House of Bishops to Consider Issues
Diocesan Press Service. October 13, 1972 [72147]
NEW ORLEANS, La. (DPS) -- The agenda committee of the House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church, which meets here October 29 - November 3, has identified four issues that will likely call for major discussion, according to the Secretary of the House, the Rt. Rev. Scott Field Bailey, Suffragan Bishop of Texas.
In response to a questionnaire which the agenda committee sent to the Bishops of the Church, the committee will propose to the House that time be scheduled during the week for discussion of the following issues: ordination of women to the priesthood, Monday morning; Prayer Book revision procedure and theological rationale, Monday afternoon; the Pastoral Development Office, Tuesday afternoon; and the Office of the Presiding Bishop, Thursday afternoon.
The House of Bishops is one of the two houses which form the General Convention, the bicameral legislature governing the Episcopal Church. The other body, the House of Deputies, composed of both clerical and lay representatives, normally meets every three years at General Convention in conjunction with the House of Bishops to enact legislation, to approve Church programs and to adopt a budget for the next triennial period. Both Houses meet together next as General Convention in the fall of 1973.
The House of Bishops usually meets once a year, and when meeting alone limits itself to matters of general concern affecting the state of the Church. It does not have legislative power alone to initiate programs or amend programs approved by Convention.
The 1972 session of the House of Bishops will convene on Sunday, Oct. 29, at 8:00 p. m., for an opening service, and the proposed adjournment time is Friday, Nov. 3, at noon.
NOTE: The House of Bishops will meet at The Fontainebleau Motor Hotel, 4040 Tulane Ave., New Orleans, La. 70119 - Tel. (504) 486-6111. A press room will be located in the Patio 2 room. Members of the press who plan to attend should notify, if possible, the Executive Council Press Representative.