Synod has passed a bill to recast the Social Justice Commission canon.

Under the previous canon, the Social Justice Commissioner was named as the church’s agent for social justice. The commission, as the previous rules had it, existed to support him or her in their work.

The new bill turns that arrangement on its head.

It names the commission as the church’s agent for doing social justice, and gives it the power to employ staff to do that work.

For Social Justice Commissioner Anthony Dancer, the change clarifies lines of accountability and will help him work “more effectively for the church.”

The Commission will now have responsibility for reporting to the church’s executive body, General Synod Standing Committee, each year.

An amendment presented during synod allows for the Commission to apply for external funding.

“The provision that allows for external funding sources will help us to work in closer collaboration with the communities we serve,” said Dr Dancer.