Some members cheered as they left the synod meeting, others were more circumspect. In a first for the world-wide Anglican Communion, the diocese of Sydney has voted to endorse the administering of Holy Communion by lay people for a five year trial.
Meeting last night (October 19), the synod voted by secret ballot with an overwhelming result. After dividing the vote into clergy and laity the result was 346 in favour and 194 against (122 to 66 among the clergy and 228 to 124 among the laity).
The bill, introduced by the Rev Dr John Woodhouse, rector of Christ Church, St Ives, will allow suitably trained lay people to be granted permission by the Archbishop and parishes to preside at Holy Communion.
Synod subsequently approved an amendment moved by the Rev Paul Cohen of Malabar requiring that candidates for lay presidency (administration) be approved by parish vestry meetings. This effectively means that every church-goer can have a say in whether lay presidency will take place in their parish.
After discussing lay people's freedom to preach and lead services, Dr Woodhouse pointed to the importance of being consistent in dealing with lay ministry. In current church practice there are many opportunities for the laity to be involved in a range of ministries once denied them. "There is no sound reason to maintain the prohibition," said Dr Woodhouse. "This prohibition obscures the gospel we preach."
"To stay true to fundamentals, to our foundation, to the faith of our fathers, there are times when forms must change," he said.
The Rev Graham Crew, rector of the parish of Springwood-Winmalee, supported the motion arguing that passing it was pastorally important. His parish has 10 congregations spread over a number of centres. Some of these congregations are pastored by the parish's 5 lay staff. "It is loving and it is possible," he said.
Justice Keith Mason opposed the bill suggesting that it "went beyond the power of synod to pass this ordinance". "There are some things that are too big for one diocese to do," he said, arguing that it should be dealt with at a General Synod level.
Also opposing the bill was Dr Paul Barnett, Bishop of North Sydney. After conceding that "95 per cent of me agrees" with the bill, he expressed concern over the impact that passing the bill would have on Sydney's relationship with other Evangelical dioceses in the Anglican Communion. "Lambeth showed that the real strength of Anglicanism was in Africa and Asia. But the African and Asian churches derive their orthodoxy from the Book of Common Prayer and the basic conservatism," he said. "My fear is that by taking this step we will effectively take ourselves out of the place of influence."
Included in the ordinance is a five-year sunset clause. Unless Synod approves the bill again in five years time, the move to allow lay presidency (administration) will be revoked. While the Rev Ray Heslehurst, rector of St Stephen's, Newtown questioned the validity of a clause that would potentially make lay administration right one day and wrong the next. Dr Barry Newman, a lay representative from St Ives, emphasised the importance of a trial for practical reasons.
After the result was announced, Archbishop Goodhew asked for prayer as he considered his decision. He has twenty-eight days to overrule or assent to the bill. In his presidential address to the Synod last week he indicated his concern about the move to introduce lay presidency (administration).
"I ask you also to think seriously before launching into unilateral action on a matter that will be of concern to other churches in the Communion," he said.