**Art. 2: Rules of Procedure of the Synod of the Roman Catholic Corporation of the Canton of Zurich (RoPS)** (GOS)

1 The Synodal Council orders the renewal election of the Synod. If the election is held at the ballot box, the first ballot takes place between January and April of the year in which the term of office expires. The four-year term of office expires on the day before the constitutive meeting of the newly appointed Synod.15

2 The Synodal Council determines the legal validity of the renewal and by-election of the members of the Synod.

1 The Synod shall convene for its constituent meeting at the beginning of the third quarter, following its valid renewal, upon the invitation of the outgoing President.10

2 Prior to the constituent meeting, a church service shall be held, to which all members of the Synod and the Synodal Council shall be invited.

1 The oldest and the youngest member of the Synod present

jointly open the constituent meeting. They deliver their speeches

in alphabetical order.

2 The member who is to speak second designates four tellers (or vote counters)

as well as a minute-taker (or actuary) before the constituent

meeting and forms the provisional executive board together with them. Under their

chairmanship, the Synod elects the President for the term of

the Synod. The chair is taken immediately after the election.

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182.31 Rules of Procedure of the Synod of the Roman Catholic Corporation (RoP)

3 Subsequently, the Synod elects the Vice-President and five further

members of the executive board for the term of the Synod.

1 After their constitution, the members of the Synod shall take the oath of office under the leadership of the President. It reads

"I promise before God, to the best of my knowledge and conscience, to faithfully observe the Church Order and all constitutional and legal provisions existing for the Roman Catholic Corporation of the Canton of Zurich, to respect the rights and freedoms of the Church and the faithful, and to conscientiously fulfill the tasks entrusted to me, so help me God."

2 The oath of office shall be taken by uttering the words: "I promise."

3 The oath of office may also be taken by written declaration.

4 Members who join the Synod during their term of office shall only participate in deliberations after having taken the oath of office.

5 If a member refuses to take the oath of office, the Synod shall declare their election null and void and request the Synodal Council to arrange a by-election.

Oath of Office

Election of the

Synodal Council

and other

Elections

II. Electoral Business of the Synod

13 1 The Synod elects for its term of office

a. the members of the Business Audit Commission and the Finance

Commission, as well as the other permanent commissions and their

presidents,

b. the members of the Synodal Council and its president,

c. its representatives in organizations.

2 The Synod elects halfway through its term of office for four years

a. the members of the Appeals Commission and its president,

b. upon proposal of the Synodal Council, the members of the Supervisory

Commission for Parishes and Special Purpose Associations,

c. the ombudspersons of the Personnel Ombudsman's Office.

Rules of Procedure of the Synod of the Roman Catholic Corporation (GOS) 182.31

After their election, the members of the Synodal Council take an oath of office

and the members of the Appeals Commission take an oath of office in accordance with § 4.

III. Synod Sessions

10

1 The invitation shall generally be served on the members of the Synod and all invitees four weeks prior to the meeting.

2 The agenda, including the matters to be dealt with, motions, and reports, shall generally be served on the members of the Synod and all invitees two weeks prior to the meeting. If this requirement cannot be met for a particular matter, its discussion shall be postponed to a later meeting upon the request of at least 20 members of the Synod.

3 Documents shall be dispatched electronically. Members of the Synod may request paper copies of documents from the Executive Committee.

12 Parliamentary Operations in Extraordinary and Special Situations Declared by State Authorities

In extraordinary and special situations declared by state authorities, the Executive Board of the Synod decides on parliamentary operations, as well as the potential use of technical aids for votes on substantive matters, within the framework of higher-level guidelines.

## 1 Duty to Attend –

Members of the Synod are obliged to attend the sessions of the Synod. In case of

inability to attend, they must submit a written excuse to the executive board no later

than three days after the session.

2 In the absence of an excuse, the member concerned shall be admonished by the

executive board, and in the event of a repeat offence, shall be fined an amount equal

to a single session fee in accordance with the remuneration regulations (LS 182.15).10

1 At the beginning of each session, and for full-day sessions in the

morning and afternoon, members shall sign the attendance list.

2 The names of members who are absent with or without excuse

shall be noted in the minutes.

3 Members who sign in at the beginning of a session but are absent

without excuse at the end of a later roll call shall not receive a

session fee.

Attendance List,

Forfeiture of Session Fee

1 The Synod is quorate if more than half of the negotiating members are present.

quorum

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182.31 Rules of Procedure for the Synod of the Roman Catholic Corporation (GOS)

2 If this no longer appears to be ensured, the President shall, on his or her own initiative or upon the request of a member, arrange for the attendees to be counted or a roll call to be taken.

1 Members of the Synod shall recuse themselves if they are directly and personally affected by a matter in a specific case. This applies to matters

a. concerning themselves,

b. concerning a person closely related to them by blood, marriage, or in a similar manner.

