Resolution Number: 1997-D032
Title: Acknowledge the Church's Unique Role in Ministering to Youth
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred as Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That this 72nd General Convention, while recognizing that parents are the loving source of authority in the education of children, acknowledge the Church's unique role in ministering to all youth, particularly in the area of faith and morals: and be it further

Resolved, That all parishes are urged to teach and support sexual abstinence, self-respect, resistance to peer pressure and respect to those who say "no" to sex before marriage.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Philadelphia, 1997 (New York: General Convention, 1998), p. 277.

Legislative History

Author: The Very Rev. Edward S. Little
Originating House: House of Deputies
Originating Committee: Committee on Social and Urban Affairs

House of Deputies

Original Text of Resolution:

(D032)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That this 72nd General Convention, while recognizing that parents are the loving source of authority in the education of children, acknowledge the Church's unique role in ministering to all youth, particularly in the area of faith and morals: and be it further

Resolved, That all parishes are urged to teach and support sexual abstinence as the Biblical standard for all unmarried individuals and to support sexual abstinence, self-respect, resistance to peer pressure and respect to those who say "no" to sex before marriage.

Proposed Committee Amendment:

In the second Resolved clause, lines 1-2, delete "sexual abstinence as the Biblical standard for all unmarried individuals and to support".

Debate followed on Resolution D032.

The question was called to terminate debate.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on Resolution D032 as amended.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #294)

House of Bishops

The Committee on Social and Urban Affairs presented its Report #31 on HD Message #294 on Resolution D032a (Teach Youth Abstinence), moved the resolution, and recommended concurrence.

Motion carried

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #314)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 25.

Abstract:   The 72nd General Convention acknowledges the church's special role in ministering to youth, particularly in the areas of faith and morals, and urges parishes to teach and support sexual abstinence before marriage.