Resolution Number: 2009-D020
Title: Commend and Report on the Proposed Anglican Covenant
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred as Substituted
Final Text:

Resolved, That the 76th General Convention of The Episcopal Church commend the Anglican Covenant proposed in the most recent text of the Covenant Design Group (the “Ridley Cambridge Draft”) and any successive drafts to the dioceses for study and comment during the coming triennium; and be it further

Resolved, That dioceses report on their study to the Executive Council in keeping with Resolution 2006-A166; and be it further

Resolved, That Executive Council prepare a report to the 77th General Convention of The Episcopal Church that includes draft legislation concerning this Church’s response to an Anglican Covenant; and be it further

Resolved, That dioceses and congregations be invited to consider the Anglican Covenant proposed draft as a document to inform their understanding of and commitment to our common life in the Anglican Communion.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Anaheim, 2009 (New York: General Convention, 2009), pp. 337-338.

Legislative History

Author: Father Daniel H. Martins
Originating House: House of Deputies
Originating Committee: Committee on World Mission

House of Deputies

Special Order of Business

Deputy Jennings of Ohio moved to suspend the Rules to consider Resolution D020 (Provincial Acceptance of Anglican Covenant).

Motion carried

Rules suspended

The House of Deputies Committee on World Mission presented its Report #50 on Resolution D020 (Provincial Acceptance of Anglican Covenant) and moved adoption of a substitute.

Original Text of Resolution:

(D020)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 76th General Convention of The Episcopal Church make a provisional commitment to abide by the terms of the Anglican Covenant proposed in the most recent text of the Covenant Design Group (the “Cambridge-Ridley” draft); and be it further

Resolved, That the text of the proposed covenant be commended to the various dioceses of this church for study and comment during the coming triennium; and be it further

Resolved, That the Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies appoint a Special Task Force to determine what constitutional and/or canonical measures may be necessary in order to make a permanent commitment to the Covenant; and be it further

Resolved, That this Special Task Force prepare a report to the 77th General Convention of The Episcopal Church that includes draft legislation that could be considered should the Convention decide to make a permanent commitment to the Covenant.

Committee Substitute:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 76th General of The Episcopal Church commend the Anglican Covenant proposed in the most recent text of the Covenant Design Group (the “Ridley Cambridge Draft”) and any successive drafts to the dioceses for study and comment during the coming triennium; and be it further

Resolved, That dioceses report on their study to the Executive Council in keeping with Resolution 2006-A166; and be it further

Resolved, That Executive Council prepare a report to the 77th General Convention of The Episcopal Church that includes draft legislation concerning this Church’s response to an Anglican Covenant; and be it further

Resolved, That dioceses and congregations be invited to consider the Anglican Covenant proposed draft as a document to inform their understanding of and commitment to our common life in the Anglican Communion.

Deputy King of Western New York moved the previous question.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on substitute Resolution D020.

Motion carried

Substitute resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #214)

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on World Mission presented its Report #46 on HD Message #214 on Resolution D020 (Provincial Acceptance of Anglican Covenant) and moved concurrence.

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #242)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 16.

Source Document:   The Anglican Communion Covenant: The Third (Ridley Cambridge) Draft
     Source Citation: http://www.anglicancommunion.org/commission/covenant/ridley_cambridge/draft_text.cfm.   Last accessed 06/09/2011.
Abstract:   The 76th General Convention requsts that the wider Church study, respond to and take legislative action on proposals for an Anglican Covenant.