2 If a reason for recusal exists or if a member of the Synod doubts their duty to recuse, the President shall be notified without delay. A recusal does not need to be justified. If the duty to recuse is disputed, the Synod shall make a final decision.

3 There is no duty to recuse oneself in elections and in matters affecting a large number of people.

10 1 The deliberations of the Synod are public. Audio and video recordings in the hall and on the gallery are only permitted with the permission of the President.

2 The Synod may exclude the public for reasons of personal data protection or security. The motion concerning the exclusion of the public shall be deliberated in camera.

3 The Communications Office of the Catholic Church in the Canton of Zurich shall inform the public about the deliberations of the Synod.

1. The public shall be assigned special seating in the deliberation room, separate from the assembly.

2. The public shall refrain from any expression of applause or disapproval. The President may expel offenders from the hall.

1. Media accreditation is the responsibility of the Management Board.

2. Suitable places are made available for media representatives, to the extent that space permits.

IV. Management Board, Secretariat, Presidium, Minutes

1 The Management Board constitutes itself, with the exception of the

Presidency and the Vice-Presidency.

Rules of Procedure of the Synod of the Roman Catholic Corporation (GOS) 182.31

2 It elects

a. an actuary (female or male),

b. the members of the Personnel Committee,

c. committees for specific subject areas.

1 The Synod has its own secretariat. It serves as the point of contact, information, and coordination for the Synod. It particularly supports the Executive Committee and the presidencies of the commissions and parliamentary groups in fulfilling their duties.

2 The staff of the secretariat are professionally and personally subordinate to the President; administratively, they are subordinate to the General Secretary of the Synodal Council.10

3 The employment regulations of the corporation apply to the staff of the secretariat. The employment of staff and the employer-initiated termination of an employment relationship are carried out by the Synodal Council in agreement with the Executive Committee.

4 The secretariat of the Synodal Council is available to the Executive Committee after consultation with the President of the Synodal Council.

10 1 The Executive Board shall have the following responsibilities

a. external representation of the Synod,

b. planning and assignment of pending business to be discussed

to the commissions, taking into account the planning of the

Synodal Council,

c. preparation of the agenda and invitation for the Synod meetings,

d. preparation and invitation to other events of the Synod,

e. selection and management of the secretariat staff,

f. organization of minute-taking for the meetings of the Synod

and the commissions,

g. preparation of the budget and credit control for the Synod

cost center,

h. establishment of ad hoc commissions and informing them of

the applicable time limits,

i. acceptance of resignations from members of the Synod,

j. acceptance of resignations from members of the Executive Board

and from members of permanent commissions,

Duties of the

Executive

Board

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182.31 Rules of Procedure of the Synod of the Roman Catholic Corporation (RPC)

k. acceptance and processing of requests from members of the Synod

to complete their term of office upon change of residence, in consultation

with the relevant parish,

l. acceptance of resignations from members of the Synodal Council,

the Appeals Commission, and the Personnel Ombudsman,

m. acceptance of resignations from members of the Supervisory

Commission for forwarding for further processing by the Synodal Council,

n. proposing revisions to the Church Order and Rules of Procedure

as well as other enactments of fundamental importance,

o. ensuring the flow of information between itself, the commissions,

and the faction presidencies, as well as between the commissions

themselves,

p. ensuring the flow of information between itself and the Synodal Council,

q. ensuring the flow of information to the members of the Synod,

r. internal training and further education of the members of the Synod

for parliamentary work.

2 The Executive Board may engage experts on its own authority within

the framework of the approved budget.

Duties of the

President

1 The President has the following duties

a. to lead the deliberations,

b. to oversee the strict adherence to the rules of procedure

and to the parliamentary rules,

c. to supervise the activities of the Actuary,

d. to supervise the activities of the tellers.

2 She or he presents to the Executive Board all correspondence

addressed to the Synod and informs the assembly thereof in an appropriate manner.10

Representation

in the Chair

In case the President is prevented from attending, the Vice-President takes over the chair; if both are prevented, the Synod designates a President for the day.

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Rules of Procedure of the Synod of the Roman Catholic Corporation (RPC) 182.31

1. 1. 24 - 123

1 The actuary is responsible for taking minutes at the meetings of the Synod and the Executive Board.

**2 The actuary is responsible for the proper archiving of all files.**

The President, or their deputy in case of prevention, shall sign, together with the Actuary, the documents originating from the Synod.

1 Protocols shall be kept of the proceedings of the Synod, the Executive Board, and the commissions.

2 The commission protocols shall be delivered to the members of the Executive Board and the commissions, as well as to the parliamentary group presidencies. External meeting participants shall receive an extract of the minutes.13

10 The minutes of the meeting shall contain the items of business dealt with at the meeting, the motions proposed, and the results of votes and elections. They shall be prepared and distributed within a reasonable period after the meeting.

