The Acts of Convention

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on Safeguarding and Title IV presented its Report #21 on Resolution A108 (Amend Canon III.6.5(g) Addressing Harassment and Sexual Misconduct) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(A108)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 79th General Convention amend Canon III.6.5(g) as follows:

(g) Preparation for ordination shall include training regarding

(1) prevention of sexual misconduct of both children and adults.

(2) civil requirements for reporting and pastoral opportunities for responding to evidence of abuse.

(3) the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church, particularly Title IV thereof.

(4) the Church's teaching on racism.

And be it further

Resolved, That Canon III.8.5(h) shall be amended as follows:

(h) Preparation for ordination shall include training regarding

(1) prevention of sexual misconduct of both children and adults.

(2) civil requirements for reporting and pastoral opportunities for responding to evidence of abuse.

(3) the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church, particularly Title IV thereof.

(4) the Church’s teaching on racism.

And be it further

Resolved, That Canon III.9.6 shall be amended by adding a subsection (d) as follows:

(d) It shall be the duty of the Rector or Priest-in-Charge to ensure that a policy regarding harassment and sexual misconduct is promulgated and enforced in the local Parish, and that such a policy is publicly posted or made available within the congregation upon request.

And be it further

Resolved, That Canon III.12.3 shall be amended by adding a subsection (f) to read as follows:

(f) The Bishop Diocesan shall ensure that a diocesan policy regarding harassment and sexual misconduct, and the process of reporting it, is promulgated by the appropriate body and enforced throughout the diocese, and that a written copy thereof is kept on file at the diocesan office, is posted on the diocesan website and is made available upon request. In the absence of a Bishop Diocesan, the Ecclesiastical Authority shall assume this responsibility.

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 79th General Convention amend Canon III.6.5(g) as follows:

(g) Preparation for ordination shall include training regarding

(1) prevention of sexual misconduct of against both children and adults.

(2) civil requirements for reporting and pastoral opportunities for responding to evidence of abuse.

(3) the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church, particularly Title IV thereof.

(4) the Church's teaching on racism.

And be it further

Resolved, That Canon III.8.5(h) shall be amended as follows:

(h) Preparation for ordination shall include training regarding

(1) prevention of sexual misconduct of against both children and adults.

(2) civil requirements for reporting and pastoral opportunities for responding to evidence of abuse.

(3) the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church, particularly Title IV thereof.

(4) the Church’s teaching on racism.

And be it further

Resolved, That Canon III.9.6 shall be amended by adding a subsection (d) as follows:

(d) It shall be the duty of the Rector or Priest-in-Charge to ensure that a policy regarding harassment and sexual misconduct is promulgated and enforced in the local Parish, and that such a policy is publicly posted or made available within the congregation upon request.

And be it further

Resolved, That Canon III.12.3 shall be amended by adding a subsection (f) to read as follows:

(f) The Bishop Diocesan shall ensure that a diocesan policy regarding harassment and sexual misconduct, and the process of reporting it, is promulgated by the appropriate body and enforced throughout the diocese, and that a written copy thereof is kept on file at the diocesan office, is posted on the diocesan website and is made available upon request. In the absence of a Bishop Diocesan, the Ecclesiastical Authority shall assume this responsibility.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #90)