THE ANGLICAN DIOCESE OF GRAFTON Chris Nelson Registrar PO Box 4 GRAFTON NSW 2460 02 6642 4122 registrar@graftondiocese.org.au Tuesday, 25 June 2019 Dear members of Synod, Thank you for your participation in the Third Session of the Thirty-Sixth Synod of the Diocese of Grafton For the assistance of members of synod in reporting back to Parish Council and other interested members of your Ministry Unit, we have compiled a document with the wording of each resolution (excluding the procedural resolutions, receipt and acceptance of reports to the synod and the general vote of thanks), Ordinances passed, the questions asked of the President, and a list of those elected at this synod ‘As members of synod are very aware, some sensitive topics were discussed at this synod. These topics had proponents and opponents who held their opinion strongly and with integrity. In your use of this information, itis asked that when sharing with the parish or the organisation you represented at synod, you take care to continue to exhibit the respect that was displayed at the synod. The upcoming edition of the North Coast Anglican will include an article on the synod. Yours sincerely, fe a Fhe Chris Nelson Registrar/General Manager Anglican Diocese of Grafton “embracing the spiritMAJOR RESOLUTIONS OF 2019 SYNOD. R13/19: Op Shop Support That this Synod, in recognition of the valuable ministry of parish op shops and the increasing regulatory demands and the expectations of society, call upon the Bishop- in-Couneil to conduct a review of the op shops across the Diocese to recommend areas of support, training and cooperation that would benefit the op shop operations and the volunteers that serve in this ministry. R23/19: Format of the Diocesan Governance Ordinance For the purpose of making the Diocesan Governance Ordinance 2008 clearer for its users, this Synod authorises the Registrar, under the guidance of the Ordinance Review Committee, to amend and re-issue the Diocesan Governance Ordinance with the following format changes: . Clause numbering that correlates to the chapter numbering of the ordinance; + Defined terms being identified in the text of the ordinance by underlining or other suitable change of format; * Deletion of redundant clause numbers; and . Any other editing that proves necessary as a consequence of the above. R24/19: “Statement from the Heart” That this Synod calls upon our Federal Government to honour the recommendations in the ‘Statement from the Heart” from the First Nations Constitutional Convention at Uluru in May 2017, the Convention of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tribes, to: + Establish a First Nations Voice to be enshrined in the Constitution; * Enable a Makarrata Commission to supervise a process of agreement-making between governments and First Nations and truth-telling about our history; + To.acknowledge the First Nations statement and right to “seek constitutional reforms to empower our people and take a rightful place in our own country’. 25/19: Recognition of First Nations Peoples as part of the Constitution. That Synod notes with pleasure the decision of the Hon Ken Wyatt AM MP, Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians, to proceed slowly towards a referendum related to the level of constitutional recognition of our First Nations peoples and thereby to build up the support within the Australian community for this change in the same way the very strong support was built before the 1967 successful referendum on the first federal recognition as human beings of our First Nations peoples. 26/19: Canons of the 17th General Synod That this Synod requests the Bishop-in-Council to consider the following Canons passed by the 17th General Synod and if the Bishop-in-Council considers it appropriate, provide the assent of the Diocese of Grafton by ordinance: + Canon 2 Constitution (Appellate Tribunal) Amendment Canon 2017 * Canon 6 Constitution (Jurisdiction of Special Tribunal) Amendment Canon 2017 27/19: General Synod Doctrine Commission - General Synod Resolution 48/17 That this Synod: a) Notes that the General Synod Doctrine Commission, in response to General ‘Synod Resolution 48/17, has published the book Marriage, Same-Sex Marriage and the Anglican Church of Australia. b) Notes that this book is available for free download from the website of Broughton Publishing httos://www.broughtonpublishing.com.au/marriagedoctrineessays/ The minutes of this synod remain unconfirmed until Bishop-in-Council meets on 15 August 2019. While an effort has been made to faithfully reproduce the resolutions and other decisions of the Synod, Bishop-in-Council is authorised to make corrections as they consider appropriate. Page 2 of 13,©) Encourages all members of the Diocese to engage closely with the essays in this book, which seeks to inform and facilitate a respectful conversation in the Anglican Church of Australia about marriage, same-sex marriage and the blessings of same-sex unions. R28/19: Affirming All God’s People with Radical Hospitality That this Synod: ‘* affirms that all humanity in its diversity is made in the image of God and is called to share full honour and equity with one another; * with God affirms the goodness in the gender and sexual identity of all people; and * welcomes all LGBTQIA+ people into full participation in the life of the Church. 