The Acts of Convention

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on Ministry presented its Report #34 on Resolution D083 (Amend Canon III.10.2) and moved the resolution, recommending rejection.

Point of Order

The Rt. Rev. Ian Douglas, Bishop of Connecticut, noted conflict between Resolution D083 and Resolution A180 on the HD Consent Calendar of the 8th Legislative Day.

Motion carried

Consideration postponed

Continuation of consideration of resolution D083

The House of Bishops Committee on Ministry presented its Report #34 on Resolution D083 (Amend Canon III.10.2) and moved the resolution, recommending rejection.

Original Text of Resolution:

(D083)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 79th General Convention of The Episcopal Church amend Canon III.10.2 by adding a new subsection (d) to read as follows:

(d) Bishops of Anglican Communion Dioceses Admitted into Union with the General Convention

(1) Upon the admission of a Diocese of the Anglican Communion into union with the General Convention, any existing Bishops of the Diocese may be received into The Episcopal Church pursuant to the provisions of this subsection. The Standing Committee of the Diocese shall by its President, or by some other person or persons specially appointed, immediately send to the Presiding Bishop and to the Standing Committees of the several Dioceses a certificate as to each such Bishop by the Secretary of Convention of the Diocese bearing a certificate of receipt of:

(i) evidence of the Bishop’s having been duly ordered Deacon, Priest, and Bishop, and of the election or appointment to office of Bishop Diocesan or other episcopal office;

(ii) evidence of moral and godly character and of having met theological requirements of the Diocese;

(iii) the written declaration required by Article VIII of the Constitution of the Episcopal Church; and

(iv) certificates from a licensed medical doctor, and licensed psychologist and substance abuse professional, authorized by the Presiding Bishop, that they have thoroughly examined the Bishop as to that person’s medical, psychological and psychiatric condition and for substance, chemical and alcohol use and abuse and have not discovered any reason why the person would not be fit to undertake the work for which the person has been chosen. Forms and procedures agreed to by the Presiding Bishop and The Church Pension Fund shall be used for this purpose.

(2) The Presiding Bishop, without delay, shall notify every Bishop of this Church exercising jurisdiction of the Presiding Bishop’s receipt of the certificate described in Canon III.10(d)(1) and request a statement of consent or withholding of consent. Each Standing Committee, within sixty days after the sending of such certificate, shall respond by sending the Standing Committee of the Diocese for which reception of the Bishop is requested either the testimonial of consent in the form set out in Canon III.10(d)(3) or written notice of its refusal to give consent. If a majority of the Standing Committees of all the Dioceses consents to the reception of the Bishop, the Standing Committee of the Diocese of the Bishop seeking reception shall then forward the evidence of the consents to the Presiding Bishop. If the Presiding Bishop receives sufficient statements to indicate that a majority of those Bishops and a majority of the Standing Committees consent to the reception, the Presiding Bishop shall, without delay, notify the Standing Committee of the Diocese for the Bishop seeking reception and such Bishop of the consent, and

(3) Evidence of the consent of each Standing Committee shall be a testimonial in the following words, signed by a majority of all the members of the Committee:

We, being a majority of all the members of the Standing Committee of DeputiesDeputies, and having been duly convened at DeputiesDeputies, fully sensible how important it is that the Sacred Order and Office of a Bishop should not be unworthily conferred, and firmly persuaded that it is our duty to bear testimony on this solemn occasion without partiality, do, in the presence of Almighty God, testify that we know of no impediment on account of which the Right Reverend A.B. ought not to be received into The Episcopal Church. In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands this _____ day of Deputies__in the year of our Lord Deputies__.

(Signed) ________

(4) In case a majority of all the Standing Committees of the Dioceses do not consent to the reception of the Bishop within sixty days from the date of the notification by the Standing Committee of the Diocese for which the Bishop seeks reception, or in case a majority of all the Bishops exercising jurisdiction do not consent within sixty days from the date of notification to them by the Presiding Bishop, the Presiding Bishop shall give notice to the Standing Committee of the Diocese for the Bishop seeking reception and such Bishop. The Convention of the Diocese may then proceed to a new election.

(5) Following reception and continuing for three years following reception, newly received Bishops shall pursue the process of formation authorized by the House of Bishops. This process of formation shall provide a mentor for each newly received Bishop.

(6) The provisions of Canon III.10.2(a) & (c) shall not apply to Bishops.

Motion defeated

Resolution rejected

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #286)