Ecumenical Relations Measure 2018

3 Code of Practice

After section 5A of the Church of England (Ecumenical Relations) Measure 1988 (inserted by section 2 above) insert—

“5B Code of Practice

(1) The House of Bishops shall issue a Code of Practice on co-operation by the Church of England with other Churches.

(2) The House of Bishops may revise or replace the Code; and, where it does so, it shall issue the Code as revised or replaced.

(3) A clerk in Holy Orders, deaconess, lay worker or reader of the Church of England shall, in exercising a function under this Measure or under provision made by Canon in reliance on this Measure, have regard to the Code.

(4) Provision made by Canon in reliance on this Measure may be made by reference to the Code.

(5) The Code—

(a) may make different provision for different cases;

(b) may make provision which applies generally or for specified cases or subject to specified exceptions;

(c) may make provision which confers a discretion on a person;

(d) may make provision by reference to guidance issued by any person.

(6) The Code (including as revised or replaced) shall be laid before the General Synod and shall not come into force unless it is approved by the General Synod.

(7) If the Business Committee of the General Synod decides that the Code does not need to be debated, it is to be treated as approved for the purposes of subsection (6) unless a member of the Synod gives notice under its Standing Orders that the member wishes the Code to be debated.”