Day 1
Glebe Agreements the Focus of Bill No 5
A Bill which proposes updates to the arrangement for glebes was presented at General Synod today (Friday May 9). At present, an incumbent must sign an acknowledgement or agreement ‘in reference to the glebe appropriated for that incumbent’s occupation or residence’ within two months of his or her institution or licensing. There is currently no constitutional requirement to return the signed copy of the agreement.
Bill No 5 proposes that three copies of the glebe agreement (or other similar acknowledgement) must be signed immediately prior to the institution or licensing, with one copy being retained by the incumbent, one copy lodged with the diocesan office, and one copy lodged with the Representative Church Body.
Proposed by Archdeacon Barry Forde and seconded by Helen Arnopp.
“Clergy living in glebes have the wonderful provision of homes provided by the parish that are to be inspected and maintained according to the standards of the diocese and wider Church, and clergy have to sign glebe agreements for the same,” Archdeacon Forde explained. “The Bill before Synod is essentially seeking to improve the administration and good governance of those glebe agreements in the interests of the cleric, parish, diocese and Representative Body.”
The bill will come before members of Synod on Tuesday evening for final consideration.