13 1 The substantive minutes shall contain all business transacted, the decisions made, as well as the content of the votes, the additional motions submitted and the corresponding decisions, the manner of their disposition, and the disciplinary measures pronounced.

2 If a motion is deliberated by an ad hoc committee, the personal composition of this committee must be listed in the minutes.

3 The minutes shall generally be prepared within three months of the synod session.

1 The Synod sessions shall be recorded on audio carriers, appropriately indexed, and archived.

2 The recordings shall not be edited. No objection may be raised against the recordings.

3 By decision of the Synod, recording shall be waived in individual cases.

The minutes of the Synod are to be approved by the Executive Committee. Objections to the accuracy of the minutes shall be decided by the Executive Committee. The decision may be appealed to the Synod.

Duties of the

Actuary (male

or female)

Signing of

documents

Minute-

taking

Minutes of

the Synod

Resolution

minutes

Substantive

minutes

Recording

on sound

carrier

Approval

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182.31 Rules of Procedure of the Synod of the Roman Catholic Corporation (GOS)

Service

Access to files

General;

Permanent

Commissions

Ad Hoc

Commissions

Assignment of

matters

Participation of

the members of

the Synodal Council

Supervisory

Commissions;

Audit

Commission

1 The resolution minutes will be delivered electronically to the members of the Synod and the Synodal Council, invited individuals, and the executive boards of the church councils. The executive management decides on the delivery to further recipients.13

2 The resolution minutes and the substantive minutes are also available to the public electronically.

The members of the Synod have the right to inspect the minutes and files of the Synod and its commissions in the Secretariat.

V. Commissions

1 The supervisory commissions are the Business Audit Com-

mission and the Finance Commission.

2 The ad hoc commissions are the Commission for Education and Social Affairs

affairs (BiSo) and the Commission for Pastoral Care and Media (SeMe).13

3 The standing commissions each consist of seven members.

The Synod may create additional ad hoc commissions or dissolve existing ones.

1 Ad hoc commissions are appointed as needed for the

handling of specific matters. As a rule, they consist of nine

members.

2 The members and the presidium are elected by the Executive Board

upon proposal of the parliamentary groups.

3 The establishment and composition of such commissions must be

communicated to the members of the Synod and the Synodal Council.

The management can assign business to a permanent or

a non-permanent commission for examination and proposal.

For the participation of the members of the Synodal Council in the meetings of the commissions, Article 26, paragraph 2 of the Church Order³ shall apply accordingly.

13 1 The Business Audit Committee examines

a. as part of parliamentary oversight, the management of the Synodal Council and the administration, the Appeals Commission and the Personnel Ombudsman's Office,

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Rules of Procedure of the Synod of the Roman Catholic Corporation (GOS) 182.31

b. the annual report of the Synodal Council, the Appeals Commission and the Personnel Ombudsman's Office of the Roman Catholic Corporation,

c. the execution of matters assigned to the Synodal Council by the Synod,

d. matters transferred to it by the Synod.

2 The Business Audit Committee is not authorized to review decisions of the Appeals Commission with regard to factual and legal aspects.

13 1 The Finance Committee examines

Finance

a. the annual accounts of the corporation as well as of all administrations, funds, and foundations reporting to the Synodal Council, for their correctness and conformity with existing regulations and adopted resolutions,

b. the budget of the corporation, supplementary credits, the financial plan, and the statement on the determination of contribution rates.

2 The Finance Committee may submit opinions to the preparatory committee regarding the proposals of the Synodal Council.

1 The Business Auditing Commission and the Finance Commission – Information from the

sion have the right, in fulfilling their duties, to consult a delegation of the Synodal Council at any time. They may request information from the Synodal Council about its business management or about individual ongoing or completed transactions. Official secrecy for the protection of overriding public interests cannot be invoked.

2 Requests concerning completed transactions must be granted, and access to files provided; for ongoing transactions, the Synodal Council may refuse the request, stating its reasons. In this case, it shall submit a special report.10

Expert Commission

13 1 The Specialist Commission for Education and Social Affairs is responsible for

a. handling the matters assigned to it by the Executive Board from the areas of education and social affairs,

b. obtaining information on the general course of business and on the planned Synod matters of its assigned areas.

2 It has the right to consult a delegation of the Synod Council at any time in the performance of its duties.

13 1 The Specialist Commission for Pastoral Care and Media is responsible for

a. handling matters assigned to it by the Executive Board from the areas of Pastoral Care and Media,

and Social Affairs

Specialist

Commission for Pastoral Care

and Media

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182.31

b.

2

2

10

VI. Fractions

2

3

Tasks

Participation

in the Synod

Interfractional

Conference

2

13

2

10

Rules of Procedure of the Synod of the Roman Catholic Corporation (RPC)

the procurement of information regarding the general course of business as well as

the planned Synod business in its assigned areas.

