Synod warns clergy to be ‘considerate’ on social media

CHURCH of England clergy have been warned over social media abuse ahead of the next General Synod meeting.

Guidance from the Synod’s business committee asks members to avoid saying anything on social media that they would be hesitant to say in person.

The members’ code of conduct was first published last year but was revised and republished last month ahead of the meeting, starting on Thursday.

It asks members, who are a mixture of clergy, bishops and laity, “to use the same level of consideration when commenting on social media on synod business or on members or their speeches”. In general, the advice is: “If you wouldn’t say it to their face, please do not say it on social media”.