On Monday 20 October 2008 the synod of Sydney Diocese effectively authorised Diaconal and Lay presidency of the Eucharist.

The measure brought before the synod purported to be merely the accepting of a report clarifying the diocese’s longstanding position on this matter.

In fact, the passing of the motion has authorised Diaconal presidency and effectively also Lay presidency, even though there was no canon or ordinance brought for this purpose. By accepting the report, the synod ‘accepted’ that a canon or ordinance is unnecessary.

The story may be read here:

http://www.sydneyanglicans.net/sydneystories/women_win_in_lords_supper_debate/

Officially sanctioned diaconal celebration of the Lord’s Supper commenced the following Sunday (26 October) by both male and female deacons. Many deacons had sought the verbal permission of their regional bishop, which has been given in every case, though even this may be considered unnecessary.

Women priests who are licensed as deacons in the Diocese of Sydney (which does not accept women priests) are now free to celebrate the Eucharist as deacons.

This—coupled with the diocese’s current policy of no longer ordaining assistant clergy as priests until they become or intend to become rectors or incumbents—means that it will now be considered lawful and usual in Sydney Diocese for the Lord’s Supper to be celebrated by persons who have not been ordained to the ministry of word and sacrament.

Quite aside from questions of sacramental validity, it represents at least a serious breach of Anglican order, is deceptive (since the title ‘minister’ is generally the only one used for clergy) and is a schismatic act, which will seriously affect the consciences of clergy and lay people in the diocese, and potentially relationships among GAFCON bishops and the wider Communion.

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The justification for this is that in a 1985 Canon of General Synod it is stated that “the deacon may assist the priest in the administration and distribution of the Lord’s Supper”.

The argument goes that because the Book of Common Prayer uses the word “administer” to mean “celebrate” in the service of Baptism, the same can be said regarding the Lord’s Supper, regardless of the original intention of the 1985 canon, and since it could be argued that it would “assist” the priest if the deacon presided at the Holy Communion, the same canon thus already authorises the “administration of the Lord’s Supper” by a deacon, which is taken to mean the same as “preside at” or celebrate.

This is despite the fact that the Appellate Tribunal has ruled (in a highly contested judgement) that while Diaconal and Lay presidency of the Eucharist may be permitted theologically it would nevertheless require a canon of General Synod.

In proposing the motion Bishop Glenn Davies said: “the motion itself does nothing to change the legal situation. We don’t make law or change law in a motion, we merely express our view.” Nevertheless, Bishop Davies said he believes there is “nothing the Archbishop can do to prevent a deacon administering the Lord’s Supper”.

By accepting the report, the synod accepted the argument, based on legalistic manipulation, that it is already authorised, and so no further legislation or authorisation is required.

As for Lay celebration, Bishop Davies, in moving the motion accepting the report, revealed that while it is unlikely that the Archbishop will license any lay person to administer the Lord’s Supper, he had himself done this as a Beach Mission leader with his team when a layman, and as the rector of a parish had encouraged lay Bible Study and Home Group leaders, and even “heads of families”, to celebrate the Lord’s Supper with their respective groups.

Lay celebration will therefore be actively and openly promoted (as indeed it already is in Sydney Diocese) without the need for any discipline regarding licensing (which would be potentially embarrassing for the Archbishop). The diocese can thus argue it is exercising restraint when in fact it is doing no such thing.

Please pray for the small number of Catholic clergy and parishes in the diocese of Sydney which must now respond to this new development.

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At its meeting on Monday 17 November, 2008, the Parish Council of St John's unanimously passed the following motion:

"We dissent from the motion of the Diocesan Synod held last month concerning Diaconal and Lay administration of the Lord's Supper and commit ourselves to maintaining Anglican polity as it has been traditionally understood."

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In a judgement dated 12 August 2010 the Appellate Tribunal of the Anglican Church of Australia
came down comprehensively against the 2008 resolution of Sydney Diocesan Synod,
thus vindicating the parish's stand.
We await the Diocese's response to the Tribunal's judgement, and pray
that Catholic order may be restored in the other parish's of the diocese.