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:
February 2010
The Archbishop's Presidential Address, General Synod February 2010
9 February 2010
In a wide-ranging address to the General Synod in London, the Archbishop of Canterbury discusses the…
February 2009
Archbishop's farewells from the February 2009 Synod
13 February 2009
The Archbishop of Canterbury gave a farewell speech at the General Synod to mark the retirement of the…
Archbishop - What kind of global communion do we want to be?
12 February 2009
The Archbishop on the Anglican Covenant, General Synod, London.
Archbishop - We have to spread the good news of what is done
12 February 2009
The Archbishop on Inter Faith - Presence and Engagement, General Synod, London.
Draft Bishops and Priests (Consecration and Ordination of Women) Measure
11 February 2009
The Archbishop spoke at General Synod, London.
The Archbishop's Presidential Address, General Synod February 2009
10 February 2009
Impressions from the Lambeth Conference; Archbishops' appeal for Zimbabwe and women in the episcopate.…
Archbishop introduces His Eminence Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, the Archbishop of Westminster, to address the Synod
9 February 2009
Anglican-Roman Catholic Relations Agenda, General Synod, London.
July 2008
General Synod, York, 2008 - The Church of the Triune God
4 July 2008
Following an allocution from Metropolitan John Zizioulas of Persamon, the Archbishop of Canterbury gave…
February 2008
Archbishop's farewell tribute - Bishop of Sheffield
14 February 2008
The Archbishop of Canterbury gave a farewell speech at the General Synod to mark the retirement of the…
Archbishop's farewell tribute to Bishop of Truro
14 February 2008
The Archbishop of Canterbury gave a farewell speech at the General Synod to mark the retirement of the…