16. Dr Barry Newman asked -

With reference to the printed text, though not the official text, of the Archbishop's 2004 Presidential Address to Synod, wherein it states that "I have been authoritatively informed that there are many in the Anglican Communion who would see a move to endorse lay administration in any way, as equivalent to the consecration of an active homosexual", firstly what steps have been taken and secondly what steps plan to be taken by the Archbishop or the bishops

(a) to vigorously deny the view that endorsing lay administration would be equivalent to the consecration of an active homosexual,

(b) to clearly inform the world wide Anglican Communion, including bishops in Africa and Asia, that the Sydney Synod of the Anglican Church has on a number of occasions, by a clear majority of votes, expressed a view consistent with that view expressed in the Sydney Diocesan Doctrine Commission's statement of 1993, namely that -

"…there are no sound doctrinal objections to, and there are significant doctrinal reasons for, lay presidency" (administration) "at the Lord's Supper. There are also sound reasons based on our received Anglican order for allowing lay presidency" (administration). "In light of this the continued prohibition of lay presidency" (administration) "at the Lord's Supper does not seem justifiable theologically. Since church practice should conform to sound doctrine, practical problems related to the introduction of lay presidency" (administration) "ought to be dealt with, but should not constitute an obstacle to reform motivated by theological truth."?

To which the President replied -

This question is out of order under business rule 6.3 since, among other things, it contains several assertions.

Nevertheless, I make the following comments.

I have sought to deny the view that endorsing lay administration would be equivalent to the consecration of an active homosexual and will continue to do so. I have, for example, addressed the issue with the Archbishop of Canterbury.

I have expressed the theological and doctrinal reasons for recommending lay administration to groups such as the Australian Bishops, the NSW Provincial Bishops, the Clergy Conference for the clergy of Newcastle Diocese. Bishop Peter Tasker has also visited and spoken with bishops in Africa and Asia, in order that they might understand those issues as well.