Resolution Number: 1976-D095
Title: Reaffirm the 1967 General Convention Statement on Abortion
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred As Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That the following principles and guidelines reflect the mind of the Church meeting in this 65th General Convention:

  1. That the beginning of new human life, because it is a gift of the power of God's love for his people, and thereby sacred, should not and must not be undertaken unadvisedly or lightly but in full accordance of the understanding for which this power to conceive and give birth is bestowed by God.
  2. Such understanding includes the responsibility for Christians to limit the size of their families and to practice responsible birth control. Such means for moral limitations do not include abortions for convenience.
  3. That the position of this Church, stated at the 62nd General Convention of the Church in Seattle in 1967 which declared support for the "termination of pregnancy" particularly in those cases where "the physical or mental health of the mother is threatened seriously, or where there is substantial reason to believe that the child would be born badly deformed in mind or body, or where the pregnancy has resulted from rape or incest" is reaffirmed. Termination of pregnancy for these reasons is permissible.
  4. That in those cases where it is firmly and deeply believed by the person or persons concerned that pregnancy should be terminated for causes other than the above, members of this Church are urged to seek the advice and counsel of a Priest of this Church, and, where appropriate, Penance.
  5. That whenever members of this Church are consulted with regard to proposed termination of pregnancy, they are to explore with the person or persons seeking advice and counsel other preferable courses of action.
  6. That the Episcopal Church express its unequivocal opposition to any legislation on the part of the national or state governments which would abridge or deny the right of individuals to reach informed decisions in this matter and to act upon them.
Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Minneapolis, 1976 (New York: General Convention, 1977), p. C-3.

Legislative History

Author:
Originating House: House of Deputies
Originating Committee: Committee on Social and Urban Affairs

House of Deputies

On the Tenth Day, Deputy Roca (Arizona) presented Report #27 of the Committee on Social and Urban Affairs on Resolution D-95, Abortion.

Deputy Roca moved adoption of the following Resolution D-95 as amended:

Whereas, it is imperative for the Church as a Body of Christ to provide clear guidelines for human behavior which reflect both the love and judgment of God; now therefore be it

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, that the following principles and guidelines reflect the mind of the Church meeting in this 65th General Convention:

  1. That the beginning of new human life, because it is a gift of the power of God's love for his people, and thereby sacred, should not and must not be undertaken unadvisedly or lightly but in full accordance of the understanding for which this power to conceive and give birth is bestowed by God.
  2. Such understanding includes the responsibility for Christians to limit the size of their families and to practice responsible birth control. Such means for moral limitations do not include abortions for convenience.
  3. That the position of this Church, stated at the 62nd General Convention of the Church in Seattle in 1967 which declared support for the "termination of pregnancy" particularly in those cases where "the physical or mental health of the mother is threatened seriously, or where there is substantial reason to believe that the child would be born badly deformed in mind or body, or where the pregnancy has resulted from rape or incest" is reaffirmed. Termination of pregnancy for these reasons is permissible.
  4. That in those cases where it is firmly and deeply believed by the person or persons concerned that pregnancy should be terminated for causes other than the above, members of this Church are urged to seek the advice and counsel of a Priest of this Church, and, where appropriate, Penance.
  5. That whenever members of this Church are consulted with regard to proposed termination of pregnancy, they are to explore with the person or persons seeking advice and counsel other preferable courses of action.
  6. That the Episcopal Church express its unequivocal opposition to any legislation on the part of the national or state governments which would abridge or deny the right of individuals to reach informed decisions in this matter and to act upon them.

Deputy Julien (San Joaquin) moved the adoption of a substitute Resolution (B-125 as originally submitted by the Diocese of Dallas), with certain amendments.

An attempt to postpone the substitute resolution was moved by Deputy Cheney (Mississippi).

Motion defeated

The previous question being called on the substitute resolution, the delegation from Oregon called for a vote by orders.

The results of Ballot #15 on the substitute resolution (B-125 as amended) were:

Clergy    
111 votes cast 56 needed for affirmative action  
25--Yes 72--No 14--Divided
     
Lay    
109 votes cast 55 needed for affirmative action  
13--Yes 86--No 10--Divided

The deputations from New Hampshire and from Spokane asked that they be polled, with the following results:

New Hampshire

Clergy         Lay      
Werner     No   Abbott     No
Sokoloff     No   Nichols     No
Corringham     Yes   Michael     Yes
Getman     No   Urion     Yes
                 
Spokane                
                 
Clergy         Lay      
Campbell     No   Shields     No
Coombs     No   Storey     No
Wood     Yes   Rheberg     No
Williams     No   Melville     No

The substitute lost in both orders.

Resolution defeated

The original Resolution D-95 as amended by the committee now being before the House, a vote was taken and it was adopted.

Resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #149)

House of Bishops

Message #149 was received from the House of Deputies on the Tenth Day.

The Bishop of West Missouri moved that the House of Bishops concur with (D-95 Abortion) with the following amendment:

Whereas, it is imperative for the Church as the Body of Christ to provide guidelines for human behavior which reflect both the love and judgment of God; now therefore be it

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, that the following principles and guidelines reflect the mind of the Church meeting in this 65th General Convention:

  1. That the beginning of new human life, because it is a gift of the power of God's love for his people, and thereby sacred, should not and must not be undertaken unadvisedly or lightly but in full accordance of the understanding for which this power to conceive and give birth is bestowed by God.
  2. That our understanding of Christian family responsibility includes the practice of birth control, but does not accept the practice of abortion for convenience.
  3. That in those cases where, for sufficiently grave medical (including psychiatric) reasons, it is deemed advisable to terminate a pregnancy, members of this Church are instructed to seek the advice and counsel of a priest of this Church about the moral and spiritual dimensions of such action, as well as to seek expert medical advice.
  4. That whenever members of this Church are consulted with regard to proposed termination of pregnancy, they are to explore with the person or persons seeking advice and counsel other preferable courses of action.

The motion to concur with the amendment was seconded by the Bishop of Rochester.

The Amendment failed

The Bishop of Central Florida moved the adoption of the following Amendment to (D-95 Abortion):

That the following be added as resolve 5:

That in all considerations which may lead to abortion, it is the belief of this Church that abortion, by whatever means, is always the loss of human life.

The motion was seconded by The Bishop Suffragan of Dallas.

The Amendment failed

The House of Bishops concurred with House of Deputies Message #149.

[The House concurred]

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #196)

Abstract:   The 65th General Convention adopts a statement of principles and guidelines concerning family planning and abortion.