| Resolution Number: | 2018-A087 |
|---|---|
| Title: | Call for Guidance on Intimate Relationships Other Than Marriage |
| Legislative Action Taken: | Concurred as Amended |
| Final Text: | |
Resolved, That the 79th General Convention seeks to minister to the growing number of persons entering into sexually intimate relationships other than marriage, while acknowledging the Church's teaching on marriage, by calling for the curation and increased awareness of resources that provide pastoral guidance and teaching on relationships that involve sexual expression; and be it further
Resolved, That the selection process for resources shall be guided by the following principles that were adopted by General Convention 2000-D039: "That we expect such relationships will be characterized by following statement guide the development of these resources: “Qualities of relationship that ground in faithfulness the expression of sexual intimacy include: fidelity, monogamy, commitment, mutual affection and respect, careful and honest communication, physical maturity, emotional maturity, mutual consent, and the holy love which enables those in such intimate relationships to see in each other the image of God.”; and be it further
Resolved, That the 79th General Convention provide guidance to persons seeking to honor God’s call in all aspects of their lives by calling for the development intentional discernment to relationship, be it to singleness, celibacy, marriage, and/or parenting; and for the curation and increased awareness of resources, including but not limited to spiritual practices, to aid individuals and couples in discerning their vocation to relationship, be it to singleness, celibacy, marriage and/or parenting; and be it further
Resolved, That the Office of Formation, through partnerships with organizations such as Forma and Church Publishing, curate and create awareness of materials consistent with this resolution.
| Citation: | General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Austin, 2018 (New York: General Convention, 2018), pp. 910-911. |
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Legislative History
| Author: | Task Force on the Study of Marriage |
|---|---|
| Originating House: | House of Deputies |
| Originating Committee: | Christian Formation and Discipleship |
House of Deputies
The House of Deputies Committee on Christian Formation and Discipleship presented its Report #9 on Resolution A087 (Develop Relationship Pastoral Resources) and moved adoption with amendment.
Original Text of Resolution:
(A087)
Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 79th General Convention acknowledge and minister to the growing number of persons entering into sexually intimate relationships other than marriage by calling for the development of resources that provide pastoral guidance and teaching on relationships that involve sexual expression; and be it further
Resolved, That the following statement guide the development of these resources: “Qualities of relationship that ground in faithfulness the expression of sexual intimacy include: fidelity, monogamy, commitment, mutual affection, mutual respect, careful and honest communication, physical maturity, emotional maturity, mutual consent, and the holy love which enables those in intimate relationships to see in each other the image of God”; and be it further
Resolved, That the 79th General Convention provide guidance to persons seeking to honor God’s call in all aspects of their lives by calling for the development of resources, including but not limited to spiritual practices, to aid individuals and couples in discerning their vocation to relationship, be it to singleness, celibacy, marriage and/or parenting; and be it further
Resolved, That the Presiding Officers of the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies appoint jointly a task force to develop these resources; and be it further
Resolved, That the task force report and offer these resources to the 80th General Convention for their consideration; and be it further
Resolved, That the General Convention request that the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance consider a budget allocation of $30,000 for the implementation of this resolution.
Committee Amendment:
Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 79th General
Convention acknowledge andseeks to minister to the
growing number of persons entering into sexually intimate relationships other
than marriage, while acknowledging the Church's teaching on marriage, by
calling for the developmentcuration and increased awareness
of resources that provide pastoral guidance and teaching on relationships
that involve sexual expression; and be it further
Resolved, That the selection process for resources shall be guided
by the following principles that were adopted by General Convention 2000-D039:
"That we expect such relationships will be characterized by
following statement guide the development of these resources:
“Qualities of relationship that ground in faithfulness the expression of sexual
intimacy include: fidelity, monogamy, commitment,
mutual affection, mutual and respect, careful,
and honest communication, physical maturity, emotional
maturity, mutual consent, and the holy love which enables those in
suchintimate relationships to see in each other the
image of God.”; and be it further
Resolved, That the 79th General Convention provide guidance to
persons seeking to honor God’s call in all aspects of their lives by calling
for the development intentional discernment to
relationship, be it to singleness, celibacy, marriage, and/or parenting; and
for the curation and increased awareness of resources, including but not
limited to spiritual practices, to aid individuals and couples in discerning
their vocation to relationship, be it to singleness, celibacy, marriage
and/or parenting; and be it further
Resolved, That the Office of Formation, through partnerships with organizations such as Forma and Church Publishing, curate and create awareness of materials consistent with this resolution.
Resolved, That the Presiding Officers of the House of Bishops
and the House of Deputies appoint jointly a task force to develop these
resources; and be it further
Resolved, That the task force report and offer these
resources to the 80th General Convention for their consideration; and be it
further
Resolved, That the General Convention request that the Joint
Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance consider a budget allocation
of $30,000 for the implementation of this resolution.
Motion carried
Resolution adopted with amendment
(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #62)
House of Bishops
The House of Bishops Committee on Christian Formation and Discipleship presented its Report #8 on HD Message #62 on Resolution A087 (Develop Relationship Pastoral Resources) and moved concurrence.
Motion carried
The House concurred
(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #163)
Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 10.
| Report Reference: | Task Force on the Study of Marriage, Reports to the 79th General Convention, 2018, pp. 776-896. |
|---|---|
| Abstract: | The 79th General Convention calls for the creation and dissemination of resources providing pastoral guidance and teaching on relationships that involve sexual expression. |