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Public Issues Commission

The Public Issues Commission (PIC) has, as its purpose, to address the fourth and fifth marks of mission of the Anglican Communion, namely:

  • To transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and pursue peace and reconciliation.
  • To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth.

The PIC was formally established as a committee of Bishop-in-Council on 16 April 2016 by the passing of the Public Issues Commission Ordinance 2016.

‘The functions of the Public Issues Commission are:

  • to facilitate awareness within the Diocese and the community of Public Issues and to stimulate informed debate and discussion of Public Issues amongst the members of this Church;
  • to provide advice to the Synod and Bishop-in-Council on Public Issues and to assist in the preparation of submissions that the Bishop or Diocesan agencies may wish to make about Public Issues;
  • to assist the Diocese to engage in public advocacy about Public Issues;
  • to prepare codes of practice …. and any amendments to the codes that the Commission may from time to time consider appropriate; and
  • to provide such advice or carry out such other functions in relation to Public Issues as may be requested by Bishop-in-Council from time to time.

In the discharge of its functions, the Commission may:

  • prepare and publish such discussion papers or reports about Public Issues as may be requested by the Bishop, Bishop-in-Council or otherwise considered appropriate by the Commission; and
  • conduct and facilitate such lectures, seminars, workshops or conferences about Public Issues as the Commission considers appropriate.’
The Codes of Practice

The Commission may prepare codes of practice which shall be designed to achieve the following purposes:

  • to set out good practice in relation to the environment; and
  • to assist agencies of the Diocese, including ministry units, to care better for the environment, use the resources of God’s creation properly and to act responsibly about the effect the agencies and its members have on God’s creation

The current membership of the Public Issues Commission is :

Rt Rev’d Prof Stephen Pickard (Convenor)
Venerable Dr Wayne Brighton
Venerable Paul Cohen
Dr Ian Dalziell (Secretary)
Rev’d Dr John Harris
Dr Beth Heyde
Ms Gillian King
Rev’d Pamela Phillips
Dr Greg Rippon
Rev’d Peta Thorpe
Mr Brad Braithwaite
Ms Kathryn Nicholls
Ms Helen Rainger