Subject: The Primacy - Resignation Process

Moved By: Archdeacon Pat Johnston from the Diocese of Ottawa

Seconded By: Seconded By

Note: The mover and the seconder must be members of the General Synod and be present in the House when the resolution is before the synod for debate.

BE IT RESOLVED:

That section 7 of Canon III - The Primacy - be repealed and the following substituted therefor:

7. Resignation from Office

a) The Primate may submit notice of intention to resign from the office of Primate to the Provincial Metropolitan senior by election.

b) The senior Metropolitan shall, after consultation with the other Metropolitans and with the Prolocutor and Deputy Prolocutor of the General Synod, jointly with the Primate determine the date on which the Primate’s resignation should take effect.

c) The Primate shall then submit to the senior Metropolitan, and the senior Metropolitan shall accept, a resignation to take effect on the date determined pursuant to section 7 b).

d) The senior Metropolitan shall report the resignation to the Council of the General Synod and to the Order of Bishops of the General Synod.

e) The title of the Primate after ceasing to hold office shall continue to be “Archbishop”.

EXPLANATORY NOTE/BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

In November 2002 the Council of the General Synod appointed a Task Force to review Part One of Canon III. The Task Force tested parts of the Canon with a questionnaire to a wider constituency and met formally on two occasions. The Task Force reviewed the section of the Canon that provides for the resignation of the Primate. The Task Force proposed a revision of that section to clarify the process and to make express provision for acceptance of a resignation. The Council of the General Synod agreed to forward the proposal to the General Synod.