This report gives an overview of the July meeting of General Synod, highlighting some of the key issues, discussions and decisions considered during the meeting. It brings together contributions from the Diocese of Gloucester’s General Synod representatives and gives a flavour of the matters discussed and debated.
The report has been prepared by:
- The Ven Katrina Scott
- The Revd Dana Delap
- The Revd James Turk
- Karen Czapiewski
- Ellie Grice
- Robert Mc Neill-Wilson
- Margaret Sheather
“Introduction
“This last session of the current General Synod was a very busy one, with items from all aspects of the Synod’s business: legislation, Private Members’ Motions, a Diocesan Synod Motion, organisational topics and liturgical business.
“This report covers a range of specific items that we thought were of particular interest. As always, all the reports can be found on the Church of England website and the relevant report numbers are shown alongside the items below.
“As this Synod ends, the process begins for elections to the next one. If you are an elector (lay members of deanery synods and all clergy) look out for information about this process and particularly for emails from Civica, which runs the voting process, and do vote!
“Same Sex Relationships’ compatibility with Christian Discipleship – GS 2455 A and B
“General Synod debated a Private Members’ Motion which sought to affirm that there are no fundamental objections to being in a committed, faithful, intimate same-sex relationship, and that such a relationship can be entirely compatible with Christian discipleship. The proposer of the motion’s intention was to offer the opportunity for a pastoral statement following the conclusion of the formal Living in Love and Faith process.
“The debate and the result reflected the continuing diversity of theological conviction within the Church of England on matters of sexuality and relationships. Following debate, the motion received an overall majority of votes but did not pass because it failed to secure a majority in the House of Bishops, as required under Synod’s voting procedures.
“The further work agreed in February on the Prayers of Love and Faith and clergy same-sex marriage continues.
“Kairos Palestine GS 2451 A and B
“General Synod debated a Diocesan Synod Motion relating to Kairos Palestine, two documents reflecting the experiences and perspectives of Palestinian Christians, asking Synod to respond to their call. There was a wide range of views expressed, some strongly supportive, others equally strongly opposed and still others wanting a better balance to reflect concerns about antisemitism. During the debate, a number of amendments were agreed which reshaped the motion before the final vote and helping to address some of the concerns expressed.
“Rather than endorsing the document, Synod agreed to “hear” the voices and experiences of Palestinian Christians through the Kairos documents, while standing in solidarity with them and recognising the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict on all those affected. The motion also affirmed the need to reject antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred, lamented the loss of Israeli and Palestinian lives, and encouraged continued prayer and engagement in the search for a just and lasting peace. The amended motion was carried by all three Houses.
“Update from Lead Safeguarding Bishop – GS 2460 and 2467, GS Misc 1466
“Bishop Robert’s presentation was supported by two reports: an update from the Makin Review Task and Finish Group and the National Safeguarding Team (NST)general update. The Makin group monitors progress in implementing the many recommendations from that review. The Group has found substantial progress with 14 of the 27 recommendations complete and active work continuing on the remaining 13. The NST report covers a wide range of its substantial workload. A GS Misc report was also available on progress with new safeguarding structures.
“In presenting the reports and wider safeguarding issues, Bishop Robert referred to the church’s commitment to victims and survivors and to the Nolan standards of conduct in public life and how these are implemented in our safeguarding work. There was a lively Q and A session covering a range of issues including different views about how potential mandatory reporting of allegations of abuse relates to the practice of individual confession.
“Synod also approved the Abuse Redress Rules, which is the final stage to enable the implementation of the Abuse Redress Scheme.
“All Kinds of Minds: Affirming Neurodiversity in the Life of the Church GS 2444
“General Synod debated a motion brought by the Committee for the Ministry of and among Deaf and Disabled People, arising from the work of its Neurodiversity Working Group. Presenting the motion, Fiona MacMillan drew on her own diagnoses of ADHD, Tourette’s and autism, and living with difficulties affecting, for example, reading body language, and being ‘face blind’. She also spoke of the gifts associated with diversity and coming to understand herself as “fearfully, wonderfully and intentionally made by God”.
“A number of neurodivergent clergy and lay members spoke powerfully about their experiences, including Revd Stuart Cradduck highlighting gifts such as recognising patterns and challenging assumptions, while observing that these can be overlooked because institutions still fail to recognise the full spectrum of intelligence, creativity, communication and leadership within the Body of Christ.
“The motion affirmed neurodivergent people as a blessing to the Church and called for barriers to their flourishing to be challenged. It supported neurodivergent-led training, inclusive policies and practices, the appointment of appropriately supported Neurodiversity Champions in every diocese, and greater listening to neurodivergent people in local churches. The motion was warmly supported and carried.
“National Church Governance Measure GS 2360W
“This report of the Legislative Committee arose from Parliament’s Ecclesiastical Committee finding the National Church Governance Measure “not expedient” ie they were not willing to recommend its approval to parliament. The Ecclesiastical Committee had raised concerns about delegated powers, financial accountability and the proposed charitable objects of the new Church of England National Services body but its principal concern was to see further progress in the independent structure and funding of safeguarding before the more general structure of the church was agreed. As these points were very complex to address, the Legislative Committee has withdrawn the Measure which Synod had approved in July 2025.