It has the right, in fulfillment of its duties, to consult a delegation

from the Synodal Council at any time.

If a matter assigned to a commission for preliminary deliberation

concerns the specialized area of another commission, the preliminary deliberating

commission shall assess whether the other commission should be invited

to provide a co-report.

13

The preliminary deliberating commission determines the procedure for expressing

opinions.

The commissions may, in consultation with the Executive Board,

consult experts.

The commissions submit a written report to the Synod

on the results of their examinations and make a proposal.

In addition to the proposals, commission reports must also contain any

minority proposals, as well as statements from the Finance Commission

and co-reports.

If a commission's proposal deviates significantly

from the proposal of the Synodal Council, it must give the Synodal Council

an opportunity to comment before concluding its deliberations.

In addition to the commissions, the factions deal with

the preliminary deliberation of matters and submit proposals for the

elections to be made by the Synod.

At least five members of the Synod may form

a faction. They register members, constitution, and designation of the executive board.

Each member of the Synod may belong to only one faction.

The factions shall be adequately represented in the executive board and in the commissions.

13

The Inter-Factional Conference prepares the elections to be made by the Synod.

Based on the candidatures received from the factions, it prepares an election recommendation.

At the same time, it communicates which other persons are available for election.

Rules of Procedure of the Synod of the Roman Catholic Corporation (RPC) 182.31

3 It consists of two delegates from each faction, as well as the President

or the Vice-President of the Synod.

4 It constitutes itself.

5 The President and the Vice-President of the Synod have no voting right.

VII. Subject Matter and Form of Deliberation

The Synod exercises the tasks assigned to it by the Church Law² and the Procedural Church Order.

items

The President determines the order of business. The Synod may amend the proposed agenda.

1 The President submits the order of business to the Synod in the sequence of the agenda.

**Deliberations**

2 For substantive matters (reports and motions), the President grants the floor in the following order

to the spokesperson of the preparatory commission,

to the spokesperson of any minority motion,

to the spokesperson of the co-reporting commission,

to the Synodal Council.

Thereafter, the discussion is opened.

3 For matters with pastoral implications, the representatives of the Conference of Deans of the Canton of Zurich and the Cantonal Pastoral Council have the right to comment.10

4 For specific substantive matters, the President may grant the floor to representatives of ecclesiastical or private institutions and organizations.

1 In the case of submissions consisting of multiple sections or articles, a general debate

on whether to consider the submission (Eintretensdebatte) precedes the article-by-article deliberation.

The purpose of this debate is to provide members with the opportunity to comment on the submission as a whole and to move motions for non-consideration, referral back, or postponement.

2 At the end of the general debate, a vote is taken on whether to consider the submission.

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Referral Back

Discussion

Speaking time

Motions

Parliamentary

Order

182.31 Rules of Procedure of the Synod of the Roman Catholic Corporation (GOS)

1 If the Synod has considered a motion, it may, during deliberations, refer the motion, in whole or in part, back to the Synodal Council for review or amendment.

**2 Motions for referral back shall include in their justification a brief description of the requested review or amendment.**

1 Speakers request the floor.

2 The President grants the floor in the order of requests. Members who have not yet spoken on a matter receive precedence over those who have already had the opportunity to speak.

1 The speaking time is a maximum of 20 minutes for

Speakers of a commission and the Synodal Council,

Speakers who introduce a motion, a postulate or an interpellation,

a maximum of 10 minutes for

Discussion speakers.

2 The Synod may approve a longer speaking time or generally limit the speaking time for a particular item of business.

3 As a rule, a member of the Synod may not speak more than twice on the same subject. Exceptions apply to speakers of a commission, members of the Synodal Council, as well as for group or personal statements.

1 Every member of the Synod may submit motions regarding an agenda item under deliberation.

2 All motions must be presented orally and immediately after their justification, submitted in writing and signed to the President.

1 If a speaker deviates too far from the subject matter under discussion, the President shall admonish them to keep to the point.

2 In the event of a breach of parliamentary decorum, particularly through offensive remarks, the President shall call the person to order.

3 Disregard of the admonition shall result in the withdrawal of the right to speak.

4 If the person concerned objects to the withdrawal of their right to speak, the Synod shall decide.

Rules of Procedure of the Synod of the Roman Catholic Corporation (GOS) 182.31

If someone makes a motion for a point of order during the deliberation, the deliberation on the subject is interrupted until the motion for a point of order is resolved.

1 Every member of the Synod may move to close the debate. The debate shall be closed if the majority of the members of the Synod present vote in favor thereof. Members who have already put down their names to speak at the time the motion is made shall still be granted leave to speak.

2 The debate is concluded when no further speakers are registered.

The synod can reconsider partially adopted resolutions until the conclusion of the deliberation on a matter. Corresponding motions must be submitted before the final vote and require the support of at least 20 members of the synod.

