General Synod
What is the General Synod?
The General Synod is the national assembly of the Church of England. It came into being in 1970 under the Synodical Government Measure 1969, replacing an earlier body known as the Church Assembly. It continues a tradition of synodical government which, in England, has its origins in
the medieval period. It has powers in the following areas:
Legislation by Measure
To pass Measures which, if approved by resolution of each House of Parliament, receive Royal Assent and thereby become part of the law of England
Legislation by Canon
To legislate by Canon, subject to Royal Licence and Assent
Relations with other Churches
To regulate the Church of England's relations with other churches and to make provisions for matters relating to worship and doctrine. It can make provision by Act of Synod, regulation or other instrument in cases where legislation by or under a Measure or Canon is not necessary
Liturgy and Doctrinal Assent
To approve, amend, continue or discontinue liturgies and make provision for any matter (except the publication of banns of marriage) to which rubrics of the Book of Common Prayer relate and to ensure that the forms of service contained in the Book of Common Prayer continue to be available for use in the Church of England. The Synod also decides the form in which ministers and officers of the Church of England are required to assent to the doctrine of the Church of England (the Declaration of Assent).
Deliberation
To consider any other matters of religious or public interest
Finance
To approve (or reject) the central church budget each year.
Recent items relating to General Synod are shown below:
October 2012
Women Bishops: Enough Waiting – The Bishop of Willesden’s message to General Synod
25 October 2012
In a video message about the legislation for women bishops the Bishop of Willesden, the Rt Revd Pete…
Women Bishops: Enough Waiting –Rebecca Swinson’s message to General Synod
23 October 2012
In a video message for the Archbishop’s campaign to support the current legislation for women bishops,…
Women Bishops: Enough Waiting – The Bishop of Chelmsford’s message to General Synod
23 October 2012
Joining the Archbishop in his campaign to support the current legislation for women bishops, the Bishop…
Women Bishops: Enough Waiting
19 October 2012
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has begun a campaign to persuade General Synod members…
July 2012
Archbishop's sermon at York Minster
8 July 2012
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, preached the sermon at the General Synod Eucharist in…
Archbishop of Canterbury at General Synod in York
7 July 2012
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, contributed to several debates in the July Group of…
February 2012
General Synod: Archbishop Rowan speaks in debate on women bishops
8 February 2012
The Church of England's General Synod is currently looking at the legislative process designed to make…
General Synod: Archbishop speaks on recent violence in Nigeria
8 February 2012
The Archbishop of Canterbury has warned that Nigeria is under threat of "disintegration" at the hands…
General Synod: Archbishop's sermon at Eucharist
8 February 2012
A sermon preached by Archbishop Rowan Williams at a Eucharist celebrated in the Assembly Hall of Church…
General Synod: Debate on Assisted Dying
6 February 2012
In a debate on Assisted Dying, the Archbishop of Canterbury warned that changes to the law to allow assisted…