GENERAL SYNOD
FEBRUARY 2007
QUESTIONS
of which notice has been given under Standing Orders 105-109. Questions for written reply are marked with an asterisk.
INDEX
QUESTIONS 1-20 ARCHBISHOPS’ COUNCIL
Approved telecommunications installer Q1
Diocesan allocations: review of basis Q2
Diocesan allocations: review of arrangements Q3
Parish funds: fiduciary duty Q4
Clergy Pension Review: option of increased retirement age Q5
Clergy Pension Review: validity of consultation process Q6
Women bishops: draft legislation in July 2007 Q7
Resolutions A and B in multi-parish benefices Q8
Religion in Broadcasting Group: meetings and representations Q9
Radio 3 Choral Evensong: rescheduling Q10
Radio 3 Choral Evensong: representations Q11
Diocesan web sites: guidance on appropriate content Q12
Discipline of the laity Q13
Times and Seasons: cheaper edition Q14
Church legislation: ministerial power to amend, repeal or revoke Q15
Orders under the Civil Partnership Act: consultation Q16
Adoption agencies: understanding of transitional period Q17
Sexual Orientation Regulations: representations Q18
Sexual Orientation Regulations: further consultations Q19
Freedom of conscience: consultations with other faith groups Q20
QUESTIONS 21-37 HOUSE OF BISHOPS
Action to advocate and defend freedom of conscience Q21
Perception of homophobia Q22
New Zealand: relations with the Church of England Q23
Church documents and photographs: use by political parties Q24
Christian symbols: lessons, advice and guidance Q25
Short-haul flights: Bishop of London’s example Q26
Spending priorities, fresh expressions and mission-shaped activities Q27
Signal sent by priorities Q28
House of Bishops: inclusion of a minister in secular employment Q29
Children: moral standards, love and guidance leading to joy Q30
Initiation and communion: teaching material Q31
Bullying and harassment: protection for clergy Q32
* Report on Ordained Local Ministry schemes Q33*
Use of cathedrals for Masonic events Q34
Women bishops: evidence from other Anglican provinces Q35
Continued acceptance of bishops opposed to the ordination of women Q36
Ordination of women to the priesthood: open process of reception Q37
QUESTIONS 38-49 SECRETARY GENERAL
Precedence of dioceses in the Year Book Q38
Petitions under the Episcopal Ministry Act of Synod: statistics Q39
Timing and location of meetings Q40
Unmasking of prejudice and protection of conscience Q41
Representations to Government: information for Synod members Q42
Date of next Doctrine Commission meeting Q43
Church House: energy requirements Q44
Church of England representatives: reduction of air travel Q45
Chancel repair liability: number of parishes Q46
Borrowing against clergy houses Q47
Churchwardens: succession planning Q48
* Resolutions A and B and Act of Synod petitions: up-to-date statistics Q49*
QUESTIONS 50-52 CLERK TO THE SYNOD
Display space at Synod meetings Q50
* General Synod: washable cups Q51*
* Synod worship: use of multimedia facilities Q52*
QUESTION 53 BOARD OF EDUCATION
Support for Christian Union students Q53
QUESTION 54 CATHEDRALS AND CHURCH BUILDINGS DIVISION
Repairs to church buildings: online petition Q54
QUESTIONS 55-56 COUNCIL FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY
ARCIC: compilation of future agenda Q55
Pentecostals: strategies for ecumenical ties Q56
QUESTIONS 57-70 MINISTRY DIVISION
Gifted entrepreneurs: church planting and growth Q57
Title for clergy without a stipend Q58
Residential training: impact of non-residence Q59
Colleges: review of Bishops’ Agreed Maximum Q60
Reader training: upper age limit Q61
Colleges: cut in fee levels Q62
Training institutions: proposed block grant funding Q63
Training institutions: subsidising of ordinands Q64
Ministerial Development Review: lay participation Q65
Clergy of incumbent status: proportions Q66
Number of clergy retirements in 2006 Q67
Clerical posts: imbalance of applications Q68
Ordination statistics Q69
Sheffield Formula: new alternative Q70
QUESTIONS 71-79 MISSION AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COUNCIL
* Church Urban Fund: progress of re-launch Q71*
Occupied Palestinian Territories: representations Q72
Steps to support the people of Palestine and Israel Q73
Breakdown Britain: response to Conservative report Q74
Global warming: dialogue with aviation industry and others Q75
Shrinking the Footprint: development of web site Q76
Gambling industry: tangible results of activity Q77
A Place of Refuge: lack of Synod debate Q78
Preparations for the Olympic Games Q79
QUESTIONS 80-81 CLERGY DISCIPLINE COMISSION
Clergy Discipline Measure: statistics Q80
Clergy Discipline Measure: threat of complaint Q81
QUESTION 82 CROWN NOMINATIONS COMMISSION
See of Oxford: delay in announcement of bishop-designate Q82
QUESTIONS 83-87 CHURCH COMMISSIONERS
Funding for parish mission initiatives Q83
Cost of employment disputes or claims Q84
Shrinking the carbon footprint: advice to tenants and occupiers Q85
Redundant churches: cost of central administration Q86
Budget for support of bishops Q87
QUESTIONS 88-89 PENSIONS BOARD
Range of properties for occupation under licence Q88
Pensions: proposed reduction in capital sum Q89
ARCHBISHOPS’ COUNCIL
Mr Michael Chamberlain to reply on behalf of the Presidents
The Revd Canon Simon Butler (Southwark) to ask the Presidents of the Archbishops’ Council:
Q1. Given that agreement between the Archbishops’ Council and QS4, under which QS4 is granted approved status for telecommunications installations in churches, expires in May 2007, what progress is being made to appoint/reappoint an approved installer for the next five years in terms of:
obtaining feedback from parishes that have used QS4 in the past five years; and
whether best practice is being/has been followed by inviting other companies to tender for the work?