At the end of the deliberation, the rapporteur of the commission and, if applicable, previously the rapporteur of a commission minority, as well as the representative of the Synodal Council, once again have the right to speak.

Resolutions of the Synod that are subject to a mandatory or optional referendum must be published in the Official Gazette of the Canton of Zurich.

VIII. Parliamentary Instruments

1. Motion

1. The members and committees of the Synod are entitled to submit motions at any time concerning matters falling within the jurisdiction of the Synod.

2. By means of a motion, the Synod Council is obliged to submit to the Synod a draft ordinance or a draft resolution.

1 The undersigned motion must be submitted in writing to the President.

2 The President shall confirm receipt of the motion in writing and communicate its wording to the members of the Synod and the Synod Council.

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182.31 Rules of Procedure of the Synod of the Roman Catholic Corporation (GOS)

Treatment

1 The President places the motion on the agenda for the next meeting, provided the motion was submitted at least 30 days before the meeting.

2 He or she communicates the text of the motion to the members of the Synod and the Synodal Council.

3 Motions submitted later will only be dealt with at the next meeting if more than 40 members of the Synod vote in favour.

Reasoning

The author of the motion substantiates the motion orally. If unable to do so, another member of the Synod may take on this task.

Undisputed Referral

1 After the proponent of the motion, the President of the Synodal Council takes the floor.

2 If the Synodal Council accepts the motion and no counter-motion is put forward from within the Synod, the motion is deemed referred.

3 Further requests to speak are only possible if a discussion is decided upon.

Disputed Referral

1 If the acceptance of the motion by the Church Council or its referral by a member of the Synod is rejected, the discussion on the matter is open.

2 After the discussion concludes, the Synod decides whether to refer the motion.

3 The amendment of the motion text or its conversion into a postulate may only occur with the consent of the mover(s).

Report and

Motion of the

Church Council

1 The Synodal Council shall submit a report and proposal to the Synod within two years for each motion referred to it.

2 The Synod may extend this period by a maximum of one year upon request of the Synodal Council. If the Synodal Council does not comply with the demands of a motion, it may be referred to a committee of the Synod for proposing a resolution. Otherwise, the Synod shall decide whether the motion is to be struck off.

Pending

Referrals

The pending motions are listed in the appendix to the annual report of the Synodal Council, with a note regarding the status of the matter.

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Rules of Procedure of the Synod of the Roman Catholic Corporation (RPC) 182.31

2. Postulate

1 The members and commissions of the Synod are entitled to submit postulates.

2 By means of a postulate, the Synod Council is invited to examine whether it wants to submit to the Synod a draft ordinance, a draft resolution, or a report, or whether another measure should be taken.

1 The undersigned postulate must be submitted in writing to the President.

2 The President shall confirm receipt of the postulate in writing and communicate its wording to the members of the Synod and the Synod Council.

1. The President shall place the postulate on the agenda for discussion at the next meeting, provided the postulate was submitted at least 30 days before the meeting.

2. Postulates submitted later will only be discussed at the next meeting if more than 20 members of the Synod vote in favour.

1. When discussing the annual report of the Synodal Council and submitting the budget of the corporation, postulates closely related to the subject matter of the report or budget may be presented orally and immediately substantiated.

2. The wording of the postulate must be submitted in writing and signed to the President after its substantiation, at the latest.

3. The postulate will be dealt with together with the subject matter, unless its immediate consideration is rejected by the Synod due to a lack of factual connection, or unless at least 20 members of the Synod request a postponement to the next meeting.

The Synodal Council is free to declare, only at the next meeting, whether it wishes to accept the postulate for examination or to reject it. In this case, the postulate must be included in the agenda of the next Synod meeting.

9 1 After the postulant, the undisputed Speaker of the Synodal Council

is given the floor.

Referral

2 If the Synodal Council accepts the postulate and no counter-motion is

submitted from the floor of the Synod, the postulate is considered referred.

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182.31 Rules of Procedure of the Synod of the Roman Catholic Corporation (GOS)

3 Further interventions are only possible if a discussion is decided upon.

Contested

Referral

Report of the

Synodal Council

Pending

Referrals

Subject

Provisional

Support

9 1 If the acceptance of the postulate is rejected by the Synodal Council or its referral by a member of the Synod, the discussion on the matter is open.

2 After the conclusion of the discussion, the Synod decides whether the postulate will be referred.

The Synodal Council submits a written report to the Synod on each transmitted postulate within one year. The Synod decides on the matter and on the write-off of the postulate. If the Synod does not write off the postulate, the period for further processing is extended by one year.

1 The pending postulates are listed in the appendix to the annual report of the Synodal Council, with a note on the status of the matter.