30/19: St Cuthbert’s Retirement Living Complexes That Synod acknowledges with thanks the ministry over the past 40 years of St. Cuthbert’s Retirement Living Complexes in Tweed Heads and expresses the gratitude of the Diocese for: * the visionary and strategic leadership of the people of the Parish of Tweed Heads in establishing the 74 units in retirement villages to provide affordable retirement accommodation in a safe Anglican Christian village environment in the Tweed Heads/Gold Coast area without discrimination; * the dedicated and skitful manner, in which many volunteer Board members have managed the complex over the years and cared for residents, * the mutual support and cooperation of the Board and the Diocese together * the extraordinary financial benefits that the complex has delivered to the Diocese in support of Diocesan ministry initiatives including support of Diocesan Ordination Candidates, the saving of Clarence Valley Anglican School, and future Diocesan initiatives to come, 31/19: Global Goals for Sustainable Development This Synod notes the success of the Millennium Development Goals which included more than halving the number of people living in extreme poverty since 1990 and: a) Welcomes the new Global Goals for Sustainable Development, which aim to end poverty, protect the planet, and pursue the common good; b) Encourages Anglicare North Coast, parishes and schools across the Diocese to. engage actively with the sustainable development goals as part of our commitment to the following three marks of mission adopted by the Anglican Consultative Couneil in 1984: i To respond to human need by loving service i, To transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and pursue peace and reconciliation i To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth ©) Calls for a fair share of Australia's national budget (0.7% of gross national income) to be dedicated to overseas development assistance that aims to reduce poverty; and 4d) Asks Bishop-in-Council to report to the next Synod on provisions made to ensure that not less than 0.7% of eligible diocesan income, including income from the sale of church properties, is dedicated to projects which contribute to the global sustainable development goals. The minutes of this synod remain unconfirmed until Bishop-in-Council meets on 15 August 2019. While an effort has been made to faithfully reproduce the resolutions and other decisions of the Synod, Bishop-in-Couneil is authorised to make corrections as they consider appropriate, Page 3 of 1332/19: Refugee and Asylum Seekers That this Synod * recognises our imperative as Christians to a) love the refugee as we love ourselves, b) to welcome the refugee and asylum seeker, ©) and to ensure justice for the refugee and asylum seeker; ‘+ continues to advocate for refugee and asylum seekers; and ‘* will lobby the Government to bring the women and men currently in detention on Manus Island and Nauru to Australia, to close offshore processing facilities, and to expedite applications that pre-date 1 January 2018 awaiting decision for refugee status. 33/19: Recognition and Blessing of Same-Sex Marriages That this Synod encourages the 2020 General Synod: i) to authorise Anglican clergy to participate in civil marriages: ji) to move towards providing optional provisions for the blessing of civil marriages; and iii) to move towards providing an optional liturgy for the solemnisation of Holy Matrimony where the parties to the marriage are of the same gender. R34/19: Family and Domestic Violence That this Synod: + does not condone any form of family and domestic violence; ‘+ affirms the work of the General Synod Family Violence Working Group; + supports the National Anglican Family Violence Study to be undertaken by National Church Life Survey Research; and * continues to work with Australian dioceses in the prevention of family and domestic violence. R35/19: First Nations That this Synod: * affirms and acknowledges the Bundjalung, Arakwal, Yaegl, Githabul, Gumbayngirr, Dunghutti and Birbai peoples as the First Nations of this Diocese; * affirms that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tribes are the first sovereign Nations of Australia from the time of Creation, and, according to science, more than 60,000 years ago; * will lobby the Federal Indigenous Affairs Minister to work