Mr Frank Knaggs (Newcastle) to ask the Presidents of the Archbishops’ Council:
Q2. Whilst poorer dioceses (especially those in the Province of York) are very grateful for the generous level of financial support already provided to them by the wider Church, would the Archbishops’ Council consider promoting a review of the basis of the diocesan apportionments with a view to increasing the amount of the diocesan allocations further?
Mr Frank Knaggs (Newcastle) to ask the Presidents of the Archbishops’ Council:
Q3. Will the Archbishops’ Council consider promoting a review of the arrangements (including audit arrangements) in relation to diocesan allocations for poorer dioceses to ensure that they are used as effectively and efficiently as possible?
Mr Gavin Oldham (Oxford) to ask the Presidents of the Archbishops’ Council:
Q4. Bearing in mind the fact that most parish funds are reserved for long/medium term financial purposes but are predominantly held in short-term cash deposits, and that the management of the minority of parish funds that are based on stock market investment is effectively given to just one fund manager, is the Archbishops’ Council satisfied that parishes are exercising their fiduciary duty properly in terms of achieving the best performance reasonably obtainable for the moneys entrusted to their care?
Mrs Sue Slater (Lincoln) to ask the Presidents of the Archbishops’ Council:
Q5. In the Clergy Pension Review process was the option of an increased retirement age of 66.5 or 67 years considered, and what reasons were there for not pursuing it?
Mrs Sue Slater (Lincoln) to ask the Presidents of the Archbishops’ Council:
Q6. Is the Council satisfied that its analysis of the outcome of the clergy pension consultation process set out in GS 1645 is valid, since an alternative option indicated by the Clergy Pension Scheme’s actuaries for achieving the same saving as the Pension Task Group’s preferred option, without the need to remove the defined benefits link to stipends, by an increased retirement age of 66.5 or 67 years, with full pension based on 40ths, was included at some Diocesan consultations and not others?
Canon Dr Christina Baxter to reply on behalf of the Presidents:
Mrs Rosemary Lording (Hereford) to ask the Presidents of the Archbishops’ Council:
Q7. Can the Archbishops’ Council assure us that the Women in the Episcopate Legislative Drafting Group will bring draft legislation to the July 2007 Group of Sessions?
The Ven Geoffrey Arrand (St Edmundsbury & Ipswich) to ask the Presidents of the Archbishops’ Council:
Q8. Will the Archbishops’ Council consider bringing forward draft legislation to amend the Priests (Ordination of Women) Measure 1993 so as to remove the current ability of a single parish in a multi-parish benefice to prevent the appointment of a woman incumbent of that benefice (however large the benefice is)?
Mrs Anne Sloman to reply on behalf of the Presidents:
The Revd Stephen Lynas (Bath & Wells) to ask the Presidents of the Archbishops’ Council:
Q9. How many times has the General Synod Religion in Broadcasting Group met in the present quinquennium, and on what subjects has it made representations to the main terrestrial broadcasters?
The Revd Canon Alma Servant (Manchester) to ask the Presidents of the Archbishops’ Council:
Q10. In view of the strong feelings of protest expressed by many people about the BBC’s decision to reschedule Radio 3’s midweek Choral Evensong from Wednesday to Sunday, what steps have been taken to persuade the BBC that such a move will disenfranchise many listeners, detract from the notion of the ongoing worship of the Church, and add to the centralisation of broadcast worship on Sundays?
The Revd Prebendary David Houlding (London) to ask the Presidents of the Archbishops’ Council:
Q11. What representations has the Church made to the BBC – Radio 3 – to register its deep regret at the transference of Choral Evensong on a Wednesday to a Sunday afternoon and to pre-record it, rather than transmit it as a live broadcast as at present, and as it has been for the past half-century?
