Resolution Number: 1997-A014
Title: Amend Canon IV.15 [Of Terminology: Doctrine]
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred As Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That Canon IV.15 is hereby amended by adding thereto a definition reading as follows: "Doctrine": As used in this Title, the term "Doctrine" shall mean the basic and essential teachings of the church. The Doctrine of the Church is to be found in the Canon of Holy Scripture as understood in the Apostles' and Nicene Creeds and in the sacramental rites, the Ordinal and Catechism of the Book of Common Prayer.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Philadelphia, 1997 (New York: General Convention, 1998), p. 784.

Legislative History

Author: The Standing Commission on Constitution and Canons
Originating House: House of Bishops
Originating Committee: Committee on Ministry

House of Bishops

Original Text of Resolution:

(A014)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That Canon IV.15. is hereby amended by adding thereto a definition reading as follows: "Doctrine": The Doctrine of the Church shall be found in the Apostles' Creed, the Nicene Creed, and the Sacraments, Pastoral Offices, and Ordinal in the Book of Common Prayer, and is in all cases to be supported by Holy Scripture.

Proposed Committee Amendment:

In line 2, after "Doctrine:" add "As used in this Title, the term "Doctrine" shall mean the essential teachings of the church."

In line 3, after "Nicene Creed," add "the Liturgies of" and delete "and".

The Committee on Ministry noted a correction in A014.

In line 4, "to be" should be deleted.

Bishop Fairfield (North Dakota) moved a substitute resolution.

Proposed Substitute:

Resolved, That the doctrine of the Church shall be found in the consistent teaching of Holy Scripture, and in the Apostles' Creed, the Nicene Creed, the Sacraments, Pastoral Offices, Ordinal, and Catechism in the Book of Common Prayer.

Bishop Brown (Louisiana) moved to postpone consideration to a time certain: as the first order of business tomorrow.

Motion carried

The Committee on Ministry re-introduced its Report #7, postponed from the Sixth Day, on Resolution A014 (Add Definition to Canon IV.15: Doctrine), moved the resolution, and recommended adoption as amended.

Proposed Committee Amendment:

In line 2, after "Doctrine": add "As used in this Title, the term "Doctrine" shall mean the essential teachings of the church."

In line 3, after "Nicene Creed," add "The Liturgies of" and delete "and".

In line 4, delete "is" and "to be".

Bishop Fairfield (North Dakota) withdrew his substitute offered on the Sixth Legislative Day.

Bishop Vogel (Retired, Western Missouri) moved an amendment to the committee amendment.

Proposed Amendment:

In line 2, before "essential" add "basic and"; delete "shall" and add "is to".

Delete lines 3 and 4 and add "the Canon of Holy Scripture as understood in the Apostles' and Nicene Creeds and in the sacramental rites, the Ordinal and Catechism of the Book of Common Prayer."

Bishop White (Milwaukee) moved to refer to the Committee on Theology of the House of Bishops.

The question was called to terminate debate on the referral.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

[A vote was taken to refer to the Committee on Theology.]

Motion defeated

The question was called to terminate debate.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on the Vogel amendment to the proposed committee amendment to Resolution A014.

Motion carried

Amendment adopted

Bishop Wantland (Eau Claire) addressed the House.

Bishop Vest (Southern Virginia) called the question to terminate debate on Resolution A014 as amended.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on Resolution A014 as amended.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #145)

House of Deputies

The Committee on Ministry presented its Report #7 on HB Message #145 on Resolution A014a (Add Definition to Can IV.15: Doctrine), moved the resolution, and recommended concurrence.

Debate followed on Resolution A014a.

The question was called to terminate debate.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on concurrence with Resolution A014a.

Motion carried

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #322)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 25.

Report Reference:   Standing Commission on Constitution and Canons, Reports to the 72nd General Convention, 1997, pp. 12-77.
Abstract:   The 72nd General Convention amends Canon IV.15 by adding a definition of "doctrine."
Notes:  

The following text was printed in the Journal under the heading, "Committee Comment:"

The first (and most critical) amendment is to add "basic" as limiting the "essential teaching" of the Church which would be accepted as the "Doctrine" of this Church as that term is used in Title IV (and in particular Canon IV.1.1c). There are many different kinds of "doctrine" as that term is used and abused in communities of faith. The term "basic" should be added as there may be differences as to what is essential among the teachings of the Church, but there can be little misunderstanding as to what is both basic and essential. With the addition, there will be no more heresy cases unless the heresy goes to one of the basic and essential tenets of our faith. The second proposed amendment is to focus the sources of Doctrine on the two creeds, the Book of Common Prayer and Holy Scripture. It is dangerous to pick and choose parts of the sources, and even more dangerous to use phrases like "and can be supported by Holy Scripture." As the Presiding Bishop stated so eloquently the other day in joint session, the devil can support all kinds of evil in Holy Scripture (e.g. slavery; abuse and subjugation of women, etc.). Remember, not everything in the cited sources constitutes "Doctrine," but all "Doctrine" is found in one or more of the cited sources. This proposed definition is consistent with the decisions of the Courts in the cases of Bishop William Montgomery Brown in 1924 and Bishop Walter Cameron Righter in 1996.