2 Following the deliberation of the annual report, the Synod decides whether a postulate is to be written off, based on the written, justified motions of the Synodal Council or the Business Audit Commission.

3. Parliamentary Initiative

1 The members of the Synod are entitled to submit parliamentary initiatives in the form of elaborated drafts for the enactment, amendment, supplementation, or repeal of provisions of the Church Order³, as well as for Synod resolutions.

2 The President shall refuse to accept a parliamentary initiative at the subsequent meeting if it relates to matters that are already before the Synod on the basis of a proposal from the Synodal Council. If the decision of the President is challenged from among the Synod, the Synod shall decide on the acceptance of the initiative.

The President determines whether at least one-third of the members provisionally support the parliamentary initiative. If so, the Synod refers the initiative to a preparatory commission for report and motion.

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Rules of Procedure of the Synod of the Roman Catholic Corporation (RPC) 182.31

10 The deliberative commission discusses the draft and can, with the agreement of the Synodal Council, be supported in its work by employees of the administration and, in consultation with the Executive Board, consult external experts. It can propose amendments, draft a counter-proposal, or request the Synod to reject the parliamentary initiative.

10 The Preparatory Commission Submits its Findings to the Synodal Council – Consultation

In matters falling within the General Vicariate's remit, the Preparatory Commission shall also submit the results of its deliberations, along with an explanatory report, to the General Vicar, for comment within six months. An extension of this period by a maximum of six months is possible upon request by the Synodal Council or the General Vicar and must be expressly decided upon by the Synod. Once the Synodal Council or the General Vicar has expressed their view or waived the right to comment, the Commission shall make a final decision on its proposals to the Synod.

of the Synodal Council and the General Vicar

The Synod discusses the motions of the commission. In the event of non-treatment, entering, or rejection in the final vote, the procedure in the Synod is concluded.

Body Corporate

Vote

Unless provided for in Church Law² or Church Regulations³ or decided by the Synod, the Synodal Council submits the revised draft, accompanied by an explanatory report, to the eligible voters of the corporation for a vote. The Synod may delegate the drafting of the explanatory report to the executive body. The proposal must be submitted to the eligible voters of the corporation for a vote within six months of the final vote of the Synod.

4. Interpellation

With an interpellation, any member of the Synod can request information from the Synod Council regarding matters concerning the body.

1 The interpellation must be submitted in writing to the President. It must be accompanied by a brief explanation and signed.

2 The President confirms receipt of the interpellation in writing and communicates its wording to the members of the Synod and the Synodal Council.

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182.31 Rules of Procedure of the Synod of the Roman Catholic Corporation (GOS)

Submission

Treatment

1 The Synod shall address the interpellation at its next meeting, provided that it was submitted at least 30 days beforehand and is signed by at least 20 other members or is supported at the meeting. The interpellator may orally substantiate the motion.

2 The Synod Council may defer the answer to the next meeting. In this case, it must answer the interpellation in writing to all members within three months at the latest.

Answer

1 The Synodal Council shall answer the interpellation in writing at

the next synod meeting after its referral. Once the

written answer is available, it shall be included, together with the interpellation, as an item

on the agenda of the next assembly

and sent to the members of the Synod with the invitation.10

2 The Synodal Council is entitled to refuse to provide information, stating its reasons. The Synod shall decide

on the validity of the reasons. It may instruct the Synodal Council to

nevertheless answer the interpellation.

3 After the interpellation has been answered, the interpellator may

declare whether they are satisfied with the information received

or not. Further discussion shall only take place

if the majority of the Synod so decides.

4 Any decision-making on the question raised by the interpellation is excluded.

5. Written Question

Subject

Submission

Handling

1 Any member of the Synod may submit a written inquiry to the President at any time.

2 The Executive Board shall forward the written inquiry to the Synodal Council.

The Synodal Council shall communicate the written inquiry simultaneously with its response, within three months of its submission, in writing to the members of the Synod. Any discussion in the Synod is excluded.

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Rules of Procedure of the Synod of the Roman Catholic Corporation (GOS) 182.31

6. Question Time

1. **Addressing Current Issues by the Synodal Council**

A question hour is held at each meeting. Concisely formulated questions are to be submitted in writing to the President of the Synod, for the attention of the Synodal Council, no later than seven days before the meeting. Questions submitted after the last dispatch will be sent electronically.

2. During the question hour, questions and suggestions concerning church life may also be submitted to the Vicar General. The Synodal Council and the Vicar General will respond orally.

3. If the Synodal Council and the Vicar General consider a topic to be too extensive, they may refer the questioner to the path of interpellation or written inquiry.

4. The questioner is entitled to ask a relevant follow-up question and, finally, to give a brief explanation. A discussion will not take place.

