GS 1965 ARTICLE 142: Letter Federal Government.

The finalized proposals of Advisory Committee II concerning a communication to the Federal Government on the death penalty, Article 94, Agenda item 8 D 1, 2, 3, are adopted, so that:

• “The General Synod has taken note of the request of Rev. G. Van Dooren of Burlington, ON, dated September 13, 1965, “to submit a testimony to the Minister of Justice with the urgent request that he maintain the death penalty in cases of premeditated murder.”

Rev. G. Van Dooren states in his submission:

• a.    this is a matter for the Churches in common as it concerns a letter to the Federal Government;
• b.    that as such this is a matter in which a Synod can act without any proposal from a minor assembly.
• The Synod considers that CO article 30 determines
• that in major assemblies only such matters shall be dealt with as could not be finished in minor assemblies, or such as pertain to the Churches of the major assembly in common.
• The Synod considers that Rev. G. Van Dooren has not demonstrated
  • a.    this is a matter for the Churches in common as it concerns a letter to the Federal Government;
  • b.    that as such this is a matter in which a Synod can act without any proposal from a minor assembly.
• The Synod therefore decides not to accede to this request.”