Synod has taken a step towards approving lay and diaconal administration of Holy Communion by repealing a section of the obscure 1662 Act of Uniformity.

A Committee estab-lished by Sydney Standing Committee to investigate options on the matter identified part of the Act as ‘an impediment to the practice of lay and diaconal administration’. Section 10 of the Act, which originally formed part of the law of the Church of England before being repealed in 1974, states: “Persons adminis-tering the sacrament before the are ordained priests; penalty £100 and disability for one year.”

The repeal of the Act is seen as clarifying one small section of the ongoing debate. Canon John Woodhouse, Principal of Moore College and mover of the motion, said he hoped the move would open the way for a full discussion in 2004. “This is a clarification for a debate I hope we will have in some substance next year,” he said. “The Synod has consistently expressed its support for this measure. In my opinion we have been persuaded mainly on theol-ogical grounds,” he said.

But Dr Woodhouse also noted that the Synod’s decision on the Act of Uniformity does not authorise lay or diaconal administration. “No one who opposes lay adminis-tration believes the Act of Uniformity is the only obstacle,” he said.

Following a process of consultation with leaders around the Anglican Communion, it is now expected that Synod will receive a report on those consultations before considering the matter further at its 2004 session.

Bishop Glenn Davies, chairman of the Committee appointed to investigate the matter, said the repeal of the Act of Uniformity “gives us as a Synod a chance to express our mind – not by resolution, but by ordin-ance – that we want to move forward on this matter.”