Resolution Number: 1994-C042
Title: Prepare Report Considering Rites for Same-Sex Commitments
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred As Substituted and Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That the 71st General Convention direct the Standing Liturgical Commission and the Theology Committee of the House of Bishops to prepare and present to the 72nd General Convention, as part of the Church's ongoing dialogue on human sexuality, a report addressing the theological foundations and pastoral considerations involved in the development of rites honoring love and commitment between persons of the same sex; and be it further

Resolved, That no rites for the honoring of love and commitment between persons of the same sex be developed unless and until the preparation of such rites has been authorized by the General Convention; and be it further

Resolved, That the sum of $8,600 be appropriated to support this work, subject to funding considerations.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Indianapolis, 1994 (New York: General Convention, 1995), p. 819.

Legislative History

Author:
Originating House: House of Bishops
Originating Committee: Committee on Prayer Book and Liturgy

House of Bishops

Original Text of Resolution:

(C042)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That this 71st General Convention direct the Standing Liturgical Commission, in consultation with Diocesan Liturgical Commissions, to study, develop, and evaluate forms of blessing of committed relationships of same-sex couples, for possible inclusion in future editions of The Book of Occasional Services; and be it further

Resolved, That for the sake of perfecting such draft texts as the Standing Liturgical Commission shall develop, this Convention authorizes such texts for use during the next triennium, such use always being with the consent and under the direction of the diocesan bishop or ecclesiastical authority.

Proposed Committee Substitute:

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 71st General Convention direct the Standing Liturgical Commission and the Theology Committee of the House of Bishops to prepare and present to the 72nd General Convention, as part of the Church's ongoing dialogue on human sexuality, a report addressing the theological foundations and pastoral considerations involved in the development of rites honoring love and commitment between persons of the same sex; and be it further

Resolved, That the sum of $8,600 be appropriated to support this work, subject to funding considerations.

The Bishop of Southwest Florida moved to delete "The Standing Liturgical Commission and." Further debate on C042 was postponed pending distribution of copies of the Committee's substitute resolution.

The Bishop of Southwest Florida moved to table Resolution C042 and related amendments until the start of legislative business tomorrow morning.

Motion carried

The Chair of the Committee on Dispatch of Business moved to take Resolution C042 from the table.

Motion carried

The Vice-Chair asked the House to meet in table groups at 11:00 a.m.

The House rose from table groups at 11:10 a.m. to debate Resolution C042.

Debate resumed on the Bishop of Southwest Florida's amendment.

The Bishop of Pennsylvania moved the previous question.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on the Bishop of Southwest Florida's amendment.

Motion defeated

Amendment rejected

Bishop Eastman moved to amend by adding a second resolved:

Proposed Amendment:

Resolved, that no rites for the honoring of love and commitment between persons of the same sex be developed unless and until the Joint Committee reports to the 72nd General Convention.

Bishop Charlton moved to amend the amendment as follows:

Proposed Amendment to the Amendment:

Strike "the Joint Committee reports to the 72nd General Convention" and add "such rites have been authorized by General Convention."

The Bishop of Eastern Oregon moved the previous question.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on Bishop Charlton's amendment to the amendment.

Motion carried

Amendment to the amendment adopted

The Bishop of Los Angeles moved for a five-minute recess for conference.

Motion carried

Bishop Eastman and Bishop Charlton withdrew their amendments in favor of the following amendment:

Proposed Amendment:

Resolved, that no rites for the honoring of love and commitment between persons of the same sex be developed unless and until the preparation of such rite has been authorized by General Convention.

Motion carried

Amendment adopted

The Bishop of Honduras moved the previous question.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on the substitute as amended.

Proposed Committee Substitute as Amended:

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 71st General Convention direct the Standing Liturgical Commission and the Theology Committee of the House of Bishops to prepare and present to the 72nd General Convention, as part of the Church's ongoing dialogue on human sexuality, a report addressing the theological foundations and pastoral considerations involved in the development of rites honoring love and commitment between persons of the same sex; and be it further

Resolved, that no rites for the honoring of love and commitment between persons of the same sex be developed unless and until the preparation of such rites has been authorized by the General Convention.

Resolved, That the sum of $8,600 be appropriated to support this work, subject to funding considerations.

Motion carried

Substitute resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #167)

House of Deputies

Committee No. 14 on Prayer Book and Liturgy presented its report #31 on House of Bishops Message #167 relating to Resolution C042s (Develop Forms of Blessing Same-Sex Couples) and moved concurrence.

Debate followed.

Deputy Neville of Western New York, moved an amendment to C042s.

Proposed Amendment:

In the sixth line of the first Resolved, delete "in the development of rites honoring love and commitment between persons of the same sex" after the words "pastoral considerations in" and add "blessing of same-sex unions".

In the first line of the second Resolved, add "blessing of same-sex unions" between "for" and "be" and delete "rites for honoring of love and commitment between persons of the same sex".

The question was called to terminate debate on the Neville amendment and on the main motion to C042s.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on the Neville amendment to C042s.

Motion defeated

Neville amendment defeated

A vote was taken on C042s.

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #325)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, September 2.

Abstract:   The 71st General Convention directs the preparation of a report on the theological foundations and pastoral considerations of rites honoring love and commitment between persons of the same sex. It directs that no rites be developed unless authorized by the General Convention.