GS 2025 Article 24 – Ruling re Application of CO art. 32

Given the foregoing discussion reported in Article 23 (above), the Chairman made the following ruling, identical to that of GS 2019 art. 39, regarding the application of CO art. 32.

A delegate should abstain if:

  • 1. a matter particularly involves his person or his church (CO article 32);
  • 2. a matter pertains to the Board of Governors and he is a member of the Board (on account of his legal context);
  • 3. a matter pertains to the Standing Committee for the Book of Praise and he is a member of the Committee (on account of his legal context);

A delegate has freedom to vote or abstain but is encouraged to keep the spirit of CO art. 32 in mind when:

  • 4. he was a member of a minor assembly which previously decided regarding a matter being appealed;

A delegate has freedom to vote even though:

  • 5. he was a member of a committee reporting to synod (e.g. CER).

A simple majority constitutes more than half of the votes cast, not counting the abstentions.

Synod was adjourned for committee work.