The annual council of the Diocese of West Texas gathered in San Antonio Feb. 19-21 and renewed its emphasis on mission to its neighbors near and far.

Among the missionary strategies the council adopted was a resolution to begin conversation with the Diocese of Nebbi, Uganda, for the purpose of establishing a companion diocese relationship. The Rt. Rev. Henry Orombi, Bishop of Nebbi, has formed a friendship with West Texas during two trips to the diocese in the past two years.

"This relationship will not be a patronizing relationship of the richer to the poorer," said the Rt. Rev. James Folts, Bishop of West Texas. "Indeed, the Diocese of Nebbi is rich in ways we cannot help but envy, and we have much to learn from each other."

The council also took a hard look at two moral issues: substance abuse and capital punishment. In establishing a diocesan commission on alcohol and drug abuse awareness, Bishop Folts pointed out that "the physical, emotional and spiritual destruction caused by alcohol and other drugs is immense, and there is no segment of our population that is immune."

Bishop Folts also asked the diocesan standing committee to establish an appropriate means for studying and reflecting on capital punishment. "Texas has gained national and international attention as a jurisdiction where capital punishment is applied with notable frequency," he said, adding that both he and Bishop Suffragan Robert Hibbs are persuaded "that this practice is not according to the mind of Christ."

The council also approved a 1998 operating budget of more than $2.8 million.