Convention Acts on Many Unpublicized Issues
Diocesan Press Service. October 5, 1967 [58-7]
The 62nd General Convention had a very full docket, and many pieces of "minor" legislation dealt with did not get reported in the press. These, however, are the kind of changes which will affect every Episcopal congregation.
The Convention urged effort at all levels to secure the placement of non-white priests in predominately white congregations and provisions for giving poor and non-white children educational opportunities in church-related schools. It also took the position that all church- related institutions must be open to all.
The Convention called for increased efforts to end discrimination in our national life and endorsed "open occupancy" in all housing.
The Convention also dealt with at number of ecumenical questions beside the Consultation on Church Union. It approved of the participation, with approval of the diocesan bishop, of ministers of other churches in Episcopal services of Burial and Holy Matrimony and of extending invitations to all "Godly persons" to address congregations from pulpits of Episcopal Churches.
When the House of Bishops decided not to publish a Pastoral Letter, but to issue two Position Papers, the question of the relationship between, and authority of, these two forms of communication was raised. A resolution from the House of Bishops call d for appropriate changes so that both would have equal authority and both would be communicated to all members of every Episcopal parish. Approval was later given by the deputies.
How to communicate Pastoral Letters was also debated and approval given to mailing them rather than reading them from the pulpit.
Also encouraged by the Convention was the establishment of interdiocesan metropolitan councils. These councils would be composed of representatives from dioceses which minister to an "urban sprawl" that is on both sides of diocesan boundaries.
Convention dealt with the question of the communicant status of divorced persons, calling for the admission of all "living in stable family Union" but this was defeated by the House of Deputies. During debate it was stated that this whole issue was one for determination by the diocesan bishop.