Some folks I know are upset about an overlooked aspect of the proposed revision of the church's canons which will come before General Convention. The well-publicized revision, which would make ordination of women mandatory in every diocese [p. 13], also speaks to others who aren't planning to be ordained. Resolution a053 states, " ... every person who exercises a ministry as a leader and trustee in this church is obliged to obey and implement the canon law of this church." From the explanation for that resolution: "Individuals are free to disagree on matters of theology in the Episcopal Church, and to express their beliefs in the councils of the church and seek change. However, church leaders are not free to disregard the canons of the church in the pursuit of their own theological visions."

One of my friends who's concerned is a Sunday school teacher. A second is a vestry member. The third is an active lay person who is simply concerned. They belong to three different congregations, and all three oppose ordination of women on theological grounds. All three feel as though they are being forced out of the church by a mandatory canon which would go into effect Jan 1, 1998, if General Convention adopts it. After speaking to one of the members of the committee which put the resolution together, I don't think they're being forced out. The problem seems to be over the word "leader."

"The wording has to be perfected at General Convention," said the Rev. Canon Gay Jennings, canon to the ordinary of the Diocese of Ohio and a member of the Committee for Dialogue on Canon III.8.1.

Canon Jennings said the intent of the committee was to address those persons who are charged with consenting to access to the ordination process - like members of a standing committee or commission on ministry.

"The intent of the resolution is that persons in those positions are obliged to uphold the canon," she said.

She gave the example of a person who has cerebral palsy, or is Hispanic, who must be approved by a parish vestry, diocesan standing committee and diocesan commission on ministry before becoming a candidate for ordination. The canon would prevent persons from voting to withhold approval because that person has cerebral palsy or is Hispanic.

In other words, while the resolution uses the word "leaders," it doesn't address people like choir directors, Sunday school superintendents or lectors.

When the proposed revision gets to convention, most of the attention probably will be paid to the four bishops who currently don't ordain women and the four dioceses which don't license them. Canon Jennings said she thinks this may be the "hot-button issue" of convention.

"The hardest thing about this issue will be for both sides to cut down on the rhetoric," she said.

So my friends can relax. At least for now.

David Kalvelage, editor