The Acts of Convention

House of Deputies

On the Eighth Day, the Chairman of the Committee on Admission of New Dioceses, Deputy Bonham (Eastern Oregon), presented Committee Report #4 on Resolution A-13 concerning the Seating of New Dioceses, and moved the following:

Original Text of Resolution:

(A013)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring,

1. That Canon I.1.1(a) be amended to read as follows:
   
   

   Sec. 1(a). At the time and place appointed for the meeting of the General Convention, the President of the House of Deputies, or, in his absence, the Vice-President of the House, or, if there be neither, a Chairman pro tempore appointed by the members of the House of Deputies on the Joint Committee of Arrangements for the General Convention, shall call to order the members present. The Secretary, or, in his absence, a Secretary pro tempore appointed by the presiding officer, shall record the names of those whose testimonials, in due form, shall have been presented to him, which record shall be prima facie evidence that the persons whose names are therein recorded are entitled to seats. In the event that testimonials are presented by or on behalf of persons from jurisdictions which have not previously been represented in a General Convention, then the Secretary, or one appointed in his stead as provided herein, shall proceed as provided in Clause (c). If there be a quorum present, the Secretary shall so certify, and the House shall proceed to organize by the election, by ballot, of a Secretary, and a majority of the votes cast shall be necessary to such election. Upon such election, the presiding officer shall declare the House organized. If there be a vacancy in the office of President or Vice-President, the vacancy or vacancies shall then be filled by election, by ballot, the term of any officer so elected to continue until the adjournment of the General Convention. As soon as such vacancies are filled, the President shall appoint a committee to wait upon the House of Bishops and inform them of the organization of the House of Deputies, and of its readiness to proceed to business.

2. That Canon I.1.1(c) be amended to read as follows:
   
   

   (c). In order to aid the Secretary in preparing the record specified in Clause (a), it shall be the duty of the Secretary of the Convention of every Diocese to forward to him, as soon as may be practicable, a copy of the latest Journal of the Diocesan Convention, together with a certified copy of the testimonials of members aforesaid. He shall also forward a duplicate copy of such testimonials to the Standing Committee of the Diocese in which the General Convention is next to meet. Where testimonials are received for persons from jurisdictions which have not previously been represented in General Convention, the Secretary shall ascertain that the applicable provisions of Article V., Section 1, of the Constitution have been complied with prior to such persons being permitted to take their seats in the House.

Resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #70)