Anglican General Synod meets in Gisborne

MEDIA RELEASE

Anglican General Synod meets in Gisborne Saturday May 8-13th

The Anglican ‘parliament’ will gather in Gisborne on Saturday, May 8, to begin its once-every-two-year, week-long session. The meeting is the main forum of the Anglican Church with 18 bishops, 70 clergy and lay representatives from across New Zealand and Polynesia.

On Saturday the Synod will begin with a powhiri at Te Poho o Rawiri marae beginning at 10am. All the business sessions of the synod will be held at the Emerald Hotel and most of the sessions will be open to the public and the media

One of the announcements from the Synod is expected to the naming of a new diocesan Bishop of Polynesia, who will also then be one of the three archbishops of the Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia. The Diocese of Polynesia has already met to nominate a bishop and the final confirmation by the wider church will be at the Gisborne gathering.

The General Synod will also debate issues including urging the government to place a ban on alcohol advertising. The proposed Anglican Covenant addressing the issue of the ordination of bishops in same sex relationships will also be a discussion for the General Synod but no final decision is expected until the next Synod in 2012.

ENDS

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