Resolution Number: 2018-D085
Title: Affirm Full Communion with Evangelical Lutheran Church of Sweden
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred as Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That the 79th General Convention acknowledge and affirm the existing full communion relationship between The Episcopal Church and the (Evangelical Lutheran) Church of Sweden, in furtherance of the 78th General Convention’s Resolution B004, which received and commended the “Report on the Grounds for Future Relations Between the Church of Sweden and The Episcopal Church,” and called on the Presiding Bishop to explore ways for the relationship with the Church of Sweden to be deepened, and which full communion relationship was formally celebrated during a Eucharist service at Uppsala Cathedral, Sweden in November 2015, a service led by former Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, at the invitation of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, and the Church of Sweden Archbishop Antje Jackelén; and be it further

Resolved, That the 79th General Convention request the Presiding Bishop to prepare, in concert with the Church of Sweden, a memorandum of understanding setting forth the terms and procedures of the full communion between The Episcopal Church and the Church of Sweden.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Austin, 2018 (New York: General Convention, 2018), p. 697.

Legislative History

Author: The Rev. Canon. Elise Johnstone
Originating House: House of Bishops
Originating Committee: Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations presented its Report #12 on Resolution D085 (Communion Relationship with Church of Sweden) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(D085)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 79th General Convention acknowledge and affirm the existing communion relationship between The Episcopal Church and the (Evangelical Lutheran) Church of Sweden, in furtherance of the 78th General Convention’s Resolution B004, which received and commended the “Report on the Grounds for Future Relations Between the Church of Sweden and The Episcopal Church,” and called on the Presiding Bishop to explore ways for the relationship with the Church of Sweden to be deepened, and which communion relationship was formally celebrated during a Eucharist service at Uppsala Cathedral, Sweden in November 2015, a service led by former Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, at the invitation of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, and the Church of Sweden Archbishop Antje Jackelén; and be it further

Resolved, That the 79th General Convention charge the Presiding Bishop to prepare, in concert with the Church of Sweden, a memorandum of understanding setting forth the terms and procedures of the communion between The Episcopal Church and the Church of Sweden.

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 79th General Convention acknowledge and affirm the existing full communion relationship between The Episcopal Church and the (Evangelical Lutheran) Church of Sweden, in furtherance of the 78th General Convention’s Resolution B004, which received and commended the “Report on the Grounds for Future Relations Between the Church of Sweden and The Episcopal Church,” and called on the Presiding Bishop to explore ways for the relationship with the Church of Sweden to be deepened, and which full communion relationship was formally celebrated during a Eucharist service at Uppsala Cathedral, Sweden in November 2015, a service led by former Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, at the invitation of Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, and the Church of Sweden Archbishop Antje Jackelén; and be it further

Resolved, That the 79th General Convention charge request the Presiding Bishop to prepare, in concert with the Church of Sweden, a memorandum of understanding setting forth the terms and procedures of the full communion between The Episcopal Church and the Church of Sweden.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #231)

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations presented its Report #9 on HB Message #231 on Resolution D085 (Communion Relationship with Church of Sweden)and moved concurrence.

Motion carried

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #467)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 13.

Abstract:   The 79th General Convention affirms the existing full communion relationship between the Episcopal Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Sweden, and asks the Presiding Bishop to prepare a memorandum of understanding specifying the terms of such communion.