| Resolution Number: | 2012-C029 |
|---|---|
| Title: | Reaffirm Baptism Before Holy Communion |
| Legislative Action Taken: | Concurred as Substituted and Amended |
| Final Text: | |
Resolved, That The Episcopal Church reaffirms that baptism is the ancient and normative entry point to receiving Holy Communion and that our Lord Jesus Christ calls us to go into the world and baptize all peoples.
| Citation: | General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Indianapolis, 2012 (New York: General Convention, 2012), pp. 728-729. |
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Legislative History
| Author: | Diocese of North Carolina |
|---|---|
| Originating House: | House of Deputies |
| Originating Committee: | Evangelism |
House of Deputies
The House of Deputies Committee on Evangelism presented its Report #12 on Resolution C029 (Access to Holy Baptism and Holy Communion) and moved adoption of a substitute.
Original Text of Resolution
(C029)
Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 77th General Convention direct the Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies to appoint a special commission charged with conducting a study of the theology underlying access to Holy Baptism and Holy Communion in this Church and to recommend for consideration by the 78th General Convention any amendment to Title I, Canon 17, Section 7, of the Canons of General Convention that it deems appropriate; and be it further
Resolved, That the General Convention request the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance to consider a budget allocation of $30,000 for the implementation of this Resolution.
Committee Substitute
Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That The Episcopal Church reaffirms that baptism is the ancient and normative entry point to receiving Holy Communion and that our Lord Jesus Christ calls us to go into the world and baptize all peoples. We also acknowledge that in various local contexts there is the exercise of pastoral sensitivity with those who are not yet baptized.
Deputy Michell of Dallas moved to amend the substitute resolution.
Proposed Amendment
Delete “We also acknowledge that in various local contexts there is the exercise of pastoral sensitivity with those who are not yet baptized.”
Deputy Gunter of Chicago moved to amend the amendment.
Proposed Amendment
Add “occasional” following “there is the” and before “exercise of pastoral”.
Deputy King of Western New York moved the previous question on the amendment and the amendment to the amendment.
Motion carried
Debate terminated
A vote was taken on the amendment to the amendment.
Motion defeated
Amendment defeated
A vote was taken on the amendment.
Motion defeated
Amendment defeated
Deputy Hart of Pennsylvania moved the previous question.
Motion carried
Debate terminated
Deputy Clarkson of Georgia called for a Vote By Orders on behalf of the clerical deputations of Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, and Southwest Florida and the lay deputations of Georgia and South Carolina.
The President called for the Voting Secretary.
Deputy Hallas of Chicago brought to the President’s attention that only 2 of the 8 members of the deputation of South Carolina were on the floor. The President ruled that the deputation had to be present to call for a Vote By Orders and asked Deputy Clarkson for clarification. The President ruled that the Vote By Orders was in order because enough of the other deputations calling for the Vote By Orders were present.
A Vote By Orders was taken on the substitute resolution.
House of Deputies
Results of Vote By Orders on Resolution C029
| Type | Total | Necessary | Yes | No | Divided | No+Divided | Result |
| Lay: | 110 | 56 | 85 | 16 | 9 | 25 | Carried |
| Clergy: | 111 | 56 | 70 | 24 | 16 | 40 | Carried |
Motion carried
Substitute resolution adopted
(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #229)
House of Bishops
The House of Bishops Committee on Evangelism presented its Report #7 on HD Message #229 on Resolution C029 (Access to Holy Baptism and Holy Communion) and moved concurrence.
The Bishop of Puerto Rico moved an amendment.
Proposed Amendment
In the Second Resolve, add “with the authorization of the Bishop.”
Motion defeated
Amendment defeated
The Bishop of the Pastoral Care Development Office moved to refer the resolution to the House of Bishops Theology Committee.
Motion defeated
The Bishop of New York moved an amendment.
Proposed Amendment
Delete the closing sentence, “we also acknowledge….not yet baptized.”
The question was called.
Motion carried
Debate terminated
A vote was taken on the New York amendment.
Motion carried
Amendment adopted
A vote was taken on Resolution C029 as amended.
The House adopted with amendment
(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message # 243)
House of Deputies
The House of Deputies Committee on Evangelism presented its Report #20 on HB Message #243 on Resolution C029 (Access to Holy Baptism and Holy Communion) and moved concurrence.
Deputy Buchanan of New Hampshire moved to refer the resolution to the Standing Commission on Mission and Evangelism.
Deputy Dyer of Connecticut moved the previous question.
A vote was taken on the referral.
Motion defeated
A vote was taken on the resolution. A voice vote was inconclusive. A paper vote was taken.
Motion carried
The House concurred
(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #370)
Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 12.
| Abstract: | The 77th General Convention reaffirms baptism as the entry point for receiving Holy Communion. |
|---|---|
| Notes: | Resolution 2012-C040 was discharged because the matter was already acted upon in 2012-C029. |