MONDAY, MAY 31, 2004

Primatial Election

Members gathered in the Sean O’Sullivan Theatre on the Brock University Campus. The Holy Eucharist was celebrated with Archbishop David Crawley presiding and preaching.

Following the celebration of the Holy Eucharist, General Synod reconvened with the Prolocutor, Mrs. Dorothy Davies-Flindall in the chair. The Order of Bishops withdrew. The Order of Clergy were seated on the left and the Order of Laity were seated on the right. Ballot books were distributed to clergy and lay members.

The Prolocutor appointed:

The Prolocutor reported that there were 144 Lay Members and 117 Clergy Members eligible to vote.

The Prolocutor gave instructions on the balloting procedure.

First Ballot

The first ballot was taken at 11:25 A.M. Names on the first ballot:

Bishop Ronald Ferris
Archbishop Andrew Hutchison
Bishop Caleb Lawrence

The Prolocutor asked three times if all had voted and then declared the balloting closed.

The scrutineers counted the ballots. The Prolocutor announced the results.

Results of the First Ballot

Second Ballot

The Prolocutor called for the second ballot. She asked three times if all had voted and then declared the balloting closed.

Results of the Second Ballot:

Request for Additional Nominations - Order of Clergy

That the Order of Clergy call for further nominations from the Order of Bishops for the Office of Primate.

CARRIED IN THE ORDER OF CLERGY

The Prolocutor declared that as Bishop Lawrence had received the fewest votes in the aggregate after the second ballot, his name would be dropped from the third ballot.

Bishop Don Phillips, Secretary of the Order of Bishops, delivered a message from the Acting Primate, Archbishop Crawley saying that the Order of Bishops had nominated the Rt. Rev. Ralph Spence, Bishop of Niagara.

Third Ballot

The Prolocutor read aloud biographical information provided by Bishop Spence. She called for a period of quiet reflection before calling for the third ballot. The Prolocutor called for the ballot; asked three times if all had voted and then declared the balloting closed.

Results of the Third Ballot

The Prolocutor declared that as Bishop Spence had received the fewest votes in the aggregate after the third ballot, his name would be dropped from the fourth ballot.

Request for Additional Nominations - Order of Clergy

That the Order of Bishops be requested to provide one or more nominations for the office of Primate.

DEFEATED IN THE ORDER OF CLERGY

Request for Additional Nominations - Order of Laity

That the Order of Bishops present to the clergy and laity of this General Synod more nominations to be considered for the Office of Primate.

DEFEATED IN THE ORDER OF LAITY

Fourth Ballot

The Prolocutor called for the fourth ballot; asked three times if all had voted and then declared the balloting closed.

Results of the Fourth Ballot

The Prolocutor declared that an election had occurred.

Act 17

She thanked the scrutineers, secretaries and assessors for their work.

The Prolocutor delivered word of the election to the Order of Bishops. The Order of Bishops returned to the Sean O’Sullivan Theatre to a standing ovation. The Acting Primate presented Archbishop Andrew Hutchison and proclaimed him Primate.

The Primate Elect addressed Synod. He said that unity is one of the great challenges facing the church and that in his ministry, he would work to increase and build the unity of the Church.

The Acting Primate thanked Synod for its work.

Archbishop Andrew Hutchison, the Primate Elect, delivered the benediction.

The meeting reconvened in the Plenary Hall with the Acting Primate in the chair.

Orders of the Day

Mr. Peter Irish, Chair of the Agenda Committee, presented the Orders of the Day.

Report of the Nominating Committee

Destruction of Ballots – Primatial Election

That the ballots for the election of the Primate be destroyed.

CARRIED

Election of the Deputy Prolocutor

Nominating Committee Chair, Dean Louise Peters, presented the names of those nominated for the position of Deputy Prolocutor:

Mr. Peter Clarke
Mrs. Judy Darling
Mr. Peter Irish
Mr. Geoffrey Jackson
Mrs. Betty Livingston

The nominators were given the opportunity to briefly introduce their candidates to the membership.

Pastoral Care Team

Bishop Robert Bennett introduced the members of the Pastoral Care Team:

Election of Deputy Prolocutor

Ballots for the election of Deputy Prolocutor were distributed and collected.

Serving God’s World, Strengthening the Church
Letting Down the Nets

Table groups discussed Serving God’s World, Strengthening the Church, the proposed framework for the work of the church and Letting Down the Nets, the funding proposal. Questions put to the table groups:

• What do you find encouraging about the Framework? . . . about Letting Down the Nets?
• How do you think the vision of the Framework aligns with your diocesan vision and priorities?
• What are your key questions or concerns about the Framework ? . . . about Letting Down the Nets?

Committee of the Whole

That this General Synod move into the Committee of the Whole to discuss Serving God’s World, Strengthening the Church and Letting Down the Nets.

CARRIED

The Committee of the Whole discussed Serving God’s World, Strengthening the Church and Letting Down the Nets.

That General Synod rise from the Committee of the Whole.

CARRIED

Election of Deputy Prolocutor

Dean Louise Peters announced the results of the first ballot.

Mr. Peter Clarke - 18
Mrs. Judy Darling - 70
Mr. Peter Irish - 117
Mr. Geoffrey Jackson - 28
Mrs. Betty Livingston - 51

The name of the nominee with the lowest number of votes was dropped, leaving four names on the ballot. Ballots were distributed and collected. The Acting Primate declared the balloting closed.

Resolutions

Amendment to Canon XXI – On Marriage in the Church – Place of Marriage – Second Reading

That second reading be given to the resolution

That Section 12 in Part II of Canon XXI be repealed and the following substituted therefor:

12. Place of Marriage

a) Marriage is a public act and shall be solemnized in the face of the community and of the friends and neighbours of the couple.

b) Every marriage shall be solemnized in the presence of at least two witnesses in addition to the officiating minister.

c) The body of the church is the appropriate place for the solemnization of a marriage but a marriage may be solemnized in another location if the incumbent, after consultation with the bishop, is satisfied that the solemnity and public nature of the occasion will be preserved and that the service will be conducted with dignity in godly and decent order.

CARRIED IN ALL ORDERS
Act 18

Amendment to Canon XXI – On Marriage in the Church – Admission to Holy Communion - Second Reading

That second reading be given to the resolution

That Canon XXI be amended by deleting Part V - Admission to Holy Communion in Special Cases.

CARRIED IN ALL ORDERS
Act 19

Election of Deputy Prolocutor

Dean Louise Peters announced the results of the second ballot.

Mrs. Judy Darling - 69
Mr. Peter Irish - 166
Mr. Geoffrey Jackson - 12
Mrs. Betty Livingston - 40

The Acting Primate declared that Mr. Peter Irish was elected Deputy Prolocutor.

Act 20

Destruction of Ballots

That the ballots for the election of the Deputy Prolocutor be destroyed.

CARRIED

Thanks to the Prolocutor

Rev. Canon Michael Read rose on a point of personal privilege to thank the Prolocutor, Mrs. Dorothy Davies-Flindall for her fine work chairing the Primatial election.