Resolution Number: 1997-D065
Title: Express Grave Concern Over Misuse of Partial Birth Abortion
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred as Substituted
Final Text:

Resolved, That this 72nd General Convention of the Episcopal Church express grave concern about the use in the third trimester of pregnancy of the procedure known as intact dilation and extraction (commonly called "partial birth abortion") except in extreme situations; and be it further

Resolved, That the 72nd General Convention of the Episcopal Church continue to encourage its Dioceses and Congregations to give necessary aid and support to all pregnant women.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Philadelphia, 1997 (New York: General Convention, 1998), p. 270.

Legislative History

Author: Mrs. Lucretia Mottley
Originating House: House of Deputies
Originating Committee: Committee on Social and Urban Affairs

House of Deputies

Original Text of Resolution:

(D065)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That this 72nd Convention of the Episcopal Church express its opposition to the use of the procedure known as "intact dilation and extraction" (commonly called "partial birth abortion") except where such abortions are necessary to save the life of a mother whose life is endangered by a physical disorder, illness or injury, provided that no other medical procedure would suffice for that purpose; and be it further

Resolved, That this 72nd Convention of the Episcopal Church encourage its dioceses and parishes to give necessary aid and support to such pregnant women, assisting them both in bringing such unborn children to birth and in establishing a secure home for them in the first year after their birth.

Proposed Committee Substitute:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That this 72nd General Convention of the Episcopal Church express grave concern about the use in the third trimester of pregnancy of the procedure known as intact dilation and extraction (commonly called "partial birth abortion") except in extreme situations; and be it further

Resolved, That this 72nd General Convention of the Episcopal Church continue to encourage its dioceses and congregations to give necessary aid and support to all pregnant women.

Debate followed on Resolution D065.

The question was called to terminate debate.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on the committee substitute for Resolution D065.

Motion carried

Substitute resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #270)

House of Bishops

The Committee on Social and Urban Affairs presented its Report #28 on HD Message #270 on Resolution D065s (Partial Birth Abortion), moved the resolution, and recommended concurrence.

Bishop Barrett moved to amend the resolution by deleting the first Resolved clause.

Motion defeated

Amendment defeated

A vote was taken on concurrence with Resolution D065s.

Motion carried

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #302)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 25.

Abstract:   The 72nd General Convention expresses concern over misuse of partial birth abortion and encourages dioceses and congregations to support all pregnant women.