The convention of the Diocese of East Tennessee rejected a move to place into church law practices regarding marital fidelity of clergy when it met at St. John's Cathedral, Knoxville, Feb. 24.

The resolution, presented by the Rev. Stephen Freeman, rector of St. Stephen's Church, Oak Ridge, proposed adding to diocesan canons the statement that "all clergy licensed to serve in the Diocese of East Tennessee shall maintain a standard of faithful sexual conduct, abstaining from all sexual relations outside the bonds of holy matrimony."

In a hearing before the convention debate, delegates questioned the purpose of Fr. Freeman's resolution. Some felt it was a "back door" method of dealing with the ordination of non-celibate homosexuals. Others expressed concern about how the canon would be enforced.

The Rev. Art Bass, chair of the diocesan human sexuality resource team, said he thought the proposed canon could be used to harm people.

"The purpose of our task force is to promote dialogue and a pastoral approach to matters of sexuality," he said. "We fear that if this is made a canon it could be used as a club and it could be used to hurt. We don't feel that's in keeping with the example of Christ."

By rejecting the resolution, delegates supported the current practice of allowing the bishop to manage cases of misconduct, said the Rt. Rev. Robert G. Tharp, in an interview following convention.

In related action, the convention adopted a resolution encouraging the diocese to continue the dialogue on human sexuality. The resolution charges the human sexuality resource team with providing "opportunities for all interested persons in the Diocese of East Tennessee to participate in dialogue on scripture, Anglican tradition, reason and human experience as those four relate to human sexuality."

In other business, the convention voted to reduce the number of lay and clerical deputies and alternates to General Convention from four to three, and adopted a budge of $1.367 million.