General Synod has passed three bills dealing with liturgical order.

Each bill was moved by Bishop Victoria Matthews (Christchurch) and seconded by Bishop Te Kitohi Pikaahu (Tai Tokerau).

All were confirmed and passed into law on Tuesday after detailed consideration on the first day of synod.

As Bishop Victoria presented each bill she explained to the house how these changes to the canons would remove potential confusion in the existing canons.

The first of the bills (4) amends the Constitution/Te Pouhere to more clearly define what constitute ‘authorised services’.

The second bill (5) identifies the preferred position of the Liturgy of Baptism and Laying on of hands in Confirmation and Renewal within a Eucharistic liturgy.

It also clarifies that placement in the rubrics of A Zealand Prayer Book/He Karakia Mihinare o Aotearoa text for its next publication.

The third bill (6) changes the Sunday titles in all formularies, canons, and publications of this Church to reflect more accurately their placement in the liturgical calendar.

The Sunday titles will now read: ‘of Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, and Easter’ and ‘in Lent and Ordinary Time.’

• Click here for the wording of the three bills.