The Revd Stephen Coles (London) to ask the Presidents of the Archbishops’ Council:
Q12. What guidance does the Church of England give to individual dioceses regarding the content of statements appropriate for their own web sites?
Mrs Gillian Ambrose (Ely) to ask the Presidents of the Archbishops’ Council:
Q13. Given that chapter two of the book The Future of the Parish System, recently published by Church House Publishing, draws attention to the stress on clergy caused by ‘difficult people’, and given that the Clergy Discipline Measure might be seen as another tool in the armoury of such difficult people, are there any plans to introduce a ‘Laity Discipline Measure’?
Mr Philip Fletcher to reply on behalf of the Presidents:
Mr John Ashwin (Chichester) to ask the Presidents of the Archbishops’ Council:
Q14. Are there plans to publish a cheaper version of the excellent Times and Seasons on the lines of the clothbound versions of Lent, Holy Week, Easter and The Promise of His Glory that would enable lay people to buy a copy, and if not why not?
The Archbishop of York to reply:
The Revd Paul Benfield (Blackburn) to ask the Presidents of the Archbishops’ Council:
Q15. What consultations were held with HM Government and within the Church of England prior to the enactment of sections 255 and 259 of the Civil Partnership Act 2004, which provide that a Minister of the Crown may by order amend, repeal or revoke Church of England legislation without reference to the General Synod or the Ecclesiastical Committee of Parliament?
The Revd Paul Benfield (Blackburn) to ask the Presidents of the Archbishops’ Council:
Q16. What consultations have taken place with HM Government and within the Church of England prior to the making of Orders under sections 255 or 259 of the Civil Partnership Act 2004?
The Archbishop of Canterbury to reply:
Mr Andrew Presland (Peterborough) to ask the Presidents of the Archbishops’ Council:
Q17. Does the Council regard the transitional period proposed to be given by the Government for the Roman Catholic adoption agencies “to adapt” to the requirements of the Sexual Orientation Regulations as:
a time in which faith groups are expected to rewrite their teachings so as to conform with the Government’s own agenda;
time to fall in line with the idea that the Government has reversed the long-standing principle that it should not be illegal for someone to act in accordance with his or her conscience; or
something else?
Mrs Alison Wynne (Blackburn) to ask the Presidents of the Archbishops’ Council:
Q18. In the light of fears that the introduction of the proposed Sexual Orientation Regulations for England, Wales and Scotland will severely hinder freedom of conscience, what representations has the Archbishops’ Council made, or will it now make, to the Government concerning those regulations?
Mrs Sarah Finch (London) to ask the Presidents of the Archbishops’ Council:
Q19. In view of the threat to freedom of conscience posed by the introduction of Sexual Orientation Regulations, is the Archbishops’ Council pressing for urgent further consultations with the Government, in order to preserve one of the most precious freedoms we enjoy in this country?
Mrs Sarah Finch (London) to ask the Presidents of the Archbishops’ Council:
Q20. What consultations is the Archbishops’ Council having with other faith groups in the United Kingdom, with a view to joint discussion with the Government to preserve our freedom of conscience?
HOUSE OF BISHOPS
The Archbishop of Canterbury to reply:
Mr Clive Scowen (London) to ask the Chairman of the House of Bishops:
Q21. In the light of the open letter written by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York in the context of public discussion on the draft Sexual Orientation Regulations, what action will now be taken by the House of Bishops publicly to advocate and defend the freedom of Christians and other people of faith (both as individuals and collectively) to live and work in accordance with the principles and convictions of their faith?
The Archbishop of York to reply as Chairman of the House of Bishops’ Standing Committee:
Mr Robert Hammond (Chelmsford) to ask the Chairman of the House of Bishops:
Q22. Noting how some of the words and actions of the celebrities in the Big Brother house, although apparently not intended to be, were perceived by the media and public as being racist, is the House of Bishops aware that some of its words and actions (like those of other Church leaders) about same-sex relationships may be perceived by the media, public and gay and lesbian Christians as being homophobic, and assuming that this is not its intention, what action is being taken to change this perception?
The Revd Canon Christopher Sugden (Oxford) to ask the Chairman of the House of Bishops:
Q23. Now that the House of Bishops has met since the ordination by the Bishop of Dunedin of a practising homosexual, and given the refusal of the Bishops of the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia to act with reference to this, has the House considered the implications of this for fellowship between the Church of England and the Anglican Church in Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia and, if so, what view did the House reach?
Miss Vasantha Gnanadoss (Southwark) to ask the Chairman of the House of Bishops:
Q24. In view of the risk that documents and photographs from church sources could be used by political parties to promote their political agendas, will the House of Bishops agree to issue specific guidance to bishops, clergy and others to help them avoid that possibility arising, especially in relation to parties of the far right?