towards a referendum on constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; ‘+ asks Ministry Units to use their local Acknowledgement of Country in liturgies, websites, and printed material; and encourages Ministry Units to lobby their local member of parliament to ensure that Australia observes its commitments under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples to provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with freedom from discrimination, self-determination, participation in decision-making, and the protection of their language and cultures. The minutes of this synod remain unconfirmed until Bishop-in-Council meets on 15 August 2019. While an effort has been made to faithfully reproduce the resolutions and other decisions of the Synod, Bishop-in-Council is authorised to make corrections as they consider appropriate. Page 4 of 13,R36/19: Conversion Therapy That this Synod * acknowledges that all people are made in the image of God, regardless of sexuality or gender identity; * endorses the position of the Australian Psychological Society that "strongly opposes any approach to psychological practice or research that treats lesbians, gay men, and bi-sexual people as disordered, and any approach that attempts to change an individual's sexual orientation,” ‘+ will be sensitive to, and to listen to, diverse expressions of sexuality and gender identity, and never recommend "Conversion Therapy" to anyone; and + calls on the government to ban the practice of "Conversion Therapy", R37 /49: Pre-Synod Presentation That this Synod, with gratitude, records its appreciation to the Registrar, Chris Nelson, (and his team) for the professional and polished delivery of pre-Synod workshops. R38/19: The Right to Vote (75.2 of the Diocesan Governance Ordinance 2008 as. amended February 2019) That Synod requests the Bishop-in-Council to investigate the implications of lowering the voting age from 16 to 14 to allow greater participation in the life of the parish by youth and reports back to Synod 2020. ORDINANCES PASSED AT SYNOD 2019 The following ordinances were passed with amendment: Ordinance No. 6 of 2019 GRAFTON DIOCESAN GOVERNANCE ORDINANCE 2008 AMENDING ORDINANCE (BISHOP - RESIGNATION AND ELECTION) 2019 ‘An Ordinance to amend the Grafton Diocesan Governance Ordinance 2008 with regard to the processes to be employed upon the resignation of the Bishop of Grafton and for the election of a new Bishop of Grafton. Ordinance No. 7 of 2019 GRAFTON DIOCESAN GOVERNANCE ORDINANCE 2008 AMENDING ORDINANCE (PARISH ADMINISTRATION) 2019 An Ordinance to amend the Grafton Diocesan Governance Ordinance 2008 with regard to the arrangements for the administration of the parishes of the Diocese. A tull copies of these new ordinances of the Diocese of Grafton and the amended version of the Diocesan Governance Ordinance 2008 will become available on the Diocesan website at www.graftondiocese.org.au from 1 July 2019. The minutes of this synod remain unconfirmed until Bishop-in-Council meets on 15 August 2019. While an effort has been made to faithfully reproduce the resolutions and other decisions of the Synod, Bishop-in-Council is authorised to make corrections as they consider appropriate Page § of 13ELECTION RESULTS IN 2019 SYNOD R3/19: Synod Secretary That this Synod appoints The Reverend Canon Matthew Smedley as a Secretary of the ‘Synod replacing The Reverend Keith McPherson who has resigned from this office. The following persons were declared elected, Bishop-in-Counci The Reverend Canon Zoe Everingham and The Reverend Angela Dutton Corporate Trustees: Mrs Kelley Malaba General Synod Representative: The Venerable Tiffany Sparks Panel of Triers: Professor Robert Weatherby 2 clergy positions remain vacant ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS IN 2019 SYNOD Question 1 of 2019: Rose) During the second session of Synod of the 36” Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Grafton, Mr Phillip Bonser, in the reply to the question, ‘what’ in relation to Diocesan Schools, is projected to be undertaken to ‘encourage closer relationships between schools and parishes’? stated, inter alia, action has to be, and will be, taken to address this area. loser relationships between schools and parishes (Mr Bob My Question follows: What action has been, or has planned to be, taken by? * The Diocesan Schools Commission? * The Diocese? [ The Grafton diocese Mission and Ministry Overview provides the overarching framework under which all Diocesan sectors operate states under the heading Priorities (ref 018 Reports Vol1 p23) “Faithfully strengthen our mission focus” with dot point 3 reading “Encourage closer relationships between schools and parishes.” Diocesan role further highlighted in the February 2011 Bishop in Council Matters reference to the challenge to the Grafton Diocese consideration