Resolution Number: 1988-A103
Title: Authorize the Supplemental Liturgical Texts
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred As Substituted and Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That this 69th General Convention direct the Standing Liturgical Commission to continue to study, develop, and evaluate supplemental inclusive language liturgical texts, as previously directed by the 68th General Convention in consultation with the House of Bishop's Theology Committee, among other consultants; and be it further

Resolved, That for the sake of perfecting draft rites, this Convention authorize for use, under the direction of the ecclesiastical authority, for a period of two years, beginning not later than Advent 1989, the Supplemental Liturgical Texts, as said texts are revised by the Standing Liturgical Commission in consultation with the Theology Committee of the House of Bishops; such use always to be limited by the direction of the ecclesiastical authority; and be it further

Resolved, That this 69th General Convention appropriate in the budget of the Convention for the triennium 1989-1991, the sum of $30,607.00 for the continuing study, development and evaluation of supplemental liturgical texts.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Detroit, 1988 (New York: General Convention, 1989), p. 327.

Legislative History

Author: The Standing Liturgical Commission
Originating House: House of Bishops
Originating Committee: Committee on Prayer Book and Liturgy

House of Bishops

Original Text of Resolution:

(A103)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the Standing Liturgical Commission present to this Sixty-ninth General Convention for its approval the experience and the texts of the work of this Commission and its Committee on Supplemental Liturgical Texts for continuing study and development throughout the next triennium, under the coordination of the Standing Liturgical Commission; and be it further

Resolved, That this Sixty-ninth General Convention authorize, for experimental use, under the direction of the diocesan bishop or the ecclesiastical authority, for a period of three years beginning Advent 1988, the Supplemental Liturgical Texts.

Proposed Committee Substitute:

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That this 69th General Convention direct the Standing Liturgical Commission to continue to study, develop, and evaluate supplemental liturgical texts in consultation with the House of Bishops' Theology Committee, among other consultants; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention, pursuant to the exercise of authority granted in the Book of Common Prayer (p.13), authorize for use, under the direction of the ecclesiastical authority, for a period of two years, beginning Advent 1989, the Supplemental Liturgical Texts, as said texts are revised by the Standing Liturgical Commission in consultation with the Theology Committee of the House of Bishops, such use always to be limited by the direction of the ecclesiastical authority; and be it further

Resolved, That this 69th General Convention appropriate in the budget of the Convention for the triennium 1989-1991 the sum of $30,607 for the continuing study, development and evaluation of supplemental liturgical texts.

The Bishop of Chicago moved an amendment.

Proposed Amendment:

In the second Resolved:

add "not later than" after "beginning."

The motion was accepted by the Committee.

The Bishop of Georgia moved to refer the Resolution to the Committee on Canons.

Motion carried

Resolution referred to Legislative Committee

After consultation with the Committee on Canons, the Committee on Prayer Book and Liturgy returned to its Report #34 on Resolution A103 (Supplemental Liturgical Texts) and proposed its original substitute, with the following amendment:

Proposed Amendment:

In the second Resolved:

add the words "for the sake of perfecting draft rites for trial use" following "Resolved, That"; also

delete "pursuant to the exercise of authority granted in The Book of Common Prayer (p.13);" and insert "not later than" before "Advent 1989."

Motion carried

Substitute resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #189)

House of Deputies

[On the ninth day] Deputy Gehrig of Olympia moved to suspend the Rules to consider A103.

Motion defeated

[On the tenth day] Deputy Dales of New Hampshire moved to suspend the Rules in order to consider immediately A103s.

Motion carried by a two-thirds majority

The Committee on Dispatch of Business moved its Report #24 on the order for debate on A103s.

Motion carried

Report approved

The Committee on Prayer Book and Liturgy presented its Report #30 on House of Bishops Message #189 relating to Resolution A103s (Supplemental Liturgical Texts) and moved concurrence with the House of Bishops Substitute as amended by the Committee.

Proposed Committee Amendment:

In the first Resolved:

insert the words "inclusive language" between the words "supplemental" and "liturgical"; also

add the words "as previously directed by the 68th General Convention" after the word "texts."

In the second Resolved, following the words "draft rites":

strike the words "for trial use."

Debate followed.

The question was called on A103s.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

Deputy Jones of Central New York moved that the Rules be suspended in order for the House to hear an opinion on the constitutionality of A103s.

Motion defeated

Deputy Newell of Ohio moved suspension of the Rules to give the House of Deputies Committee on Constitution time to speak to the constitutionality of A103s.

Motion carried by a two-thirds majority

The Committee on Constitution reported on the constitutionality of A103s.

The lay deputation of Colorado and the clerical deputations of Arkansas and Fort Worth called for a vote by orders on A103s.

Ballot #17 was taken by orders on A103s.

The Secretary announced the results of Ballot #17 on House of Bishops Message #189 on Resolution A103s (Supplemental Liturgical Texts).

Lay Yes -65 No -36 Divided -9
Clerical Yes -68 No -34 Divided -8

The House concurred with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #330)

House of Bishops

The Committee on Prayer Book and Liturgy presented its Report #39 on House of Deputies Message #330 on Resolution A103sa (Supplemental Liturgical Texts) and moved concurrence.

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #408)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 11.

Report Reference:   Standing Liturgical Commission, Reports to the 69th General Convention, 1988, pp. 171-207.
Abstract:   The 69th General Convention directs the Liturgical Commission to study and evaluate supplemental inclusive language liturgical texts and authorizes for use the Supplemental Liturgical Texts.