Debates at General Synod can be triggered in a variety of ways.
One of these is for a member of the Synod to table a 'Private
Member's Motion' (PMM). In order to ascertain the degree of
interest in each motion, the Synod's Business Committee arranges
for the text of a motion to be available, during each group of
sessions, together with a list that is open for 'signature' by
other members of the Synod. It is also possible for members to sign
PMMs electronically between groups of sessions. (Details of how to
do this can be found in the resources section on the right-hand
side) By putting their name to particular motions, members are
signalling that they think they should be debated.
When putting together the agenda for the next meeting of the
Synod, the Business Committee has regard to the number of
signatures each motion has received in deciding which should be
debated (generally there is only space for one or two PMMs to be
debated in each group of sessions). While the motion with the most
signatures is often the one selected there can be reasons for
selecting another that has also attracted considerable support (it
might, for example, be more time-critical).
Once a motion has been open for signature for three groups of
session, it is removed from the Agenda if it has not attracted 100
signatures.
Private Members' Motions
(List correct as of 8 May 2013)
PUBLIC DOCTRINE OF CHRISTIAN
MARRIAGE
REGISTRATION OF CIVIL
PARTNERSHIPS
THE MODEL OF PERMANENCE TO
WHICH MARRIAGE ASPIRES
CANON B 8
BURIALS IN CLOSED CHURCHYARDS
WOMEN IN THE EPISCOPATE
GENERAL SYNOD OF THE HOUSE OF LAITY
BISHOPS IN CIVIL PARTNERSHIPS
UNSAFE FOOD AND POST-2015 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
GOALS
PUBLIC DOCTRINE
OF CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE (February 2012)
Mrs Andrea Minichiello Williams
(Chichester) to move:
'That this Synod affirm the public doctrine of Christian
marriage, between a man and a woman, as set out in the Book of
Common Prayer as the only basis for engagement with public policy
on marriage and family life.'
119 signatures
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Public doctrine of Christian marriage
REGISTRATION OF
CIVIL PARTNERSHIPS (February 2012)
Mr John Ward (London) to move:
That this Synod:
(a) give its general consent, pursuant to regulation 2D of the
Marriages and Civil Partnerships (Approved Premises) Regulations
2005, to any application made in respect of a church or chapel of
the Church of England for approval as a place at which two people
may register as civil partners of each other; and
(b) require the Clerk to the Synod forthwith to publish evidence of
this consent in writing.
117 signatures
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Registration of Civil Partnerships
THE MODEL OF
PERMANENCE TO WHICH MARRIAGE ASPIRES (July 2012)
Mr Tom Sutcliffe (Southwark) to move:
'That this Synod believe that the aspiration to permanence,
counting on grace, in a relationship of love is the defining mark
of Christian marriage, and that an analogous aspiration to
permanent relationships among people not constituted by nature for
heterosexual marriage is equally dependent on grace (and the
support of Christians), if such relationships are to conform to the
model of true marriage that Jesus specifically taught.'
35 signatures
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The model of permanence to which marriage aspires
CANON B 8
(November 2012)
The Revd Christopher Hobbs (London) to
move:
'That this Synod call on the Business Committee to introduce
draft legislation to amend the law relating to the vesture of
ministers so that, without altering the principles set out in
paragraphs 1 and 2 of Canon B 8, the wearing of the forms of
vesture referred to in paragraphs 3, 4 and 5 of that Canon becomes
optional rather than mandatory.'
36 signatures
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Canon B 8
BURIALS IN
CLOSED CHURCHYARDS (November 2012)
The Revd Andrew Dotchin (St Edmundsbury and Ipswich)
to move:
'The this Synod call on the Archbishops' Council to:
(a) consider the position in relation to further burials in
churchyards which have been closed by Order in Council; and
(b) make representations to Her Majesty's Government on the
matter with a view to primary legislation being brought forward
(whether by way of Measure or Act of Parliament) to facilitate such
burials in appropriate cases.'
20 signatures
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Burials in Closed Churchyards
WOMEN IN THE EPISCOPATE
(November 2012)
The Revd Simon Cawdell (Hereford) to
move:
'That this Synod call on the Business Committee to introduce a
draft Measure to allow the consecration of women to the episcopate,
in a form different from the draft Bishops and Priests
(Consecration and Ordination of Women) Measure, within the next
twelve months.'
3 signatures
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Women in the Episcopate
GENERAL SYNOD
HOUSE OF LAITY (November 2012)
Mr Philip French (Rochester) to move:
'That this Synod call for the Church Representation Rules to be
amended, in time for the 2015 General Synod elections, to provide
that:
(a) the diocesan electors for the House of Laity of the General
Synod become all those lay persons entered on the church electoral
rolls of parishes in the relevant diocese;
(b) election addresses be provided online in a standard form, to
include clear disclosure of candidates' positions on such matters
as the House of Laity may by resolution direct; and
(c) nomination and voting be conducted electronically.'
6 signatures
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General Synod House of Laity
BISHOPS IN CIVIL PARTNERSHIPS
(March 2013)
The Revd Dr Robert Munro (Chester) to
move:
'That this Synod call on the House of Bishops to re-instate the
moratorium on the consecration as bishops of clergy in civil
partnerships and, having done so, seek the approval of the General
Synod before it is lifted again.'
75 signatures
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Bishops in Civil Partnerships
UNSAFE FOOD &
POST-2015 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (April 2013)
The Revd Canon Richard Hibbert (St Albans) to
move:
'That this Synod:
(a) note the serious public health implications of chronic
aflatoxin exposure, which affects an estimated 4.5 billion people
living in developing countries, is responsible for over a quarter
of the world's liver cancer and contributes to childhood stunting
and immunosuppressive disorders;
(b) acknowledge the economic impact of aflatoxin contamination
on smallholder farmers in developing countries, both in terms of
long-term health problems and export losses due to unsafe levels of
the toxin; and
(c) call on Her Majesty's Government to ensure the issue is
addressed in the post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals through
funding for household, private sector and national crop drying,
storage and primary processing to improve food safety and food
security.'
16 signatures
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Unsafe Food