Mr Colin Slater (Southwell & Nottingham) to ask the Chairman of the House of Bishops:
Q25. In view of widespread public disquiet caused by such actions as (a) British Airways’ decision, later rescinded, to suspend an employee for wearing a Christian cross while on duty and (b) the failure to include a single Christian symbol in the special Christmas postage stamps issued in 2006, will the House of Bishops share with the Synod what lessons can be learned from these, and other, examples and any advice and guidance they can offer from their own insights?
The Bishop of London to reply as Chairman of the House of Bishops’ Environment Panel:
Mr Ian Smith (York) to ask the Chairman of the House of Bishops:
Q26. In view of the Synod’s earlier encouragement that the Church of England should attempt to become greener, and the Bishop of London’s splendid recent example about not travelling by air, will the House of Bishops agree to commit its members to a policy of not using short-haul flights on church-related business?
The Bishop of London to reply as a member of the House of Bishops’ Standing Committee:
The Revd Peter Hobson (Leicester) to ask the Chairman of the House of Bishops:
Q27. In the light of the House of Bishops’ recent general agreement (as reported in HB(07)M1 para 9) that, in the event of the Church Commissioners having less money to distribute, less priority should be given to the Parish Mission Fund, what were the other spending categories which were considered more worthy of protection, and did the House at the same time make any further comment on its commitment to supporting fresh expressions and other mission-shaped activities at local and parish level?
Mr Andrew Presland (Peterborough) to ask the Chairman of the House of Bishops:
Q28. Has the House considered the nature of the signal which will be sent to the wider Church regarding the importance of the Great Commission as a result of its agreeing that the Church Commissioners should give lower priority to sustaining the parish mission fund than to any other spending category?
The Bishop of Leicester to reply as a member of the House of Bishops’ Standing Committee:
Ms Susan Cooper (London) to ask the Chairman of the House of Bishops:
Q29. Has the House of Bishops considered how it might include amongst its number someone who exercises their main ministry within secular employment?
The Bishop of Dover to reply on behalf of the Chairman:
Mr Steven Mitchell (Derby) to ask the Chairman of the House of Bishops:
Q30. With the distressing news that of 21 industrialised countries Britain’s children are the unhappiest in the western world (Unicef Report Card 7: an Overview of Child Wellbeing in Rich Countries), how does the House of Bishops intend to lead the church at national and local level so it can fully play its part in reversing this trend and ensure that in all walks of life, including both at home and in school, children are taught good moral standards and find the love and guidance that leads to the fulfilment and joy which the gospel assures us is available to them?
Dr Anna Thomas-Betts (Oxford) to ask the Chairman of the House of Bishops:
Q31. Now that the General Synod has approved Regulations relating to the admission of baptized children to Holy Communion, would the House of Bishops consider producing material that sets out the Church of England’s current teaching on infant baptism, confirmation and admission to Holy Communion, to help promote conformity with the Regulations and avoid confusion about the meaning and significance of confirmation?
The Bishop of Ripon & Leeds to reply as a member of the Bishops’ Committee for Ministry:
Mrs Gillian Ambrose (Ely) to ask the Chairman of the House of Bishops:
Q32. Noting that many organisations (for example Transport for London, most railway companies, many restaurants and pubs) display signs informing the public that they will not ‘tolerate any abuse of our staff’, will the House of Bishops, with the help of the HR department of the Archbishops’ Council, consider how they might effectively offer protection to clergy who are experiencing bullying and harassment in the workplace?
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
Mr Adrian Greenwood (Southwark) to ask the Chairman of the House of Bishops:
Q33. Will the House agree to circulate the report on Ordained Local Ministry schemes which was considered by the House at its recent meeting and is referred to at HB(97)M1 item 2(d) or, failing that, provide a written summary of the contents and any agreed next steps?
The Bishop of Guildford to reply as a member of the House of Bishops’ Standing Committee:
Mrs Alison Ruoff (London) to ask the Chairman of the House of Bishops:
Q34. Has any use been made of the work done by Mr Hugh Sinclair in his wide-ranging diocesan survey on the use of cathedrals for masonic events – namely meetings and services?
The Bishop of Manchester to reply as Chairman of the Women Bishops Legislative Drafting Group:
Dr Susan Atkin (Chelmsford) to ask the Chairman of the House of Bishops:
Q35. Will the House of Bishops please ask the Women Bishops Legislative Drafting Group to gather evidence from those women bishops already appointed in other Provinces of the Anglican Communion concerning the provisions made, if any, for those unable to accept the ministry of women bishops?
