Resolution Number: 1991-A100
Title: Give Spiritual Direction and Care for Those Addicted
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred As Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That the 70th General Convention urge the Church to give spiritual direction and care to those addicted to substances, and their families, and that alcohol and drug abuse be given a prominent place in this Church's program for the Decade of Evangelism; and be it further

Resolved, That all dioceses be urged to provide training in the spiritual issues related to chemical dependence for those giving such spiritual direction.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Phoenix, 1991 (New York: General Convention, 1992), p. 385.

Legislative History

Author: The Standing Commission on Health
Originating House: House of Bishops
Originating Committee: Committee on Social and Urban Affairs

House of Bishops

Original Text of Resolution:

(A100)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 70th General Convention urge the Church to give spiritual direction and care to those addicted to substance abuse and that alcohol and drug abuse be given a prominent place in this Church's program for the Decade of Evangelism.

Proposed Committee Amendments:

Following the words "direction and care," insert the words "and to provide and to support treatment facilities and agencies which provide rehabilitation services."

Following the words "addicted to substance abuse and that," insert "through the use of church facilities and other related parish ministries, efforts to overcome."

Following the words "given a prominent place in," insert the words "the Church's program." and strike remainder of the sentence.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #22)

House of Deputies

The Committee on Social and Urban Affairs presented its Report #29 on House of Bishops Message #22 relating to Resolution A100 (Spiritual Direction and Care for Addicted) and moved concurrence.

Deputy Fryer of Pennsylvania moved an amendment to A100 which was accepted by the committee.

Proposed Amendment:

On line 3, add the letter "s" to the word "substance" and delete the word "abuse" following the word "substance."

Motion carried

Fryer amendment adopted

Deputy Robbins of Southern Ohio moved an amendment to A100.

Proposed Amendment:

Add the words "and their families between the words "substance" and "and."

Deputy Werner of Pittsburgh moved to postpone consideration of A100 until a time certain and following consideration of D172 (Alcohol and Drug Addiction as Program Priorities).

The question was called.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on the Werner motion.

Werner motion carried

Consideration of the resolution postponed

The Committee on Social and Urban Affairs presented its Report #41 on House of Bishops Message #22 on Resolution A100 (Spiritual Direction and Care for Addicted) and moved concurrence with amendment.

Proposed Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 70th General Convention urge the Church to give spiritual direction and care to those addicted to substance abuse and their families and that alcohol and drug abuse be given a prominent place in this Church's program for the Decade of Evangelism: and be it further

Resolved, That all dioceses be urged to provide training in the spiritual issues related to chemically dependent people and their families for those giving such spiritual direction.

Deputy Fryer of Pennsylvania moved an amendment.

Proposed Amendment:

In line 2-3, add the letter "s" to the word "substance."

In line 2-3, delete the word "abuse" following the word "substance."

The question was called on the Fryer amendment and the main motion.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

The Fryer amendment was accepted by the Committee.

A vote was taken on Resolution A100 as amended.

Motion carried

The House concurred with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #247)

House of Bishops

The Committee on Social and Urban Affairs presented its Report #63 on House of Deputies Message #247 on Resolution A100a (Spiritual Direction and Care for Addicted) and moved concurrence.

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #364)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 20.

Report Reference:   Standing Commission on Health, Reports to the 70th General Convention, 1991, pp. 178-191.
Abstract:   The 70th General Convention urges the Church to give spiritual direction and care to those addicted to alcohol and drugs.