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This is an archived website containing material relating to Dr Rowan Williams’ time as Archbishop of Canterbury, which ended on 31st December 2012

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General Synod

What is the General Synod?

General SynodThe 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:

July 2006

Archbishop's Address to the Synod
7 July 2006
The Archbishop gave the Presidential Address to the General Synod of England, at the York group of Sessions.…

February 2006

Archbishop: Synod Call Was Expression Of 'Concern'
10 February 2006
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams has written to England's Chief Rabbi, Dr Jonathan Sacks,…

Speeches to General Synod on Women Bishops
9 February 2006
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, made two contributions to the Synod debate on the House…

Bicentenary of the Act for the Abolition of the Slave Trade - Speech to General Synod
8 February 2006
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, made the following contribution during the General Synod…

Archbishop's Sermon at Eucharist Service, General Synod, February 2006
7 February 2006
The Church of England's governing body, the General Synod, met in London in February 2006. Proceedings…

General Synod Women Bishops' Debate - Archbishop's Contributions
7 February 2006
The General Synod of the Church of England debated a report from the House of Bishops 'Women Bishops…

November 2005

General Synod - London Sessions, 15-16 November 2005 Archbishop's contribution during the debate on The Review of Clergy Terms of Service: property issues and progress report
16 November 2005
A contribution by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams.

General Synod London Sessions, 15-16 November 2005 Archbishop of Canterbury's farewell tribute to the Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Revd Richard Harries
16 November 2005
A tribute from the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams.

General Synod London Sessions, 15-16 November 2005 Archbishop's Presidential Address
16 November 2005
The Presidential Address by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams.

General Synod London Sessions, 15-16 November 2005 Archbishop's speech moving the Loyal Address
16 November 2005
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams.

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