Standing Committee big decisions: June

National Register Canon 2004 debated

Standing Committee moved to support the concept of a National Register of clergy and laypeople, but in a revised form from that adopted at General Synod in 2004. It would no longer be a ‘white pages’ of all clergy, but would be limited to information about clergy and laypersons who have been found to have engaged in child abuse or sexual abuse of an adult.

Standing Committee agreed that, except for laypersons who have been refused ordination, or clergy who have been refused a licence or authority because of an adverse risk assessment, information included on the register should not extend to other persons.

It further agreed that notification should not be made when allegations are received, but only upon completion of disciplinary proceedings arising from a written complaint that a member of clergy or a layperson has engaged in child abuse or sexual abuse of an adult.

New appointments to Standing Committee and General Synod

The Rev Zac Veron was appointed to Standing Committee as a qualified minister elected by the members of Synod and a person in Holy Orders. Mr Veron has been a member of Standing Committee, as a minister elected by Georges River Regional Electors. This membership would have ended with his departure from the parish of St George North later this year.

Two laymembers and two clerical members were elected as Sydney representatives to the General Synod. Professor Chris Bellenger and Mark Payne were elected as laymembers and Bishop Alan Stewart and the Rev Sarie King were elected as clerical members.
Parishes commended for property

The parishes of Asquith and Fairy Meadow were commended for their initiatives in their management of property: St John’s Asquith/Mt Colah/Mt Kuring-gai on their bold initiative in purchasing land that became available on the north side of the property, and Fairy Meadow Anglican Church for its rationalisation of properties and development of ministry, approving in principle the sale of the parish rectory. Standing Committee looked forward to further discussing how the funds from the sale should be managed.

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