Between 10-14 June, Bishops, Clergy, and Laity from across the country, including representatives from the Diocese of Bristol, came together for the final General Synod of this quinquennium.

The gathering was attended by our Diocesan representatives. They are: 

• House of Bishops: The Rt Revd Neil Warwick 

• House of Clergy: The Revd Canon Alice Kemp, The Revd Adam Beaumont, The Revd Kat Campion-Spall 

• House of Laity: Dr Brendan Biggs, Mr Ed Shaw, Mrs Christiana Olomolaiye.

Summary of Proceedings 

Friday 10 July 

After welcoming members to York, in his Presidential Address, Archbishop Stephen Cottrell reflected on the major themes of the current quinquennium, reaffirming the Church of England’s vision of being a Christ-centred Church that is growing younger and more diverse, nurturing missionary disciples, and supporting both parish ministry and new worshipping communities. He also highlighted the need to continue work on safeguarding, inclusion, parish revitalisation and church growth, calling for a “simpler, humbler, bolder” Church that shares the gospel with confidence and serves every community in the country. 

An address was then heard from Archbishop Luc Terlinden, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Archbishop of Mechelen-Brussel, Belgium. 

After discussing the report of the Business Committee, which sets the Synod agenda, members approved a motion affirming neurodivergent people as a blessing to the Church and calling for action to remove barriers to their flourishing in ministry and church life. The motion backed neurodivergent-led training, encouraged every diocese to appoint Neurodiversity Champions, and urged churches to listen and respond to the experiences of neurodivergent people in their local communities. 

During this debate, Canon Alice Kemp, Dean of Women's ministry in the Diocese of Bristol, said that: growing up, she had felt like an “alien” in a world which she found “overwhelming most of the time”. Four years after her autism diagnosis, she felt able to “stop hiding” herself. “I began to recognise that I am fearfully and wonderfully made, and it is all of me that God has called into ministry, and indeed my whole life.” 

Synod members then had an opportunity to ask supplementary questions submitted prior to the meeting on a wide range of subjects. 

Saturday 11 July 

The day began with worship, before members turned to a Private Members motion from the Rev Dr Christopher Landau looking at the work of the Digital Communications team of the National Church Institutions. Synod welcomed the work of the digital team and heard updates on the work being done to refresh digital output, including the launch of the new Church of England website in the autumn. During the debate a motion for next business was moved and carried, which resulted in the main motion lapsing. 

Synod then moved to legislative business, debating a report from the Legislative Committee following its engagement with the Ecclesiastical Committee of Parliament on the National Church Governance Measure, which has now been withdrawn. The importance of reform to the existing structures of the National Institutions was reaffirmed, with suggestions given for how changes can be made without requiring legislation. 

The Legal Officers (Annual Fees) Order 2026 was agreed, with Synod hearing how valuable locally based legal advice is to every parish across the country. The Ecclesiastical Judges fees for proceedings in ecclesiastical courts was also approved. 

The morning finished with a second session of questions on a wide range of subjects. 

In the afternoon, Synod approved the Clergy Conduct Rules that will provide the procedural framework for dealing with complaint under the new Clergy Conduct Measure, with members welcoming the new triage system for complaints. A number of amendments brought by Synod members were debated which can be found in the order paper.  

Members also approved amendments to the House of Laity and House of Clergy election rules for the General Synod elections to be held in the Autumn. 

Finally, Synod heard a presentation on promoting unity in our nation. They heard from Pete Adams on responding to the rise of the Christian right in the last twenty years. The Bishop of Southampton Rhiannon King spoke on the recent unrest in Southampton following the murder of Henry Nowak. The Bishop of Bradford spoke on behalf of the Bishop of Leeds Arun Aroura on responding to riots outside asylum hotels in Leeds last year. Evening worship brought the day to a close. 

Sunday 12th 

The afternoon session opened with an address from the Anglican Communion Guest, Bishop Jorge Cabral of the Lusitanian Church. 