“The Committee had also noted that, to preserve momentum, some governance improvements could proceed without legislation, including changes to the Archbishops’ Council’s membership and committee structures, greater Synod involvement in spending plans, and strengthened scrutiny arrangements.
“The motion that Synod take note of this Report was carried.
“Archbishops’ Council Annual Report (GS 2453)
“General Synod received the Archbishops’ Council’s Annual Report for 2025, a regular item of business covering its work, priorities and finances. The report recorded income of approximately £230 million and the distribution of more than £192 million in grants to dioceses, parishes and partner organisations. It also highlighted increased church attendance and work towards the Council’s objectives, including revitalising parishes, developing younger and more diverse congregations, safeguarding and sustainability.
“Ian Johnston welcomed the new financial arrangements agreed in 2025 but drew attention to the serious position of diocesan finances, with 37 of the 42 dioceses budgeting for substantial deficits in 2026 [totalling £80 million]. He argued that the National Funding for Diocesan Ministry Project should be radical and urged the Council’s reporting to focus more fully on measurable results, rather than simply describing investments and positive activity.
“Penny Allen made the case for financial planning and funding allocations to operate over much longer horizons. This closely echoed Gloucester’s own DSM on Financial Modelling for the Future Funding of Ministry. Synod voted to take note of the Annual Report.
“Support for Looked-After Children and Those in Care (GS 2452)
“General Synod debated a Private Member’s Motion brought by Billy-Jo O’Leary of Rochester, who drew on her own experience of growing up in care. The motion recognised the enormous challenges facing looked-after children and care-experienced young adults. It called upon the House of Bishops to appoint a lead bishop to ensure that their voices are heard and asked dioceses to take proportionate action to support them and those who care for them.
“Speakers highlighted the disproportionate representation of care-experienced people in the criminal justice system and the damaging “cliff edges” in support as young people enter adulthood. Although qualifying care leavers may receive local authority support up to the age of 25, its nature and extent vary considerably. More positively, members also spoke of the proportionately higher contribution made by care-experienced people within the caring professions and the Church, including ordained ministry.
“The motion was amended to refer expressly to supporting those who care for looked-after children and was carried unanimously. One practical outcome locally was a commitment for the Diocese of Gloucester to participate in the “26 for 26” initiative. Originating in Plymouth, this aims to encourage 26 new foster carers to come forward in the participant diocese during 2026, while mobilising churches to provide practical, emotional and relational support around foster families and the children in their care.
“Hope for All Creation – Carbon Net Zero & related matters GS 2450, 2418, 2461
“One of the Marks of Mission, often referred to as the fifth mark, is to treasure – that is to strive to safeguard – the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth. Being stewards of the earth is an integral part of our faith in our Creator God. The importance of God as creator, and of the world created, were echoed primarily in four items at Synod.
“The Festival of Creation in Christ is to be added to the church calendar on the first Sunday in September. In early work on this, the festival had been God the Creator, but this revised name aligns with its ecumenical adoption and identifies Christ’s presence at creation.
“Hope for all Creation is a teaching document from the House of Bishops presented by the Faith and Order Commission. The holistic approach adopted in the document encourages engagement with the reality we face and discernment of a new future. Its message is powerful as it seeks to understand the climate crisis through the lived experience of those most badly affected.[1]
“Synod received a Net Zero Carbon Programme Progress Report 2023-2025. This was a commentary on progress made since the challenge of the church becoming Net Zero Carbon by 2030, and the subsequent adoption of a Routemap to achieve that target. Progress to the end of 2025 has been particularly encouraging at parish level, with over one-third of churches now engaged with eco-church and two thirds submitting their annual energy data. Progress in other areas has been more challenging, but the rate of emissions reduction is said to equate to 3.7% per year indicating that aiming for 2030 is still ambitious. However, there is a realistic possibility of achieving the target reduction by the Government’s Climate Change target date of 2050. Synod noted the good progress being made.
“Synod debated a Private Members Motion: Protecting Nature on Church Commissioners’ Land in line with the scale and urgency of the climate and biodiversity crises. There was an engaging presentation and lively debate, with much of the emphasis being on one of the goals of the Global Biodiversity Framework: ‘30 by 30’, aiming to protect 30% of land for nature by 2030. Important considerations raised were the other uses of land, such as food production, housing and renewable energy, and the trustee responsibilities of the Church Commissioners to maintain the value of assets. There was, however, significant sympathy and support for the principle of treasuring God’s creation and an amended motion, supportive of positive actions and requiring reports on activities and outcomes, was passed.”
Ven Katrina Scott
Revd Dana Delap
Revd James Turk
Karen Czapiewski
Ellie Grice
Robert Mc Neill-Wilson
Margaret Sheather
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