of ‘why it has Anglican Schools" with eight questions raised.] * The school Principals and governing bodies? Answer to Question 1 of 2019: There is no specific action being taken by the Grafton Anglican Schools Commission or the Diocese at this time to facilitate closer relationships between particular schools and Parishes, as this is considered a matter best initiated and implemented locally. Each of our schools has an existing relationship with their most local parish. In most instances the impetus for the establishment of that school originated with that parish and The minutes of this synod remain unconfirmed until Bishop-in-Couneil meets on 15 August 2019. While an effort has been made to faithfully reproduce the resolutions and other decisions of the Synod, Bishop-in-Council is authorised to make corrections as they consider appropriate. Page 6 of 13,in most cases members of the parish continue to be actively involved in the governance of the school, ‘The Principals and chaplains of our schools are fully aware of the desirability of building relationships with other nearby parishes. This matter was raised at the most recent Diocesan Schools Network meeting and the schools were able to give a range of ‘examples of ways in which relationships between their schools and local parishes are being strengthened Given that the Diocesan schools are considered to be ministry units in their own right, this needs to occur, however, based on clearly identified mutual benefits, just as would be the case if cooperation between neighbouring parishes was under consideration. Parishes with an interest in forming a stronger relationship with one of the schools are encouraged to contact either the Principal or the Chaplain to discuss the possibilities. Question 2 of 2019: Lismore Parish Centre Pre-School (Prof. Robert Weatherby) The Diocesan Governance Ordinance 2008, Chapter 7 - Synod, Section 43.2 concerns the composition of Synod. Part (h) states "The Principals of Diocesan Schools” are members of Synod. Further, part (j) states “One lay person, who is a communicant member of the Anglican Church, from each Diocesan School, appointed from and by the Council thereof’ is also a member of Synod. As the Lismore Parish Centre Pre-School now falls under the jurisdiction of the Diocesan Schools Commission, is it regarded as equivalent to the other Diocesan Schools and if so is it entitled to representation in the Synod? Answer to Question 2 of 2019: The fact that the Grafton Anglican Schools Commission has been given oversight of the Lismore Parish Centre Pre-School does not confer the rights of Synod membership as per or similar to clause 43,2 (j) of the Diocesan Governance Ordinance. The Constitution of the Grafton Anglican Schools Commission, and the resolutions of Bishop-in-Council in relation to the work of the Commission, do not interact with Chapter 7 — Synod of the Diocesan Governance Ordinance. {tis relevant to point out that the Grafton Anglican Schools Commission also has oversight of the St Columba Anglican School Foundation. This Foundation is also not covered by clause 43.2 (j) or similar and therefore is not directly represented at this Synod If it was considered appropriate for a lay person, who is a communicant member of the Anglican Church, to be appointed by and from the Management Committee of the Lismore Parish Centre Pre-School, then that would be achieved by the passing of a bill to amend clause 43.2 of the Governance Ordinance. Question 3 of 2019: Anglicare North Coast at Goonellabah (Prof. Robert Weatherby) Anglicare North Coast has a centre/office in a very prominent location on the Bruxner Highway (Ballina Road) at Goonellabah. It has a highly visible sign which is an excellent promotion device for Anglicare as it draws comments from the general community. However, the sign has no contact details and Lismore Parish receives enquiries which unfortunately cannot be answered and callers are referred to call Grafton which sometimes elicits an annoyed response. Is there a Diocesan Policy on The minutes of this synod remain unconfirmed until Bishop-in-Council meets on 15 August 2019. While an effort has been made to faithfully reproduce the resolutions and other decisions of the Synod, Bishop-n-Council is authorised to make corrections as they consider appropriate. Page 7 of 13signage and what ought to be on signs such that we as a Diocese give positive branding messages to what we do and our Mission? Answer to Question 3 of 2019: There is currently no Diocesan policy on signage. While a policy on signage would be useful, issues and concerns relating to signage seem to be rare and would not justify prioritising this task over other tasks. With regard to the signage of Anglicare North Coast, itis relevant to inform the Synod that Anglicare North Coast uses a format and design that