| Resolution Number: | 2006-A167 |
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| Title: | Reaffirm Church Membership of Gay and Lesbian Persons |
| Legislative Action Taken: | Concurred as Amended |
| Final Text: | |
Resolved, That the 75th General Convention of The Episcopal Church reaffirm that gay and lesbian persons are by Baptism full members of the Body of Christ and of The Episcopal Church as “children of God who have a full and equal claim with all other persons upon the love, acceptance, and pastoral concern and care of the Church” (GC1976–A069); and be it further
Resolved, That the 75th General Convention reiterate its apology “on behalf of The Episcopal Church to its members who are gay or lesbian, and to lesbians and gay men outside the Church, for years of rejection and maltreatment by the Church,” and recommit to “seek amendment of our life together as we ask God’s help in sharing the Good News with all people” (GC1997–D011); and be it further
Resolved, That, in evidence of that apology, The Episcopal Church pledge to include openly gay and lesbian persons on every committee, commission or task force developed for the specific purpose of discussing issues about sexuality and request the same of our sister churches in the Anglican Communion and Anglican Communion bodies; and be it further
Resolved, That the 75th General Convention reiterate that “our baptism into Jesus Christ is inseparable from our communion with one another, and we commit ourselves to that communion despite our diversity of opinion and, among dioceses, a diversity of pastoral practice with the gay men and lesbians among us” (GC2003–C051).
| Citation: | General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Columbus, 2006 (New York: General Convention, 2007), pp. 669-670. |
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Legislative History
| Author: | The Special Commission on the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion |
|---|---|
| Originating House: | House of Bishops |
| Originating Committee: | Committee on Social and Urban Affairs |
House of Bishops
The House of Bishops Committee on Social and Urban Affairs presented its Report #19 on Resolution A167 (“Full and Equal Claim” for All the Baptized) and moved adoption with amendment.
Original Text of Resolution:
(A167)
Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 75th General Convention of The Episcopal Church reaffirm that gay and lesbian persons are by Baptism full members of the Body of Christ and of The Episcopal Church as “children of God who have a full and equal claim with all other persons upon the love, acceptance, and pastoral concern and care of the Church” (GC1976–A069); and be it further
Resolved, That the 75th General Convention reiterate its apology “on behalf of The Episcopal Church to its members who are gay or lesbian, and to lesbians and gay men outside the Church, for years of rejection and maltreatment by the Church,” and recommit to “seek amendment of our life together as we ask God’s help in sharing the Good News with all people” (GC1997–D011); and be it further
Resolved, That the 75th General Convention reiterate that “our baptism into Jesus Christ is inseparable from our communion with one another, and we commit ourselves to that communion despite our diversity of opinion and, among dioceses, a diversity of pastoral practice with the gay men and lesbians among us” (GC2003–C051).
Committee Amendment:
Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 75th General Convention of The Episcopal Church reaffirm that gay and lesbian persons are by Baptism full members of the Body of Christ and of The Episcopal Church as “children of God who have a full and equal claim with all other persons upon the love, acceptance, and pastoral concern and care of the Church” (GC1976–A069); and be it further
Resolved, That the 75th General Convention reiterate its apology “on behalf of The Episcopal Church to its members who are gay or lesbian, and to lesbians and gay men outside the Church, for years of rejection and maltreatment by the Church,” and recommit to “seek amendment of our life together as we ask God’s help in sharing the Good News with all people” (GC1997–D011); and be it further
Resolved, That, in evidence of that apology, The Episcopal Church pledge to include openly gay and lesbian persons on every committee, commission or task force developed for the specific purpose of discussing issues about sexuality and request the same of our sister churches in the Anglican Communion and Anglican Communion bodies; and be it further
Resolved, That the 75th General Convention reiterate that “our baptism into Jesus Christ is inseparable from our communion with one another, and we commit ourselves to that communion despite our diversity of opinion and, among dioceses, a diversity of pastoral practice with the gay men and lesbians among us” (GC2003–C051).
Motion carried
Resolution adopted with amendment
(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #181)
House of Deputies
The House of Deputies Committee on Social and Urban Affairs presented its Report #15 on HB Message #181 on Resolution A167 (“Full and Equal Claim” for All the Baptized) and moved concurrence.
Deputy Seitz of West Virginia moved the previous question.
A vote was taken to terminate debate.
Motion carried
Debate terminated
Deputy Fleener of Western Michigan moved to require an equal number of speakers pro and con on for each resolution.
Motion carried
A vote was taken on Resolution A167.
The House concurred
(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #209)
Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, June 21.
| Report Reference: | Special Commission on the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion, Reports to the 75th General Convention, 2006, p. 407. |
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| Abstract: | The 75th General Convention reaffirms the Church membership of gay and lesbian persons. |