Full Legislative History
Resolution Number: 1979-C009
Title: Ratify the Division of the Diocese of Louisiana
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred
Final Text:

Resolved, That this 66th General Convention ratifies the division of the Diocese of Louisiana into two parts so that the continuing Diocese of Louisiana shall constitute the Episcopal Church within the limits and bounds of the civil parishes of Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Point Couper, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. John the Baptist, St. James, St. Mary, the southeast portion of St. Martin parish, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Washington, West Baton Rouge, and West Feliciana, of the State of Louisiana, and so that the new Diocese shall constitute the Episcopal Church within the limits and bounds of the civil parishes of Caddo, Bossier, Webster, Claiborne, Desoto, Red River, Bienville, Union, Morehouse, West Carroll, East Carroll, Concordia, Lincoln, Ouachita, Richland, Madison, Jackson, Caldwell, Franklin, Tensas, Sabine, Natchitoches, Winn, Grant, Lasalle, Catahoula, Vernon, Allen, Rapides, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Evangeline, Calcasieu, Jefferson Davis, Acadia, Cameron, St. Landry, Lafayette, Vermilion, Iberia, and St. Martin (excepting the southeast portion of St. Martin) parishes of the State of Louisiana; and be it further

Resolved, That this 66th General Convention receive the following evidence supporting this Resolution:

  1. A certified copy of the Resolution duly adopted by the Diocese of Louisiana, committing the Diocese to its division and to the formation of a new Diocese;
  2. The consent of the Bishop of Louisiana;
  3. Map of the existing and proposed continuing and new Dioceses;
  4. Various statistical data pertinent to the continuing and new Dioceses;
  5. A certificate by the Treasurer of the Diocese of Louisiana concerning the financial abilities of the continuing Diocese of Louisiana and of the new Diocese;
  6. A certificate by the Secretary of the Convention of the Diocese of Louisiana concerning the number of churches and the number of clergy remaining in the Diocese of Louisiana after division, and the number of churches and clergy to be within the new Diocese;
  7. A certificate by the Chancellor of Louisiana that, subject to reservation of the right of the new Diocese in future Conventions to choose its name, the name "The Episcopal Diocese of Western Louisiana" (in accordance with the consent of the Bishop of Louisiana aforesaid) has been reserved with the Secretary of the State of Louisiana, which reservation is subject to renewal as necessary;
  8. Memorandum from the Bishop of Louisiana regarding provisions for the primary Convention of the new Diocese;
  9. Certificate of the Bishop of Louisiana and President of Standing Committee of compliance with Resolution (#1 above), of authenticity of other documents submitted, and petition for approval of division; and
  10. Certificate of the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor of the Diocese of Louisiana that all aforesaid documents have been duly executed, are accurate, and are entitled to full force and credit, and further that all of the appropriate and pertinent provisions of the Constitution and Canons of the General Convention of the Episcopal Church in the United States, and the Constitution and Canons of the Diocese of Louisiana, have been fully complied with in respect of this submission.
Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Denver, 1979 (New York: General Convention, 1980), p. C-142.