is consistent across their operations and corresponds to the design of Anglicare Australia, Anglicare North Coast typically place their signs in a prominent position on or near to the premises that they are occupying, This is relevant to Anglicare North Coast's operations where clients are encouraged to visit their premises. With regard to the situation described relating to the Anglicare North Coast office at Goonellabah and the Lismore Parish Office, the staff of Anglicare North Coast are willing to talk over this situation to see how Anglicare clients can be served in a positive way and to turn this into a positive ministry experience. Question 4 of 2019: Global Goals for Sustainable Development (Canon Terry Shorten) Motion 17 of 2019 - Global Goals for Sustainable Development ~ in part (d) seeks " allocate 0.7% of gross diocesan income, including income from the sale of properties’. So that Synod may be well informed in both considering the motion and in adopting the 2020 Diocesan Budget, could Synod be provided with the quantum of money involved? Answer to Question 4 of 2019: The audited financial results for 2018 will be used as the basis for this answer. The gross Diocesan income in 2018 was recorded at $5.06M. So 0.7% of that figure would be $35,424. ‘As the gross Diocesan income includes money flowing through the Diocesan accounts that the Diocese doesn't profit from (e.g. parish payroll, insurance premiums, government grants, insurance payments) it may be reasonable to look at income differently for this purpose. If school contributions, payroll, on charges were subtracted, the 2018 income may be considered as $822,550 and 0.7% would then be $5,758. With regard to property sales in 2018, there were net proceeds from property sales of $1.10M and the Anglican Diocese of Grafton benefitted to the extent of $325.7K from those sales Applying 0.7% to property sales would be $7,718 or $2,280 depending upon whether all property sales were considered or just those that benefitted the accounts of the Anglican Diocese of Grafton. On the basis of the 2018 accounts, the financial impact to the Diocese of Grafton budget from this resolution would be in the range of $8,008 to $43,142 depending on the assumptions used in determining the figure The minutes of this synod remain unconfirmed until Bishop-in-Council meets on 15 August 2019. While an effort has been made to faithfully reproduce the resolutions and other decisions of the Synod, Bishop-in-Counail is authorised to make corrections as they consider appropriate. Page 8 of 13Question 5 of 2019: President (Bishop) may not vote (The Reverend David Hanger) Given Standing Order 48.1 states ‘The President may not vote on any question before Synod.’ Could the President clarify the following matters at an appropriate time before the debating of substantive motions Is the Bishop a member of Synod? Does this provision exclude the Bishop from voting if he chooses to do so? In the event of a decision to vote in houses is a vote recorded from the House of Bishops, either in the affirmative, negative or abstention? Does the Bishop have a right of veto over resolutions of Synod? If so, when will the Bishop inform Synod if he chooses to exercise that right at this session of Synod? Answer to Question 5 of 2019: The Bishop is a member of Synod as according to Standing Order 43.1 (a) “Synod consist[s] of three Houses, namely the House of the Bishop, the House of Clergy and the House of Laity, (the three Houses shall sit together in full Synod and shall deliberate and transact business therein and shall vote together unless a vote by Houses is required). ‘The membership of the House of Bishops is only the Bishop of Grafton and as pointed out in the question Standing Order 48.1 makes clear that the Bishop as President of ‘Synod does not vote on any question before Synod. So, in the event of a decision to vote in houses, votes are only recorded from the House of Clergy and the House of Laity. The Standing Orders do not provide the Bishop a right of veto over the resolutions of ‘Synod. Where a Synod makes a resolution, the Bishop shall “[support] the initiatives of Synod “as per sub-clause 7.1(c) of the Diocesan Governance Ordinance but that requirement will need to be held in tension with the other expectations and prerogatives of the Bishop as set down in clauses 7.1 to 7.5 and 8.1 of that Ordinance such as in clause 7.2 where “The Bishop's exercise of authority and responsibility is guided by the traditional rights, roles and responsibilities of an Anglican Diocesan Bishop, as set out in the Ordinal, and is subject to the laws of the Church.” Question 6 of 2019: McPherson) {Reference made to news of a named female person appointed to a licensed position within the Diocese], it also declared that [named person] is married to a woman The agreement between the