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Resolution Number: 1979-A125
Title: Amend Constitution Article VIII [Declaration for Ordination--Second Reading]
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred
Final Text:

Resolved, That the 66th General Convention approve the following amendment to the second paragraph of Article VIII of the Constitution, such proposed amendment having been made known to the several Dioceses and Missionary Districts and to the Convocation of the American Churches in Europe, in accordance with Article XI of the Constitution, to wit:

That the paragraph be amended to read as follows:

I do believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, and to contain all things necessary to salvation; and I do solemnly engage to conform to the Doctrine, Discipline, and Worship of the Protestant Episcopal Church.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Denver, 1979 (New York: General Convention, 1980), p. C-37.

Legislative History

Author:
Originating House: House of Deputies
Originating Committee: Committee on Constitution

House of Deputies

On the third day, Deputy Fred C. Scribner (Maine), Chairman of the Committee on Constitution, submitted to the House Report #3 on Resolution A-125, on the Oath of Conformity (D-39 in the 1976 Journal), and recommended adoption:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 66th General Convention approve the following amendment to the second paragraph of Article VIII of the Constitution, such proposed amendment having been made known to the several Dioceses and Missionary Districts and to the Convocation of the American Churches in Europe, in accordance with Article XI of the Constitution, to wit:

  1. That the paragraph be amended to read as follows:

    I do believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments to be the Word of God, and to contain all things necessary to salvation; and I do solemnly engage to conform to the Doctrine, Discipline, and Worship of the Protestant Episcopal Church.

A vote by Orders (ballot #1) was taken.

The Secretary announced the results of the vote by orders (ballot #1) on Resolution A-125.

The vote was:

Clergy Yes--113   No--0   Divided--0
Lay Yes--110   No--0   Divided--0

Deputy Donald Baustian (Iowa) moved that the Secretary dispense with the reading of the entire ballot and only announce the final tally.

Deputy Crump (Tennessee) moved a substitute motion requesting that the Secretary read only the "nays" and "divided" votes, announcing that all other Dioceses were voting in the affirmative.

The President put the substitute motion to a vote of the House, and the substitute prevailed.

The vote was called on the main motion.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #8)

House of Bishops

HD Message #8 was received on the fourth day.

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #47)

Abstract:   The 66th General Convention amends Constitution Article VIII to remove the word (Protestant) prior to the words (Episcopal Church) as it appears in the Oath of Conformity.