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Resolution Number: 2018-A150
Title: Amend Constitution Article I.2 [House of Bishops--First Reading]
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred as Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution is hereby amended to read as follows:

Article I

Sec. 2. Each Bishop of this Church having jurisdiction, every Bishop Coadjutor, every Bishop Suffragan Bishop, every Assistant Bishop, and every Bishop who by reason of advanced age or bodily infirmity, or who, under an election to an office created by the General Convention, or for reasons of mission strategy determined by action of the General Convention or the House of Bishops, has resigned a jurisdiction, shall have a seat and a vote in the House of Bishops. A majority of all Bishops entitled to vote, exclusive of Bishops who have resigned their jurisdiction or positions, shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Austin, 2018 (New York: General Convention, 2018), p. 366.

Legislative History

Author: Task Force on the Episcopacy
Originating House: House of Bishops
Originating Committee: Constitution and Canons

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on Constitution and Canons presented its Report #24 on Resolution A150 (Amend Article I.2 of the Constitution) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(A150)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution is hereby amended to read as follows:

Article I

Sec. 2. Each Bishop of this Church having jurisdiction, every Bishop Coadjutor, every Bishop Suffragan Bishop, every Assistant Bishop, and every Bishop who by reason of advanced age or bodily infirmity, or who, under an election to an office created by the General Convention, or for reasons of mission strategy determined by action of the General Convention or the House of Bishops, has resigned a jurisdiction, shall have a seat and a vote in the House of Bishops. A majority of all Bishops entitled to vote, exclusive of Bishops who have resigned their jurisdiction or positions, shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Bishops who exercise or have jurisdiction are those who exercise ecclesiastical authority in a diocese or other jurisdiction of this Church.

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution is hereby amended to read as follows:

Article I

Sec. 2. Each Bishop of this Church having jurisdiction, every Bishop Coadjutor, every Bishop Suffragan Bishop, every Assistant Bishop, and every Bishop who by reason of advanced age or bodily infirmity, or who, under an election to an office created by the General Convention, or for reasons of mission strategy determined by action of the General Convention or the House of Bishops, has resigned a jurisdiction, shall have a seat and a vote in the House of Bishops. A majority of all Bishops entitled to vote, exclusive of Bishops who have resigned their jurisdiction or positions, shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Bishops who exercise or have jurisdiction are those who exercise ecclesiastical authority in a diocese or other jurisdiction of this Church.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #77

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on Constitution and Canons presented its Report #16 on HB Message #77 on Resolution A150 (Amend Article I.2 of the Constitution) and moved concurrence.

Motion carried

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #196)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 10.

Report Reference:   Task Force on the Episcopacy, Reports to the 79th General Convention, 2018, pp. 698-770.
Abstract:   The 79th General Convention amends Article I.2 of the Constitution to update terminology for Bishop Suffragan and to eliminate the diocesan or other jurisdictional oversight as a definition of bishops who exercise ecclesiastical authority.