In a meeting which lasted only 57 minutes, delegates to the Diocese of Dallas’ special convention May 14 at St. Michael and All Angels’ Church in Dallas overwhelmingly endorsed the Windsor Report.

The convention was called, Bishop James M. Stanton of Dallas explained to the 325 lay and clergy delegates, in response to a conversation about the Windsor Report held by a diocesan group. Bishop Stanton then outlined to the convention the canonical steps taken to call the special convention, and then noted two preparatory meetings held in the diocese to educate the Church about the meaning and impact of the report.

The Rev. Michael Battle, associate dean of academic affairs and vice-president of Virginia Theological Seminary, gave a holistic interpretation of the Windsor Report at the Church of the Ascension in Dallas on April 30 at a meeting organized by the Dallas chapter of Via Media [TLC May 29].

On April 19, the Rev. Peter Walker, New Testament tutor at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, summarized the Windsor Report from another perspective. Bishop Stanton also addressed an earlier gathering in Plano, urging Dallas Episcopalians to say "loudly" that they "will stay with the Anglican Communion no matter what else happens."

Prior to the start of special convention, Bishop Stanton ordained two deacons. After his brief introduction of the day’s work, a number of friendly amendments were debated and accepted.

The final resolution stated the diocese "receives, accepts and endorses the Windsor Report, and pledges to comply fully with its proposals and expectations" and further resolved that "the Diocese of Dallas, a part of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America, hereby affirms its constitutional responsibility for being a constituent member of the Anglican Communion based upon the Preamble of the Constitution of the Episcopal Church in the United States of America."

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