1. The Rev Allan Blanch asked -

If the proposed bill for the General Synod - Admission of Children to Holy Communion Canon 1985 Adopting Ordinance 1996 were to be passed in its present form, without any clause regulating the practice and procedure to be followed in this matter,

(a) would each minister be free to interpret the Canon, and especially its reference to "appropriate understanding of the nature and meaning of the Holy Communion", as he saw fit?

(b) has the Archbishop indicated whether he would make any regulations under the provision of the Canon?

To which the President replied -

(a) This is not rightly a question under Standing Order 27 as it seeks an opinion on a legal document and should be asked of the mover of the bill at the second reading question time.

Nevertheless, I think that a canon must be interpreted according to its terms. In clause 2 of the Admission of Children to Holy Communion Canon 1985 the minister must be satisfied of certain things, including the matter quoted in part (a) of the question. As regards that matter, I think the minister must evaluate the evidence of an appropriate understanding of the nature and meaning of the Holy Communion in the context of the doctrine of the Holy Communion and consistent with the Book of Common Prayer and the Thirty Nine Articles.

(b) My response will be conditioned by the final form of the Ordinance to adopt the Canon and by other considerations which I may choose to make after the Ordinance is passed.