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The Acts of Convention

Resolution Number: 2022-D035
Title: Refer a Resolution on Canon IV.19.23 [Of General Provisions]
Legislative Action Taken: Referred
Final Text:

Resolved, That the 80th General Convention amend Canon IV.19.23 to read as follows:

Sec. 23. Except as expressly provided in this Title, applicable Diocesan Canon, or in any Accord or Order, all costs, expenses and fees, if any, shall be the obligation of the party, person or entity incurring them.

a. The necessary costs, expenses and fees of the Investigator, the Church Attorney, the Conference Panel, the Hearing Panel and any pastoral response shall be the expense of the Diocese.

b. The necessary costs and expenses of the Court of Review shall be the expense of the General Convention.

c. The necessary costs and expenses of the Disciplinary Board for Bishops and the Court of Review for Bishops shall be the expense of the General Convention.

d. Nothing in this Title precludes the voluntary payment of a Respondent's costs, expenses and fees by any other party or person, including a Diocese.

e. In the case of diocesan noncompliance with any procedural requirements set forth in this Title which “shall cause material and substantial injustice to be done or seriously prejudice the rights of a Respondent”(Canon IV.19.28), the costs, expenses and fees associated with the proceedings and paid by the Respondent shall be reimbursed to the Respondent by the adjudicating Diocese.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Baltimore, 2022 (New York: General Convention, 2023), p. 659.

Legislative History

Author: The Rev. Jason Prati
Originating House: House of Bishops
Originating Committee: Title IV Disciplinary Canons

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on Title IV Disciplinary Canons presented its Report #6 on Resolution D035 (Amend Canon IV.19.23: Of General Provisions [Expenses]) and moved to refer the resolution to an interim body.

Original Text of Resolution:

(D035)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring,

That the 80th General Convention amend Canon IV.19.23 to read as follows:

Sec. 23. Except as expressly provided in this Title, applicable Diocesan Canon, or in any Accord or Order, all costs, expenses and fees, if any, shall be the obligation of the party, person or entity incurring them.

a. The necessary costs, expenses and fees of the Investigator, the Church Attorney, the Conference Panel, the Hearing Panel and any pastoral response shall be the expense of the Diocese.

b. The necessary costs and expenses of the Court of Review shall be the expense of the General Convention.

c. The necessary costs and expenses of the Disciplinary Board for Bishops and the Court of Review for Bishops shall be the expense of the General Convention.

d. Nothing in this Title precludes the voluntary payment of a Respondent's costs, expenses and fees by any other party or person, including a Diocese.

e. In the case of diocesan noncompliance with any procedural requirements set forth in this Title which “shall cause material and substantial injustice to be done or seriously prejudice the rights of a Respondent”(Canon IV.19.28), the costs, expenses and fees associated with the proceedings and paid by the Respondent shall be reimbursed to the Respondent by the adjudicating Diocese.

Motion carried

Resolution referred to an interim body

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #95)

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on Title IV Disciplinary Canons presented its Report #27 on HB Message #95 on Resolution D035 (Amend Canon IV.19.23: Of General Provisions [Expenses]) and moved concurrence with referral to an interim body.

Motion carried

The House concurred

Resolution referred

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #162)

Resolution Referred to a Standing Commission by Both Houses.

Abstract:   The 80th General Convention refers to a Standing Commission a resolution amending Canon IV.19.23 to provide a method for holding accountable a diocese that does not adhere to canonical requirements when investigating Title IV matters.
Notes:  

Deputy Raman of Pittsburgh moved to remove Resolution D035 from the Consent Calendar. Motion defeated due to failure to meet the requirements established by Special Rules of Order X002.