IX. Resolution, Statements, Motion, Petition

1 The Resolution is a public declaration concerning the tasks of the Roman Catholic Corporation within the meaning of

Statements by parliamentary groups and personal statements by individual members of the Synod are possible at any time. They must be registered with the President, accompanied by a brief summary of their content. Personal statements must be kept short; no discussion shall take place.

1 Resolutions of the Synod

1 The Synod may adopt resolutions on matters concerning itself. Motions for resolutions are proposals on subjects that fall within the autonomous sphere of activity of the Synod, particularly its rules of procedure.

2 A motion for a resolution must be submitted in writing and with justification to the Executive Board for the attention of the Synod.

3 If the Synod approves the motion for a resolution, it shall be referred to the Executive Board for further action, unless otherwise decided.

Petitions addressed to the Synod shall be assigned to the Executive Committee.

X. Votes

10 1 Before the vote, the President of the Synod shall announce the motions and the voting sequence. The Synod shall decide on objections to this procedure.

2 If there is only one motion on a matter to be voted on, it shall be declared adopted.

3 Divisible voting questions shall be voted on separately upon request of a member of the Synod.

4 If there are two motions on a subject matter that either relate to the same part of the text or are mutually exclusive, they shall be put against each other for a vote.

10 1 All motions submitted during deliberations must be put to a

vote.

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Rules of Procedure of the Synod of the Roman Catholic Corporation (GOS) 182.31

2 If more than two motions on the same voting matter are pre-

sented, it must be examined whether a pairwise elimination of motions

is possible. In this process, motions with the smallest substantive difference

shall be put to a vote before those with the largest substantive difference

(detailed questions before fundamental questions).

3 If no clear order can be determined according to the criteria of para. 2,

all motions shall be put to a vote simultaneously. In this case, each member

of the Synod has only one vote.13

4 If none of the motions secures an absolute majority of the voting

members of the Synod, the motion with the fewest votes shall be eliminated

from the vote. Subsequently, the procedure shall continue until one of the

motions obtains the majority.

§§ 91 and 92.11

1. **Voting**

Voting shall take place using the electronic voting system or by roll call. A roll call shall be conducted upon request of at least 30 members. In this case, the minutes shall record how individual members voted.

2. If the electronic voting system is out of operation, voting shall take place by standing. The tellers shall announce their results aloud to the actuary. The reported voting results shall be repeated aloud and forwarded to the president.

1 Recording of votes and decision-making

1 The number of votes shall be determined using the electronic voting system and recorded in a log with an evaluation.

2 The President shall abstain from voting, but in the event of a tie, she or he shall have the casting vote. She or he is entitled to state the reasons for this decision.

3 For proposals subject to a referendum, the number of votes shall be determined at the final vote.

### Voting in the Management Board and Commissions

In votes within the Management Board and in commissions, the chairperson shall vote. In the event of a tie, this vote shall count twice.

11

If a vote has been taken on individual sections or articles during the treatment of a draft, a final vote must be held last on the version obtained through the preceding votes.

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182.31 Rules of Procedure of the Synod of the Roman Catholic Corporation (GOS)

Editorial

Adjustment

1 Submissions comprising multiple sections and articles

will be reviewed and formally revised by the Executive Board

after the final vote.

2 The Executive Board is not authorized to make substantive changes

to the decisions of the Synod. If contradictions arise

in a submission that, in the opinion of the Executive Board, necessitate

substantive changes, it shall report to the Synod, which will

decide thereon. The Synod may delegate the editorial revision of larger

submissions to an editorial committee appointed from among its members,

which shall submit a report and proposal for the editorial reading.

Applicable

Law

Announcement

of Election

Proposals

Secret

Ballots

XI. Elections

For the elections to be held by the Synod and the Executive Board, the provisions of the Law on Political Rights, the Church Law², and the Church Regulations³ are authoritative.

6 1 Electoral proposals submitted to the President of the Synod by a deadline set by the Executive Committee shall be announced with the invitation and read out at the beginning of the election process.

2 Members of the Synod are not bound by the electoral proposals, with the exception of the proposals submitted by the Synodal Council for the election of members of the Supervisory Commission for Parishes and Special Purpose Associations.

3 The electoral proposals of the Synodal Council for the members of the Supervisory Commission for Parishes and Special Purpose Associations may neither be supplemented nor amended by the Synod.

1 To be elected secretly in a closed meeting

a. the President of the Synod,

b. the Vice-President of the Synod,

c. the members of the Synodal Council,

d. the President of the Synodal Council,

e. the members of the Appeals Commission,

f. the President of the Appeals Commission,

g. the members of the Supervisory Commission for Parishes and

Associations.

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Rules of Procedure of the Synod of the Roman Catholic Corporation (GOS) 182.31

2 The remaining members of the Executive Board as well as the members

and presidencies of the permanent commissions shall be elected openly,

unless the Synod decides to conduct a secret ballot.

