The Rt. Rev. Charles F. Duvall, Bishop of the Central Gulf Coast, presided over his 20th and final convention Feb. 8-10 at St. Luke's Church in Mobile. Bishop Duvall plans to retire in May. The Very Rev. Philip Duncan II will succeed Bishop Duvall.

Three controversial resolutions, two of which were submitted by a priest who has since left the Episcopal Church, occupied a significant portion of conversation during the business session.

The resolutions committee submitted a substitute resolution for one of the pre-filed ones supported by the Rev. William Stoudenmire. The original resolution called for the convention to direct the standing committee and the bishop to "rescind the inhibitions of the six priests who left the Episcopal Church to join the Anglican Mission in America, allow them to officiate as priests in all churches of the diocese, and not depose them 'for abandoning the communion of this church'."

The substitute resolution stated the confidence the convention had in the judgment of the bishop and standing committee and commended them for their prompt action in the matter. The resolution was approved.

Another resolution supported by Fr. Stoudenmire called on all parties involved in a lawsuit over title to the property of Christ Church in Mobile to "use either direct negotiations or binding arbitration or mediation to resolve the dispute." It was defeated.

A third resolution called for convention to oppose same-sex unions and the ordination of non-celibate clergy, and to stop financial support to the national headquarters of the Episcopal Church "as a sign of protest for its refusal to recognize and abide by the commonly held resolutions of Lambeth." The financial portion was defeated. After debate and amendments, a resolution was approved that reaffirms the actions of previous diocesan conventions regarding standards of ethics and supports Lambeth resolutions opposing the legitimizing or blessing of same-sex unions.

At the Friday evening banquet, Bishop and Mrs. Duvall were recognized and honored for their 20 years of ministry to the diocese.

The convention admitted St. Monica's in Cantonment, Fla., as a parish after more than 40 years as a mission church. Also welcomed was a delegation from the Church of the Apostles, the newest congregation in the diocese, having had its status as an organized mission in Baldwin County, Ala., approved at the January electing convention.

The convention adopted a budget of just under $2 million, with the understanding that an expected $100,000 shortfall in income would be made up through the use of reserve funds.