The Revd Hugh Lee (Oxford) to ask the Chairman of the House of Bishops:
Q36. In view of the answer given to my question in July 2006 by the Bishop of Guildford, as Chairman of the House of Bishops’ Women Bishops Group, is the House aware that many male priests, as well as women priests, would find it very difficult to continue to accept the ministry of a bishop who is opposed to the ordination of women and that it is mistaken to suggest that only women priests are concerned about this issue?
The Revd Prebendary David Houlding (London) to ask the Chairman of the House of Bishops:
Q37. The Preamble to the Episcopal Ministry Act of Synod 1993 stated that the General Synod regarded it as desirable that all concerned should endeavour to ensure that “discernment in the wider Church of the rightness or otherwise of the Church of England’s decision to ordain women to the priesthood should be as open a process as possible”; and Resolution III.2 of the Lambeth Conference 1998 called on Provinces of the Communion “to uphold the principle of ‘Open Reception’ as it relates to the ordination of women to the priesthood as indicated by the Eames Commission; noting that ‘reception is a long and spiritual process’ (Grindrod Report)”. Can it be confirmed that, in the view of the House of Bishops, these statements continue to reflect the position of the Church of England in regard to the ordination of women to the priesthood?
SECRETARY GENERAL
The Revd Canon Simon Bessant (Blackburn) to ask the Secretary General:
Q38. The Church of England Yearbook 2007 has a changed order of contents from previous editions, whereby the dioceses now precede the national structures. Who made this decision and what ecclesiological issues lie behind it?
Mr John Pope (Chichester) to ask the Secretary General:
Q39. How many parishes have petitioned under the Episcopal Ministry Act of Synod 1993?
Mr Robert Hammond (Chelmsford) to ask the Secretary General:
Q40. As the Church apparently wants informed lay people in secular employment to bring their skills and current practical knowledge and experience of work to national and diocesan boards and committees, and is encouraging younger people in the early stages of their career to become more involved, will the Secretary General undertake to ensure that more meetings of bodies accountable to the Synod are held at times and places which better suit working laity and do not entail either taking yet more of limited annual leave nor stretching their employers’ generosity, flexibility and good-will to near breaking point?
The Revd Stephen Coles (London) to ask the Secretary General:
Q41. As the Established Church of this country, how does the Church of England assist Her Majesty’s Government when it is preparing legislation in discerning between the unmasking of prejudice and the protection of genuine matters of conscience?
Mr Clive Scowen (London) to ask the Secretary General:
Q42. Whenever written representations are made to Government, Parliament or any other public body on behalf of the Church of England, will arrangements be put in place for informing members of the General Synod of the existence of those representations and how they can be found (for example, by listing them in regular mailings and/or email communications, and indicating how they can be found on the Church of England web site)?
Mr Anthony Archer (St Albans) to ask the Secretary General:
Q43. What is the date of the next meeting of the Doctrine Commission?
The Revd Stephen Trott (Peterborough) to ask the Secretary General:
Q44. What efforts are being made to reduce the energy requirements of the central offices of the Church of England at Church House?
The Revd Stephen Trott (Peterborough) to ask the Secretary General:
Q45. Has consideration been given to the possibility of reducing the number of journeys by air travel on church-related activities being undertaken by representatives of the Church of England’s national bodies?
Dr Edmund Marshall (Wakefield) to ask the Secretary General:
Q46. Approximately how many parishes of the Church of England have the benefit of chancel repair liability?
Mr Paul Boyd-Lee (Salisbury) to ask the Secretary General:
Q47. Are records maintained centrally which show how many dioceses have in the past 5 years considered either mortgaging clergy houses or borrowing against them and, if they are, what is the number of dioceses concerned?
The Revd Canon Tony Walker (Southwell & Nottingham) to ask the Secretary General:
Q48. In view of 2007 being the last year that a person can be elected churchwarden if he or she has been churchwarden for more than six consecutive years in the same parish, unless a meeting of the parishioners has made a specific decision to opt out of the six year rule, what recommendations have been made or might be made to help parishes with small and/or elderly congregations to take succession planning seriously and encourage new people to take on the key lay leadership role of churchwarden?
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
Dr Susan Atkin (Chelmsford) to ask the Secretary General:
Q49. Given that the latest available data is as at March 2004 and that this is essential background information, can the Statistics Unit be asked to provide up-to-date information on the number of parishes that have passed Resolutions A or B under the Priests (Ordination of Women) Measure or petitioned for extended Episcopal oversight under the Episcopal Ministry Act of Synod in time for the next General Synod debate on women in the episcopate?
CLERK TO THE SYNOD
Mr Roy Thompson (York) to ask the Clerk to the Synod:
Q50. What proposals are there to deal with the shortage of display space for supporting church groups both in Church House, where there is only one small room, and York, where the groups are offered space in a college routinely visited by only a small percentage of Synod members?
