Constitution plan in hand

Press, 17 June 1988, Page 3

Constitution plan in hand

The Anglican Church plans to change its constitution to incorporate the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi. In a recent address to the Synod of the Diocese of Nelson, the Bishop of Nelson, the Rt. Rev. Peter Sutton, described the issue as one of the most important to come before the General Synod since the Anglican constitution was signed in 1857. ' The bill to change the constitution aims to include the treaty’s principles of partnership and bicultural development. Bishop Sutton said the bill would authorise paral-

lel decision-making at every level of church life, with a representative governing body which would "reflect the equality of the '• two partners and wherein Maori and pakeha shall be equally represented.” It ■ has been suggested that in place of an Archbishop or Primate there should be a Presiding Bishop of the Province of Aotearoa-New Zealand. The change to the constitution was suggested by the Bishopric of Aotearoa. The bill has passed its first reading but has yet to'Wne before all Anglican parishes, pastorates and synods.