Dear Dr Philips,
Synod Number 058
In the light of the substantial support given by Synod for the following motion,
That this Synod request that the Steering Committee appointed under SO49 to
be in charge of the draft legislation arising under GS1901 undertake full
consultation with the University proctors regarding the proposals relating to the
University constituencies in GS1901, GS1902M GS1904 and bring forward further
proposals for consideration by the Revision Committee for the reform of those
constituencies, based on accurate information.
it is clear that retention and reform, not abolition, of the Univesity Seats is the will of
Synod. I welcome this support for the seats, as these members provide essential
theological expertise to the floor of Synod. Now that many fewer members of the
House of Bishops have provessional training in theology, this expertise is especially
necessary.
It is most unfortunate that the universities were not consulted in the process, and
this is an important learning point for future discussions of this nature. Proper
consultation with the University Proctors, as suggested in the following motion,
should therefore take place before any reforms go to Synod.
I would support reform of the seats which included provision for,
Four seats (Oxford, Cambridge, Northern, Southern + Europe)—it is
important that a distinct Northern voice is retained as several representatives
of the Northern Province are being lost.
Senior Members (not employees, and not students) of Theology Faculties
(because of Oxbridge and Durham contexts as collegiate universities), ending
the issue of individuals whose academic discipline is not in a theological
discipline, representing the Universities
Yours sincerely,
Peter Bradley
The Very Reverend Peter Bradley
The Dean of Sheffield