bishops of Australia states in part: The doctrine of this Church is that marriage is a lifelong union between a man and a woman. If we as a Church are to change this doctrine to permit same-sex marriage, the appropriate mechanism is through the framework of the Constitution and Canons of the Anglican Church of Australia. Bishops should give leadership in demonstrating trust in this framework as the way to move forward together. The bishops commit to act within the framework of the Constitution and Canons of this Church, and to encourage those under their episcopal oversight to do so. icensing and the Constitution (The Reverend Keith The minutes of this synod remain unconfirmed until Bishop-in-Council meets on 15 August 2019. While an effort has been made to faithfully reproduce the resolutions and other decisions of the Synod, Bishop-in-Council is authorised to make corrections as they consider appropriate. Page 9 of 13In light of the agreement for Bishops to uphold the constitution, and the inappropriateness of licensing a person who at this stage is not married in the eyes of the Anglican Church of Australia 1, Was the Bishop informed of the Same Sex marriage prior to licensing [named person]? 2. Did the Bishop seek advice about the legalities under our constitution prior to issuing [named person] a license? 3. As such an appointment has the potential to dramatically affect the life of the diocese and the potential to breach the constitution, will the Bishop make any advice received available to Synod? Answer to Question 6 of 2019: Firstly, some preliminary comments: The first one of which is this: | have some reluctance to answer the question because it relates to the private life of a member of staff (who is also a member of this Synod), and as such itis in many ways an inappropriate question for the floor of synod However, after consulting with the Chancellor, | can see that the question should be answered because it relates to an issue that has been the subject of public discourse in Australia and is of concern to many in the church However, | propose to frame my answer in the following terms. | have no intention of discussing the conjugal status, or other personal details, of the person referred to in the question. So my answer will be of a general nature. The second preliminary comment is that there are a number of issues and concepts in the preamble to the question and in the question itself, which appear to have been employed loosely, Namely, the preamble notes that the bishops have agreed to uphold the Constitutions and Canons and to move forward together by acting within the framework of the Constitutions and Canons. However, in my view, that means by not conducting blessings of Same Sex Marriages. | have clearly stated that no one is authorised in this, diocese to offer blessings of Same Sex Marriages, in accordance with the Bishops’ Agreement. The issue of whether or not we employ or license people who have entered a Same. ‘Sex Marriage (which is a legal form of relationship performed under Commonwealth Law) is quite another matter. | do not believe that the Bishops Agreement covers this A related comment in the preamble to the question refers to the “inappropriateness of licensing a person who at this stage is not married in the eyes of the Anglican Church of Australia”. In our parish churches and church institutions, we do not require people who are married to have been married in the Anglican Church of Australia. A marriage under Commonwealth law is recognised by us as a legitimate marriage. Finally, so that this question is answered not just by me but also by someone who wasn't involved in the decision to license, | have invited the Chancellor to comment also, which he'll do in a moment. The minutes of this synod remain unconfirmed until Bishop-in-Council meets on 15 August 2019. While an effort has been made to faithfully reproduce the resolutions and other decisions of the Synod, Bishop-in-Council is authorised to make corrections as they consider appropriate. Page 10 of 13,So in response to the question, yes | did seek advice. | was told that so fong as someone being licensed is willing to live by the principles of Faithfulness in Service, then that person can be licensed. | was told that the key aspect was this one: Section 7 Sexual Conduct ‘The sexual conduct of clergy and church workers has a significant impact on the Church and the community. Sexuality is a gift from God and is integral to human nature. It is appropriate for clergy and church workers to value this gift, taking responsibility for their sexual conduct by maintaining chastity in singleness and faithfulness in marriage. (italics mine) The term Marriage as it is used here is not defined anywhere. This is the only advice | have received apart from the Chancellor's advice. The Chancellor will comment