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
The Revd Nicola Milford (Exeter) to ask the Clerk to the Synod:
Q51. 482 members of Synod drinking 4 cups of tea/coffee out of disposable cups on each of 4 days of General Synod sittings could involve 7,712 cups going into landfill. With respect and understanding to all who cater for us, has consideration been given to the possibility of Synod members using cups that will go through the dishwasher?
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
The Revd Nicola Milford (Exeter) to ask the Clerk to the Synod:
Q52. Has consideration been given to the possibility of using the multimedia facilities at Church House and York University to provide orders of service for worship, rather than printing them out on paper?
BOARD OF EDUCATION
The Bishop of Dover to reply as Acting Chairman of the Board of Education:
Mr Peter LeRoy (Bath & Wells) to ask the Chairman of the Board of Education:
Q53. Further to the public statement of concern by the Archbishop of Canterbury, what actions were taken or expressions of support given by the Education Division and the higher education chaplaincies it advises and supports to those courageous Christian union students whose faithful orthodoxy, distinctiveness and Gospel witness has been singled out for discriminatory and restrictive action by a number of student unions and guilds?
CATHEDRALS AND CHURCH BUILDINGS DIVISION
The Bishop of London to reply:
Miss Fay Wilson-Rudd (Bath & Wells) to ask the Chairman of the Cathedral and Church Buildings Division:
Q54. Can the Division say whether it supports the current online petition to the Prime Minister asking for public help to meet the cost of repairs to church buildings to help preserve our national heritage?
COUNCIL FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY
The Bishop of Peterborough to reply:
Dr Edmund Marshall (Wakefield) to ask the Chairman of the Council for Christian Unity:
Q55. What stage has the compilation of the agenda for the next round of discussions in the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Commission now reached?
The Revd Canon Simon Bessant (Blackburn) to ask the Chairman of the Council for Christian Unity:
Q56. According to new research funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), Pentecostals now outnumber Methodists at church services in England. Whilst recognizing the complicated ecclesial and social structures of Pentecostalism, what strategies does the Council for Christian Unity have to develop as strong ecumenical ties with the growing Pentecostal movement as we currently enjoy with our Methodist brothers and sisters?
MINISTRY DIVISION
The Bishop of Derby to reply on behalf of the Chairman:
Mr Steven Mitchell (Derby) to ask the Chairman of the Ministry Division:
Q57. What regard is being taken of the challenges presented in the recent Grove booklet by Bill Bolton on The Entrepreneur and the Church (Pastoral series 107) to identify gifted entrepreneurs within the Church and to develop their gifts with a view to promoting church planting and other types of church growth?
Canon Harry Marsh (Chelmsford) to ask the Chairman of the Ministry Division:
Q58. Following the earlier discussion at Synod about the unsuitability of the title NSM (non-stipendiary minister) commonly given to those clergy without a stipend, has there now been a policy decision in this matter and, if there has, by whom was it made and has it been disseminated widely?
Mr Nigel Chetwood (Gloucester) to ask the Chairman of the Ministry Division:
Q59. Residential training of ordinands was regarded historically as encouraging the formation of ministry in the students. Now many married clergy live off-campus and many others train non-residentially on courses. Has any work been done to assess the impact of this change?
Mr Anthony Archer (St Albans) to ask the Chairman of the Ministry Division:
Q60. What plans exist to review the operation of the Bishops’ Agreed Maximum for theological colleges and, in the absence of such, what assurances can be given that it is currently serving the Church of England in general and ordination in particular appropriately?
Mr Roy Thompson (York) to ask the Chairman of the Ministry Division:
Q61. What is the policy generally adopted by the Ministry Division on the upper age limit for acceptance to train for Readership and how has that age limit changed over the last ten years?
Dr Anna Thomas-Betts (Oxford) to ask the Chairman of the Ministry Division:
Q62. What steps does the Ministry Division propose to take to avoid a recurrence of the budgetary difficulties, and associated hardship, that arose for theological colleges at the beginning of this financial year as a result of the drastic cuts in fee levels to which they were subject at short notice?
Dr Peter Capon (Manchester) to ask the Chairman of the Ministry Division:
Q63. Will the Chairman of the Ministry Division assure the Synod that the proposed block grant funding of theological training will not result in cuts in the overall level of grants to training institutions?
Dr Peter Capon (Manchester) to ask the Chairman of the Ministry Division:
Q64. Will the Chairman of the Ministry Division explain why the proposed block grant funding of theological training assumes residential colleges will subsidise every ordinand from their own resources, regardless of whether such resources exist?