1. **Voting shall be in writing on ballots issued by the management.**

2. **In secret ballots held in a closed meeting, the number of members present shall first be determined, followed by the number of ballots collected. The President shall record the result.**

3. **The persons for whom votes are cast must be designated on the ballot in such a way that there is no reasonable doubt as to their identity. Otherwise, the vote is invalid.**

4. **If a ballot contains more names than permitted, the excess names shall be disregarded. The valid names on the ballot shall be counted from top to bottom until the permissible number of votes is reached.**

5. **If a ballot contains the same name multiple times for the same position, it shall be counted only once; repetitions of the same name shall be counted as invalid votes.**

13 1 A maximum of three ballots shall take place. In the first and Ballots

second ballots, an absolute majority shall decide, in the third ballot

a relative majority. In the event of a tie, the decision shall be made by lot, drawn by

the President.

2 If, in the election of the members of the Synodal Council, more persons

have been elected than are permissible according to Art. 38 para. 3 KO, those

with the fewest votes shall be eliminated. A further

ballot shall take place. A relative majority shall apply.

3 If, after the first three ballots for the election of the members of the Synodal Council,

no person has been elected who possesses a missio

canonica and belongs to the pastoral chapter of the Canton of Zurich, the member with the fewest votes shall be eliminated. A further ballot shall take place for the election of the corresponding person.

A relative majority shall apply.15

4 The Synod is not bound by the proposal of the pastoral chapter.

Any person who meets the requirements of para. 3 is eligible for election.

5 After the election of the Synodal Council and the Appeals Commission,

the Synod shall elect a President from among their respective members.

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182.31 Rules of Procedure of the Synod of the Roman Catholic Corporation (GOS)

6 For the election of the Supervisory Commission for Parishes and

Special Purpose Associations, a maximum of two ballots shall take place. An absolute majority shall apply. If a person proposed by the Synodal Council does not achieve an absolute majority even in the second ballot, the Synodal Council shall submit a substitute proposal to the Synod.10

Vote Count

1 The tellers count the ballots and prepare a written election record of the result. The president announces the election result to the assembly.

2 With the consent of the synod, the counting may take place outside the meeting room.

3 The ballots and supporting documents shall be kept securely until legal remedy procedures concerning the election have been concluded. Thereafter, they shall be destroyed.

Open Elections

For open elections, the following procedure applies

a. The President requests the Synod to make nominations; if only one nomination is made, the nominated person is considered elected.

b. If the names of several candidates are put forward, the members present are to be counted behind closed doors.

The number of votes is to be determined for each candidate, in the same order as the nominations were made.

c. A maximum of three ballots will take place. In the first and second ballots, an absolute majority decides, and in the third, a relative majority decides.

Casting a vote

by the President

In secret ballots, the President casts a vote; in open ballots, only if a tie-breaking decision is necessary.

Entry into force

XII. Transitional and Final Provisions13

This set of Standing Orders enters into force following adoption by the Synod on January 1, 2010. It replaces the one from June 27, 1985, including subsequent amendments.

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Rules of Procedure for the Synod of the Roman Catholic Corporation (RPC) 182.31

12 At the beginning of its 2023–2027 term of office, the Synod elects the ombudspersons of the Staff Ombuds Office until the middle of the term of office.

**Transitional

provision for

the amendment of

13 April 2023**

1 OS 64, 829.

2 LS 180.1.

3 LS 182.10.

4 Obsolete.

5 Inserted by resolution of 7 December 2017 (OS 73, 77; ABI 2017-12-22). In force

since 1 March 2018.

6 Version in accordance with resolution of 7 December 2017 (OS 73, 77; ABI 2017-12-22). In force

since 1 March 2018.

7 Repealed by resolution of 7 December 2017 (OS 73, 77; ABI 2017-12-22). In

force since 1 March 2018.

8 Version in accordance with resolution of 12 April 2018 (OS 73, 431; ABI 2018-06-08). In force

since 1 January 2019.

9 Inserted by resolution of 11 April 2019 (OS 74, 283; ABI 2019-05-03). In force

since 1 June 2019.

10 Version in accordance with resolution of 11 April 2019 (OS 74, 283; ABI 2019-05-03). In force

since 1 June 2019.

11 Repealed by resolution of 11 April 2019 (OS 74, 283; ABI 2019-05-03). In force

since 1 June 2019.

12 Inserted by resolution of 13 April 2023 (OS 78, 211; ABI 2023-05-05). In force

since 1 July 2023.

13 Version in accordance with resolution of 13 April 2023 (OS 78, 211; ABI 2023-05-05). In force

since 1 July 2023.

14 Inserted by resolution of 13 April 2023 (OS 78, 211; ABI 2023-05-05). In force

since 1 January 2024.

15 Version in accordance with resolution of 13 April 2023 (OS 78, 211; ABI 2023-05-05). In force

since 1 January 2024.

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