soon. I have noted that in the accompanying Standards for Section 7, the Grafton version of Faithfulness in Service is slightly different from the General Synod version. Standard 7.4 of the Grafton version states that "Your sexual behaviour should be characterised by faithfulness and integrity”. This is quite different to the General Synod version: "You are to be chaste and not engage in sex outside of marriage and not engage in disgraceful conduct of a sexual nature’ In response to the last question, | do not believe that issuing a licence to someone in a Same Sex Marriage would breach the constitution. Again, the Chancellor may wish to comment. | apologise if, through my actions, some in the diocese are aggrieved by this. However, the reality is, that in our churches, schools and other institutions we do not employ only single people or people who are married in the Anglican Church of Australia, we employ people who are in many different relationship arrangements. In other dioceses in which | have worked in Australia and in the Church of England, clergy and lay people are licensed when they are in a Same Sex relationship. | was surprised to find that this was not already the case in Grafton | believe that the Chancellor wants to comment as well Question 7 of 2019: Membership of Cursillo Teams in the Diocese (Mr Kevin Hill) In light of the appointment of a couple in a same sex relationship to one of the current Cursillo teams and as the National Secretariat of Cursillo follows the view of the National Synod in regards to marriage being between male and female, will the Bishop please inform the synod of the following} Did Bishop Murray approve these appointments? If not, who did? Is it now the policy of this diocese to recognise same sex marriages by placing same ‘sex couples in places of leadership such as in Cursillo teams or other areas of leadership of the diocese? In view of the responsibilty of the secretariat to honour the policies and procedures of the National Anglican Cursillo Movement, will Bishop Murray ask the diocesan secretariat to advise the National Secretariat of its decision to appoint a couple in a same sex relationship to a Cursillo team? In view of the responsibility of the secretariat to honour the policies and procedures of the NACM, will Bishop Murray ask the diocesan secretariat to advise the cursillistas of The minutes of this synod remain unconfirmed until Bishop-in-Council meets on 15 August 2019. While an effort has been made to faithfully reproduce the resolutions and other decisions of the Synod, Bishop-in-Council is authorised to make corrections as they consider appropriate. Page 11 of 13,the diocese of this decision to appoint a couple in a same sex relationship to a Cursillo team as in the sacraments talk, when it refers to marriage, does not recognise same sex marriages, but the biblical form of marriage, before the Cursillo takes place? Answer to Question 7 of 2019: “Did Bishop Murray approve these appointments? If not, who did?" | do not approve the appointment of team members and other leaders with Cursillo. | only approve the Diocesan Lay Directors. On becoming Bishop, | was asked to approve a long list of names of persons who were being put forward as Cursillo team leaders. However, as / did not know any of the people on any of the lists that were sent to me, and given our current environment where great care has to be taken in appointing people to serve in leadership capacities, | refused to approve any of the people on the lists. On discussing this with the leaders of the Diocesan Cursillo movement it was decided that from that point onwards the Rectors of the named persons would be asked to recommend the persons whose names are put forward In relation to the couple referred to in the question, | do not know them. | was informed of the appointment by a member of the clergy, after the fact. On enquiring with the Diocesan leaders of Cursillo | was told that it was correct that a Same Sex Married couple are currently serving as leaders in the Diocesan Cursillo movement. understand that the persons concerned have been serving with Cursillo since well before I became the bishop. From speaking to the Diocesan Cursillo leaders it was my impression that this issue had been fully considered by the Secretariat and that the secretariat was fully aware of the issues and the implications of their decision. | respect their decision “Is it now the policy of this diocese to recognise same sex marriages by placing same sex couples in places of leadership such as in Cursillo teams or other areas of leadership of the diocese?” No, it is not a policy of the diocese. | cannot speak for Cursillo. “In view of the responsibilty of the secretariat to honour the policies and procedures of the National Anglican Cursillo Movement, will Bishop Murray ask the diocesan secretariat