The Bishop of Ripon & Leeds to reply on behalf of the Chairman of the Ministry Division:
Mr Peter LeRoy (Bath & Wells) to ask the Chairman of the Ministry Division:
Q65. Does the Ministry Division have any further evidence since 2004 of progress being made across all dioceses in implementing the specific recommendations in the Clergy Terms of Service Report (GS 1564) that effective annual Ministerial Development Review should give some expression to mutual accountability within the Church as the Body of Christ by involving some advance lay participation from the area of ministry, and also by making use of lay gifts and experience within the team of reviewers?
The Bishop of Ripon & Leeds to reply as Chairman of the Deployment, Remuneration and Conditions of Service Committee:
Mr Gerald O’Brien (Rochester) to ask the Chairman of the Ministry Division:
Q66. What proportion of Church of England clergy of incumbent status are respectively:
full time stipendiary;
part time stipendiary;
non-stipendiary?
Ms Susan Cooper (London) to ask the Chairman of the Ministry Division:
Q67. How many clergy, split by male and female and stipendiary and non-stipendiary, retired during 2006?
The Revd Canon Alan Hargrave (Ely) to ask the Chairman of the Ministry Division:
Q68. Given the imbalance in the number of applicants for clerical posts in places of urban deprivation and isolated rural areas compared to city centre, middle-class suburbia, and other more popular areas of ministry:
what consideration has the Ministry Division given to the theological issues raised by this imbalance;
what plans does the Ministry Division have to address this issue; and
in particular, has the Ministry Division considered a system of encouraging clergy to take up posts in unpopular areas by setting stipend levels in inverse proportion to the number of people who apply for the job?
The Revd Canon Susan Penfold (Wakefield) to ask the Chairman of the Deployment, Remuneration and Conditions of Service Committee:
Q69. On the basis of anecdotal evidence it has recently been suggested in an Anglican journal that the majority of the ordinations to the stipendiary diaconate in the Northern Province in 2006 were of women.
Is this correct; and
if the proportion was significantly different from the national figure, has consideration been given to whether this is a one-off occurrence or part of a wider trend?
The Ven Julian Henderson (Guildford) to ask the Chairman of the Deployment, Remuneration and Conditions of Service Committee:
Q70. Given the encouraging statements in sections 65-67 of GS 1645 about a report to the Archbishops’ Council in the summer on the subject of the ‘Sheffield Formula’, would DRACSC consider including in that report a new alternative to the ‘Sheffield Formula’ that takes into account all forms of ordained ministry, not just stipendiary, and that promotes and stimulates growth in all the dioceses of the Church of England? If so, could that alternative be available for debate by the Synod this summer?
MISSION AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS COUNCIL
The Bishop of Southwark to reply as Vice-Chairman for Public Affairs:
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
Mr Adrian Greenwood (Southwark) to ask the Chairman of the Mission and Public Affairs Council:
Q71. Can the Council give an up-to-date report on the progress with re-launching the Church Urban Fund and an indication of whether or not this is going to plan?
Dr John Dinnen (Hereford) to ask the Chairman of the Mission and Public Affairs Council:
Q72. Acknowledging the support that the Archbishop of Canterbury and other church leaders showed to the Palestinian people by their pilgrimage to Bethlehem, is the Mission and Public Affairs Council making representations to the British and Israeli Governments about the building of the separation wall on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, cutting towns like Bethlehem off from their farmland and from Jerusalem, and impeding pilgrimage and tourism?
Dr John Dinnen (Hereford) to ask the Chairman of the Mission and Public Affairs Council:
Q73. What steps has the Mission and Public Affairs Council taken to support the people of Palestine and Israel in the search for peace and justice, since the July 2002 resolution of this Synod which called on Israel to withdraw from Occupied Palestinian Territories and for the Palestinian Authority to condemn suicide bombing?
The Revd Peter Spiers (Liverpool) to ask the Chairman of the Mission and Public Affairs Council:
Q74. What response has the Council made to the Conservatives’ report in December 2006 entitled Breakdown Britain?
Mr Gavin Oldham (Oxford) to ask the Chairman of the Mission and Public Affairs Council:
Q75. In view of the difficult choices imposed by self-denying pledges to avoid use of flights which contribute to climate change – of either imposing limitations on global communion and international dialogue or suffering significant reductions in productivity due to the use of slow surface transport – and in view of the inevitable and increasing demand for air transport which arises from the high level of global migration, would the Mission and Public Affairs Council consider an intensive and prophetic dialogue with the aviation industry and others to explore what other means are available – both behavioural and technical – to reduce their contribution to global warming?
The Revd Paul Collier (Southwark) to ask the Chairman of the Mission and Public Affairs Council:
Q76. Is it part of the Shrinking the Footprint initiative to facilitate an exchange of ideas and good practice among the dioceses, and will consideration be given to further development of the Shrinking the Footprint web site to help achieve this?
