The COVID pandemic has forced the postponement of the Synod of the Diocese of Sydney for the second year in a row.

Synod is the governing body of the Diocese where parish rectors, lay representatives and diocesan delegates meet annually. The membership of Synod numbers more than 600 people.

Normally held over five days in October, it was postponed last year due to COVID measures making large gatherings impossible. A shortened, one-day session was held in May this year, along with an election Synod for Archbishop.

Planning was well advanced for a regular Synod session to commence on  September 6 when lockdown hit in late June.

A circular to Synod members said that Archbishop Kanishka Raffel made the decision to postpone, with the concurrence of the Standing Committee, in response to the significant increase in community transmission of COVID-19. In addition, even if restrictions ease by September it is expected that the rules still in place for gatherings and social distancing would prevent such a large meeting as Synod from going ahead. 

The Standing Committee met early in August to consider alternative dates.