to advise the National Secretariat of its decision to appoint a couple ina same sex relationship to a Cursillo team?" No. They may wish to do so, but | don't see it as my responsibilty to interfere in the running of the Cursillo Movement. “In view of the responsibilty of the secretariat to honour the policies and procedures of the NACM, will Bishop Murray ask the diocesan secretariat to advise the cursillistas of the diocese of this decision to appoint a couple in a same sex relationship to a Cursillo. team as in the sacraments talk, when it refers to marriage, does not recognise same sex marriages, but the biblical form of marriage, before the Cursillo takes place?” Iam happy to communicate to them that if they are teaching anything about the sacraments, | would expect that they would not include Marriage because it is not a Sacrament according to our Anglican Doctrine, but rather, it is commonly called a ‘sacrament. It should be clear from these answers that 1. Ihave no intention of taking an active role in the day to day management of the Diocesan Cursillo Movement The minutes of this synod remain unconfirmed until 8ishop-in-Council meets on 15 August 2019. While an effort has been made to faithfully reproduce the resolutions and other decisions of the Synod, Bishop-in-Council is authorised to make corrections as they consider appropriate. Page 12 of 13,2. More importantly, and in line with my answer to a previous question, it is my understanding that the Bishops Agreement about Same Sex Marriage, relates to not performing the blessing of a Same Sex Marriage, it does not relate to who may be appointed to a post or ministry Question 8 of 2019: Religious Education in Diocesan Schools (The Reverend ‘Simon Reeve) In our Diocesan Schools the chaplains are responsible to teach Religious Education to the student, similar to SRE in NSW Public Schools. Public School SRE teachers follow a curriculum agreed to by the churches, approved by the Department of Education and made available to the parents. Is there an approved curriculum for the Religious Education of students in our Diocesan Schools? Is this curriculum available for parents to view? Who monitors the content of lessons, and who monitors the teaching of that content by school chaplains? If there is a concer or complaint about a lesson delivered by a chaplain, what is the complaint procedure for our Diocesan Schools, especially when it comes to chaplains who have been licenced by our Bishop? And how are these procedures accessed by concemed parents or a concerned member of the public? Answer to Question 8 of 2019: The teaching of religious education in Diocesan Schools is not directly comparable to the teaching of SRE in NSW Public Schools. Unlike, SRE which is increasingly difficult to resource and sustain, the teaching of religious education is an integral and continuing part of the teaching and learning program in all our schools The Diocese does not mandate a curriculum or program structure for the religious education of students in our Diocesan schools. Chaplains are licenced by the Bishop and are, constitutionally, required to be members of the school executive. As part of their role, along with the Principal and other curriculum leaders, they lead the ongoing development of the religious education curriculum and program, the selection of teachers and the monitoring of the quality of teaching Each school has developed a program of study specifically designed to fit with their broader teaching program, structures and available resources. Details of these programs of study are available directly from the schools. These programs draw on a mix of internationally recognised and locally developed curriculum resources. A number of these programs have now been in operation for extended periods and have been subject to extensive and ongoing review and development The schools have adopted a variety of structural options to facilitate resourcing of their religious education teaching program. Teaching of religious education in the schools is not undertaken exclusively by the chaplains. In all our schools appropriately qualified and enthusiastic classroom teachers are involved in developing and teaching religious education programs. Diocesan schools have established procedures for dealing with concems and complaints. In the first instance, these procedures involve raising the matter with the responsible person or persons. Where this does not resolve the matter more formal processes are available and these can be accessed by contacting individual schools. The minutes of this synod remain unconfirmed until Bishop-in-Council meets on 15 August 2019. While an effort has been made to faithfully reproduce the resolutions and other decisions of the Synod, Bishop-in-Counei is authorised to make corrections as they consider appropriate. Page 13 of 13