Mr Gerald O’Brien (Rochester) to ask the Chairman of the Mission and Public Affairs Council:
Q77. In reply to my question in November about the work being undertaken to assess the social effects of the rapidly growing gambling industry and the related moral issues, the Bishop of Southwark enumerated a number of items with which the Church of England had “associated itself”, on which it had “expressed concern”, which it was “monitoring”, on which it had “responded to a consultation” and with which it was “keeping in touch”. What tangible results has the Council identified as having been achieved by this activity?
Miss Vasantha Gnanadoss (Southwark) to ask the Chairman of the Mission and Public Affairs Council:
Q78. Recalling that, in the February 2004 resolution about asylum, in which the Mission and Public Affairs Council was requested to study the arguments about a more positive approach to asylum seekers, the Council was also requested to ‘report to this Synod on its findings and the action it has taken’, why has its publication entitled A Place of Refuge not been debated here yet?
The Bishop of Bristol to reply as Vice-Chairman for Mission:
The Revd Canon Simon Butler (Southwark) to ask the Chairman of the Mission and Public Affairs Council:
Q79. What work is going on by the Church of England, either alone or with ecumenical partners, to prepare for the mission and pastoral opportunities that will be provided by the 2012 Olympic Games?
CLERGY DISCIPLINE COMMISSION
His Honour Judge John Bullimore to reply as Deputy Chairman of the Clergy Discipline Commission:
The Ven Philip Down (Canterbury) to ask the Chairman of the Clergy Discipline Commission:
Q80. How many complaints were brought under the Clergy Discipline Measure in 2006 and how many of these were eventually dismissed by the Bishop after preliminary scrutiny?
The Ven Philip Down (Canterbury) to ask the Chairman of the Clergy Discipline Commission:
Q81. In circumstances where a person in Orders is having to live with the stress of merely being threatened with a complaint under the CDM, would the Commission give consideration to a process whereby the respondent could institute proceedings against the prospective complainant demanding that a complaint be brought, under the Measure, within the same 28-day period that undergirds the rest of the Measure?
CROWN NOMINATIONS COMMISSION
The Archbishop of Canterbury to reply:
Dr Philip Giddings (Oxford) to ask the Chairman of the Crown Nominations Commission:
Q82. In the light of the anxieties caused in the Diocese of Oxford and elsewhere by the long gap between the meeting of the CNC at the end of July and the eventual announcement of the bishop-designate’s name in December, will the Chairman explain the reasons for the length of time taken and what steps have been taken to avoid such a long gap in future appointments?
CHURCH COMMISSIONERS
Mr Andreas Whittam Smith to reply as First Church Estates Commissioner:
The Revd Mark Ireland (Lichfield) to ask the Church Commissioners:
Q83. In view of the success of the Parish Mission Initiatives funding stream from the Church Commissioners in generating fruitful mission, evangelism and church growth, could you confirm that this fund will not be reduced in order to pay for any overspend on bishops’ support?
The Revd Canon Anne Stevens (Southwark) to ask the Church Commissioners:
Q84. What is the total cost for the last five years incurred by the Commissioners in the settlement of employment disputes or claims, or in reaching compromise agreements in relation to such matters?
The Revd Hugh Lee (Oxford) to ask the Church Commissioners:
Q85. What advice and encouragement do the Church Commissioners give to the tenants and/or occupiers of properties that they own, or have an interest in, to shrink their carbon footprint and to obtain their gas and electricity from a fair trade supplier, and does this advice and encouragement extend to the residences of bishops and other clergy?
Mr Timothy Walker to reply as Third Church Estates Commissioner:
The Revd Canon Anne Stevens (Southwark) to ask the Church Commissioners:
Q86. Noting from the 2005 Annual Report that some £37 million has been raised from the sale of redundant churches since 1969, which equates to just over £1 million a year, could the Commissioners say how much the central administration of redundant church matters (including staff costs) has cost in each of the last five years, and what steps are the Commissioners taking to reduce these costs to increase the return to the church from this source of funding?
The Revd Mark Ireland (Lichfield) to ask the Church Commissioners:
Q87. How much Church Commissioners money is budgeted to be spent on the support of bishops and their houses in 2007, and how does this compare with the actual figure spent in 2005? If there has been an overspend on bishops and their houses, how is it proposed to claw the money back in the next triennium?
PENSIONS BOARD
Mr Allan Bridgewater to reply:
The Revd Peter Spiers (Liverpool) to ask the Chairman of the Pensions Board:
Q88. Can the Board explain how they can justify the range of their properties for occupation under licence around the country?
The Bishop of Chester (Bishops) to ask the Chairman of the Pensions Board:
Q89. What are the capital sums which would represent the pension and lump sum payable to a male priest who has achieved a full service pension at age 65:
under the present arrangements; and
as proposed in GS 1645,
and what percentage reduction would exist between these sums?