Background to 12th General Synod of the Anglican Church of Australia

The 12th General Synod of the Anglican Church of Australia, to be held in Brisbane from July 21-27, is the first General Synod to be held in Brisbane and only the third to be held outside Sydney in the church's history.

Each of the Anglican Church's 23 dioceses sends at least the bishop, a priest and a lay person - the total number of representatives is based on the number of licensed clergy in a diocese. Added to these are Indigenous representatives consisting of an Aboriginal and a Torres Strait Islander bishop, clergy person and lay person.

It is expected about 250 representatives will attend the General Synod.

The General Synod comprises three houses  - the 25 member House of Bishops (including 23 diocesan bishop plus an Aboriginal and a Torres Strait Islander Bishop), the House of Clergy and the House of Laity.

The General Synod is responsible for the governance of the Anglican Church of Australia, which is mainly done by the creation of rules or "canons". The Synod can also receive petitions, notices of questions and notices of motions.

It acts as the "electoral college" for the church's boards and committees and scrutinises the work of the General Synod Standing Committee and the various panels, task forces and committees which serve the synod between sessions.

Elections to various bodies will be conducted on the Wednesday and Thursday of the General Synod.

Some of the more contentious issues will be dealt with by way of presentations by two speakers from different perspectives (the first of whom will move the resolution of bill), followed by questions from the floor and small group discussions. The small group discussions are "off-the-record" to media. After the discussions, plenary debate will resume.

The first day (Saturday, July 21) will include a call to order in the Meeting Hall about 1.30 pm (AEST) followed by worship, the "State of the Church" address by the Primate, the Most Reverend  Dr Archbishop Peter Carnley, and some procedural activities.

The second day  (Sunday July 22), will involve representative worshipping in various parishes across the Diocese of Brisbane, followed by the start of the business session at 2pm.

From Monday to Friday, there will be a media briefing in the Media Room followed by a business session in the Meeting Hall from 9am.

Media opportunities will be provided during the day as time and personnel allow. It is initially proposed that media conferences will be held most days at the morning tea break (10.30am), but confirmation of these events will be sent to media outlets.

Television crews will be allowed on the Meeting Room floor for no longer than 15 minutes per session. Crews must try to be as unobtrusive and courteous as possible, or permission may be revoked.