No 54, 1998
An Ordinance to adopt Canon No 13, 1998 of the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Australia.
The Synod of the Diocese of Sydney Ordains -
Name of Ordinance
1. This Ordinance is the General Synod - Canon Concerning Services 1992 Adopting Ordinance 1998.
Adoption of Canon No 13, 1998
2. Canon No 13, 1998 of the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Australia, the text of which is set out in the Schedule, is adopted.
Schedule
1. This canon may be cited as "Canon concerning Services 1992".
2. The minister of each church must bring to the knowledge of the people of the suburb, town or locality in which that church is situated, the times and days on which Divine service is to be held in that church.
3. Divine service must be held in every Cathedral and, wherever possible, in the church or one of the churches in every parish at least once on all Sundays.
4. (1) The following forms of service are authorised:
(a) the forms of service contained in the Book of Common Prayer;
(b) such forms as may have been authorised, as regards a parish, pursuant to the Constitution or a canon of the General Synod in force in the diocese of which that parish is part.
(2) Every minister must use only the authorised forms of service, except so far as the minister may exercise the discretion allowed by section 5.
5. (1) The minister may make and use variations which are not of substantial importance in any form of service authorised by section 4 according to particular circumstances.
(2) Subject to any regulation made from time to time by the Synod of a diocese, a minister of that diocese may on occasions for which no provision is made use forms of service considered suitable by the minister for those occasions.
(3) All variations in forms of service and all forms of service used must be reverent and edifying and must not be contrary to or a departure from the doctrine of this Church.
(4) A question concerning the observance of the provisions of sub-section 5(3) may be determined by the bishop of the diocese.
6. Each service must be said or sung distinctly, reverently and in audible voice in English or another language intelligible to the congregation.
7. A sermon must be preached at least once each Sunday in every cathedral and church in which Divine service is offered on that Sunday except for some reasonable cause approved by the bishop of the diocese. The preacher must endeavour to expound the scriptures, to the glory of God and to the edification of the people.
8. The minister must determine what parts of Divine Service offered in a church are to be said or sung. No musical instrument may be played in connection with Divine service in any church without the approval of the minister of that church. The minister must ensure that all music (including any words and accompaniment) is to the glory of God and to the edification of the people.
9. No minister may exorcise except where authorised so to do by the bishop of the diocese.
10. The canons numbered 14, 18, 19, 43, 45, 46, 47, 49 to 57 inclusive, 64, 67 and 72 of the Canons of 1603, in so far as the same may have any force, have no operation or effect in a diocese which adopts this canon.
11. The provisions of this canon affect the order and good government of this Church within a diocese and shall not come into force in a diocese unless and until the diocese adopts this canon by ordinance of the synod of the diocese.
I Certify that the Ordinance as printed is in accordance with the Ordinance as reported.
N.M. CAMERON
Chairman of Committees
We Certify that this Ordinance was passed by the Synod of the Diocese of Sydney on 15 December 1998.
M.A. PAYNE
C.J. MORONEY
Secretaries of Synod
I Assent to this Ordinance.
R.H. GOODHEW
Archbishop of Sydney
18/12/1998