have particular understandings about the nature of marriage as well as their own ways of making decisions—both of which are protected in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples—and will continue to discern whether same sex marriage would be acceptable in their communities.

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  

The amendment is proposed by the Council of General Synod as a result of the intentional listening process over the last triennium about the proposed amendment to the Marriage Canon.

PROCEDURE FOR ADOPTION (G)

In the normal course, an ordinary motion must be passed by a majority of the members of General Synod present and voting together. 

Six members of General Synod may, prior to the question being put, require a vote by Orders, with a majority of each Order being necessary to pass. If a question passes on a Vote by Orders, any six members (two from each of three different dioceses) may immediately before the next item of

business require a vote to be taken by dioceses. A motion passes if a majority (or a tie) of dioceses vote in favour. 

Source: Sections 4 and 5 of the Declaration of Principles and sections 18, 19 and 20 of the Rules of Order and Procedure.

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.