| Resolution Number: | 2015-A115 |
|---|---|
| Title: | Amend Canon III.12.9 [Life and Work of a Bishop: the Pastoral Relation] |
| Legislative Action Taken: | Concurred as Amended |
| Final Text: | |
Resolved, That the 78th General Convention amend Canon III.12.9 as follows:
Sec. 9. Reconciliation of Disagreements Affecting the Pastoral Relation between a Bishop and a Diocese
When the pastoral relationship between a Bishop Diocesan, Bishop
Coadjutor or Bishop Suffragan and the Diocese is imperiled by disagreement or
dissension, and the issues are deemed serious by thea
Bishop of that Diocese or a two-thirds majority vote of all of the
members of the Standing Committee or a two-thirds majority vote of the Diocesan
Convention, any party may petition the Presiding Bishop, in writing, to
intervene and assist the parties in their efforts to resolve the disagreement
or dissension. The written petition shall include sufficient information to
inform the Presiding Bishop and the parties involved of the nature, causes, and
specifics of the disagreements or dissension imperiling the pastoral
relationship. The Presiding Bishop shall initiate such proceedings as are
deemed appropriate under the circumstances to attempt to reconcile the parties,
which may include the appointment of a consultant or licensed mediator. The
parties to the disagreement, following the recommendations of the Presiding
Bishop, shall labor in good faith toward that reconciliation. If such
proceedings lead to reconciliation, said reconciliation shall contain
definitions of responsibility and accountability for the Bishop and the
Diocese.
Sec. 10. Reconciliation of Disagreements Affecting the Collegial Relation between Bishops in the Same Diocese
When the collegial relationship between a Bishop Diocesan, Bishop Coadjutor, or Bishop Suffragan is imperiled by disagreement or dissension, and the issues are deemed serious by a Bishop of that Diocese or a two-thirds majority vote of all of the members of the Standing Committee or a two-thirds majority vote of the Diocesan Convention, any party may petition the Presiding Bishop, in writing, to intervene and assist the parties in their efforts to resolve the disagreement or dissension. The written petition shall include sufficient information to inform the Presiding Bishop and the parties involved of the nature, causes, and specifics of the disagreements or dissension imperiling the collegial relationship. The Presiding Bishop shall initiate such proceedings as are deemed appropriate under the circumstances to attempt to reconcile the parties, which may include the appointment of a consultant or licensed mediator. The parties to the disagreement, following the recommendations of the Presiding Bishop, shall labor in good faith toward that reconciliation. If such proceedings lead to reconciliation, said reconciliation shall contain definitions of responsibility and accountability for the Bishops and the Diocese.
Sec. 1011. Dissolution of the Pastoral Relation
between a Bishop and Diocese
| Citation: | General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Salt Lake City, 2015 (New York: General Convention, 2015), p. 425. |
|---|
Legislative History
| Author: | House of Bishops Committee on Pastoral Development |
|---|---|
| Originating House: | House of Deputies |
| Originating Committee: | Formation and Education for Ministry |
House of Deputies
The House of Deputies Committee on Formation and Education for Ministry presented its Report #39 on Resolution A115 (Amend Title III.12.9: Reconciliation of Disagreements Affecting the Pastoral Relation between a Bishop and Diocese) and moved adoption.
Original Text of Resolution:
(A115)
Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That Canon III.12.9 be amended as follows:
Sec. 9. When the pastoral relationship between a Bishop Diocesan, Bishop
Coadjutor or Bishop Suffragan and the Diocese is imperiled by disagreement or
dissension, and the issues are deemed serious by thea
Bishop of that Diocese or a two-thirds majority vote of all of the
members of the Standing Committee or a two-thirds majority vote of the Diocesan
Convention, any party may petition the Presiding Bishop, in writing, to
intervene and assist the parties in their efforts to resolve the disagreement
or dissension. The written petition shall include sufficient information to
inform the Presiding Bishop and the parties involved of the nature, causes, and
specifics of the disagreements or dissension imperiling the pastoral
relationship. The Presiding Bishop shall initiate such proceedings as are
deemed appropriate under the circumstances to attempt to reconcile the parties,
which may include the appointment of a consultant or licensed mediator. The
parties to the disagreement, following the recommendations of the Presiding
Bishop, shall labor in good faith toward that reconciliation. If such
proceedings lead to reconciliation, said reconciliation shall contain
definitions of responsibility and accountability for the Bishop and the
Diocese.
Sec. 10. Reconciliation of Disagreements Affecting the Collegial Relation between Bishops in the Same Diocese
When the collegial relationship between a Bishop Diocesan, Bishop Coadjutor, or Bishop Suffragan is imperiled by disagreement or dissension, and the issues are deemed serious by a Bishop of that Diocese or a two-thirds majority vote of all of the members of the Standing Committee or a two-thirds majority vote of the Diocesan Convention, any party may petition the Presiding Bishop, in writing, to intervene and assist the parties in their efforts to resolve the disagreement or dissension. The written petition shall include sufficient information to inform the Presiding Bishop and the parties involved of the nature, causes, and specifics of the disagreements or dissension imperiling the collegial relationship. The Presiding Bishop shall initiate such proceedings as are deemed appropriate under the circumstances to attempt to reconcile the parties, which may include the appointment of a consultant or licensed mediator. The parties to the disagreement, following the recommendations of the Presiding Bishop, shall labor in good faith toward that reconciliation. If such proceedings lead to reconciliation, said reconciliation shall contain definitions of responsibility and accountability for the Bishops and the Diocese.
Sec. 1011. Dissolution of the Pastoral Relation
between a Bishop and Diocese
Motion carried
Resolution adopted
(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #216)
House of Bishops
The House of Bishops Committee on Formation and Education for Ministry presented its Report #33 on HD Message #216 on Resolution A115 (Amend Title III.12.9: Reconciliation of Disagreements Affecting the Pastoral Relation between a Bishop and Diocese) and moved concurrence.
Motion carried
The House concurred
(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #311)
Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 3.
| Report Reference: | House of Bishops Committee on Pastoral Development, Reports to the 78th General Convention, 2015, pp. 54-63. |
|---|---|
| Abstract: | The 78th General Convention amends Canon III.12 by adding language to Section 9; and adding new Section 10 regarding the reconciliation of a collegial relation among bishops of the same diocese. |
| Notes: | The numbering of the Canon III.12 was further altered by resolution 2015-A120 that added a new section, III.12.8 (Return to the Ordained Ministry Due to Removal and Release). As a result, Canon III.12.9 and III.12.10 became sections III.12.10 and III.12.11 in the Constitution and Canons, 2015. |