Resolution Number: 2015-A171
Title: Give Thanks for the Papal Encyclical on Climate Change
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred as Substituted
Final Text:

Resolved, That the 78th General Convention welcomes the release of the Papal Encyclical Letter Laudato Si’ of Pope Francis, a landmark encyclical focusing on the reality of climate change and the interrelated nature of our world; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention encourage the Presiding Bishop to write a Pastoral Letter to the Church on climate change before the United Nations Climate Change Summit in Paris in late 2015.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Salt Lake City, 2015 (New York: General Convention, 2015), p. 909.

Legislative History

Author: Legislative Committee on Environmental Stewardship and Care of Creation
Originating House: House of Bishops
Originating Committee: Environmental Stewardship and Care of Creation

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on Environmental Stewardship and Care of Creation presented its Report #12 on Resolution A171 (Commendation of Papal Encyclical) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(A171)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 78th General Convention commend the Papal Encyclical Letter LAUDATO SI’ OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS ON CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME (24 May 2015, http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.html) to the dioceses and congregations of The Episcopal Church for study and reflection; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention encourage the House of Bishops to administer a Pastoral Letter on the reality of Climate Change and the pastoral and theological implications of the same in time for the United Nations Climate Change Conference, Paris, France beginning on November 30, 2015.

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 78th General Convention commend the Papal Encyclical Letter LAUDATO SI’ OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS ON CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME (24 May 2015, http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.html) to the dioceses and congregations of The Episcopal Church for study and reflection; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention encourage the House of Bishops to administer a Pastoral Letter on the reality of Climate Change and the pastoral and theological implications of the same in time for the United Nations Climate Change Conference, Paris, France beginning on November 30, 2015.

The Rt. Rev. Kirk Smith, Bishop of Arizona, moved to amend the resolution.

Proposed Amendment:

Delete "of the Holy Father Francis On Care for Our Common Home" after "Laudato si".

Motion defeated

Amendment defeated

The Rt. Rev. Michael Smith, Bishop of North Dakota, moved to postpone consideration to a time certain.

Motion carried

Consideration postponed

[Ed. Note: Debate resumed on Resolution A171 in the afternoon of the Sixth Legislative Day.]

Continuation of Debate on A171

The House of Bishops Committee on Environmental Stewardship and Care of Creation presented its Report #12 on Resolution A171 (Commendation of Papal Encyclical) and moved adoption of a substitute.

Original Text of Resolution:

(A171)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 78th General Convention commend the Papal Encyclical Letter LAUDATO SI’ OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS ON CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME (24 May 2015, http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.html) to the dioceses and congregations of The Episcopal Church for study and reflection; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention encourage the House of Bishops to administer a Pastoral Letter on the reality of Climate Change and the pastoral and theological implications of the same in time for the United Nations Climate Change Conference, Paris, France beginning on November 30, 2015.

Committee Substitute:

Resolved, That the 78th General Convention welcomes the release of the Papal Encyclical Letter Laudato Si’ of Pope Francis, a landmark encyclical focusing on the reality of climate change and the interrelated nature of our world; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention encourage the Presiding Bishop to write a Pastoral Letter to the Church on climate change before the United Nations Climate Change Summit in Paris in late 2015.

Motion carried

Substitute resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #132)

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on Environmental Stewardship and Care of Creation presented its Report #6 on HB Message #132 on Resolution A171 (Commendation of Papal Encyclical) and moved concurrence.

Motion carried

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #357)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 3.

Abstract:   The 78th General Convention welcomes the papal encyclical on climate change and encourages the Presiding Bishop to write a pastoral letter to the Church in anticipation of the 2015 Paris climate summit.