Members then discussed Hope for All Creation, a landmark new teaching document from the House of Bishops, offering a theological framework for understanding and responding to environmental crises including climate change and mass extinction. 

The theme of creation continued as Synod give final approval to a significant change to the ecclesiastical calendar by introducing a new annual “Festival of Creation in Christ”. 

It was approved together with a new commemoration of the Twenty-One Martyrs of Libya to the Common Worship Calendar. 

The two pieces of liturgical business were passed with two thirds majority in all three houses. 

Also on the theme of environmental crises, Synod heard an update on the progress towards achieving Net Zero. 

In the evening session, Synod began to debate the motion brought by the Carlisle Diocesan Synod in Cumbria expressing solidarity with Palestinian Christians. The debate was adjourned shortly before 10pm and resumed on Tuesday. 

Monday 13th 

The General Synod voted to commit itself to stand in solidarity with Palestinian Christians and hear their experiences while opposing antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred, in an amended Diocesan Synod Motion.  

After a resumed debate on Monday morning, an amended motion was carried in a counted vote by Houses.  

Members voted to take note of the Archbishops’ Council annual report for 2025 after hearing a presentation from Canon Alison Coulter, Chair of Archbishops’ Council. 

The Archbishops Council Budget for 2027 and proposals for apportionment for 2027 were approved following a presentation from the Chairman of the Archbishops’ Council Finance Committee Carl Hughes. 

The morning finished with a debate on a Private Member’s Motion on same sex relationships, first tabled by Professor Helen King. 

An amendment to Prof King’s motion, brought by the Dean of Peterborough Christopher Dalliston was carried by the Synod in a counted vote by Houses, while an amendment brought by Dr Jamie Harrison, was lost on a counted vote by Houses. The amendments can be found in Order Paper VI. The motion as amended was lost in counted vote by Houses. 

The afternoon began with Synod voting to back an amendment to the Vacancy in See Committees (amendment) regulation 2026. 

Synod voted to take note of the annual report of the audit and risk committee of the Archbishops’ Council, after a presentation by Peter Doyle, from the Archbishops' Council. 

Members also voted to take note of a report on trust and trustworthiness in the Church of England, made up of a qualitative study by Professor Veronica Hope Hailey and a theological commentary by Professor David Ford. 

Before the debate and vote, Synod heard presentations from Professors Ford and Hope Hailey. The qualitative research was based on 74 interviews across lay and ordained leadership, on experiences and insights of trust and mistrust.

The Synod voted to approve the appointment of the Rev Richard Springer, Rector of St George-in the-East in the Diocese of London, as a new member of the Archbishops’ Council. 

The final item of the day was an update on safeguarding from Bishop Robert Springett, the Church of England’s new lead bishop for safeguarding. In his address, Bishop Robert referred to background reports made available to the Synod – the Makin recommendations task and finish group full report and the National Safeguarding Team (NST) report on its activity and achievements in 2026. 

Tuesday 14th 

The final day of Synod began with debate on a Private Member’s motion on support for children and young people in the care system. Introducing the debate Billy-Jo O’Leary spoke of her own experience growing up in care. An amendment to include support for those who care for looked after children was approved in the motion. The motion was carried with unanimous support from members with 282 votes and no votes against or abstentions. 

Synod then turned to legislative business, approving amendments to the Abuse (Redress) Rules agreed at Synod last July to make a number of practical and procedural improvements. The rules detail the operational procedures, including application processes, assessment criteria, appeals mechanisms, and data protection protocols. The Redress Scheme is expected to open later this year. 

In the final debate of this quinquennium Synod discussed a Private Member’s motion that called on Church Commissioners to protect nature on 30 per cent of their land. An amendment by the Bishop of Norwich, the lead Bishop for environment, was accepted by Synod in a counted vote by Houses. The amended motion was carried by a show of hands. 

Synod was formally dissolved with the reading of writs from His Majesty the King. 

Click here to find out more about what happened at Synod

Image credits: Malcolmxl5