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Resolution Number: 1982-A162
Title: Adopt Policies for Dioceses Transferring to Another Jurisdiction
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred As Substituted and Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That any Diocese of this Church seeking to withdraw from this jurisdiction of the Anglican Communion in order to form or join an autonomous province of the Anglican Communion under the authority of Title I, Canon 10, Sec. 3(f) shall be subject to the following requirements, effective January 1, 1983:

1) Notice of such intention shall be given at the preceding General Convention after having been approved by diocesan or provincial authority, including the affirmative action by its Convention, that such status will be requested. Such request shall be sent to the following General Convention Interim Bodies:

On Structure

On World Mission

with copies to the Secretary of Executive Council for notification to the appropriate committee(s) of the Council.

2) During the trial period between Conventions, the Treasurer for the Executive Council and the Executive for World Mission shall provide the necessary technical assistance to institute the following procedures and shall report the progress of the Diocese or Province to the bodies to whom such notice of intention has been given, on an annual basis:

a) Establishing appropriate diocesan or provincial Committee(s) to assure that the customary decision-making process is in place, being sensitive to the culture and customs of the jurisdiction;

b) Accounting, reporting, and external control procedures necessary to manage and safeguard the funds of the Diocese or Province. This would include audits and reviews as necessary to ensure the normal checks and balances;

c) Develop a five-year program and budget projection with the appropriate authority in the Diocese or Province, the text of which would describe in detail the goals and objectives of the Diocese or Province during this period. The Treasurer of the Executive Council and the Executive for World Mission are to attach to the goals and objectives any commentary they feel is necessary, including adequate planning for clergy pensions;

d) The Treasurer of the Executive Council and the Executive for World Mission must assure the Structure Committee of General Convention and World Mission and Finance/Administration Committees of Executive Council that the procedures stated in paragraph 2 are in place;

e) Appropriation from the Program Development Budget be given subject to a contractual agreement to ensure stability in the finances of the Diocese or Province during the three-year trial period(s); and be it further

Resolved, That the Structure Committee shall then recommend to General Convention one of the following:

  1. The request be granted;
  2. Extension of the trial period be granted for no more than one additional three-year period;
  3. The request not be granted at this time.
Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, New Orleans, 1982 (New York: General Convention, 1983), p. C-165.