The House of Deputies on July 12 rejected all unfriendly amendments and all but one procedural motion pertaining to Resolution D025, the composite resolution which seeks to combine more than a dozen resolutions seeking to modify, repeal or update Resolution B033.
 
B033 was the controversial resolution approved at General Convention in 2006 that calls on “standing committees and bishops with jurisdiction to exercise restraint by not consenting to the consecration of any candidate whose manner of life presents a challenge to the wider church and will lead to further strains on the communion.”
 
The resolution was introduced by the Rev. Gay Jennings of Ohio, chairwoman of the House of Deputies Committee on World Mission, and the Rev. Ian Douglas of Massachusetts, another deputy member of that committee, which was charged with developing one resolution out of some 13 resolutions pre-filed on the topic.
 
Needing 50 votes in the lay order, the resolution was approved 77-31. In the clergy order 49 deputations were required for approval, with 74 voting in the affirmative and 31 voting against. In order for a vote to be considered valid, both deputies from either the lay or clergy order much vote in the affirmative. Divided votes are considered a “no” vote.
 
The resolution begins by affirming the Episcopal Church’s commitment to the Anglican Communion, to seek “to live into the highest degree of communion possible, and to reaffirm its financial commitment to the Anglican Communion and pledge to participate fully in the inter-Anglican budget.” The resolution then goes on to quote from Resolution D039 from the 73rd General Convention in 2000 which states that the Episcopal Church includes same-sex couples living in lifelong committed relationships “characterized by fidelity, monogamy, mutual affection and respect, careful, honest communication, and the holy love which enables those in such relationships to see in each other the image of God.”
 
The next resolve, which is arguably the most significant in terms of its impact on B033, states that convention recognizes “that gay and lesbian persons who are part of such relationships have responded to God's call and have exercised various ministries in and on behalf of God's one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church and are currently doing so in our midst.”
 
When questioned by Charlie Holt of Central Florida as to the meaning that particular section implied, deputies Jennings and Douglas declined to speculate on how it would be interpreted by standing committees and bishops with jurisdiction.
 
At a press briefing after the House of Deputies recessed for the day, deputy Jennings said that Resolution B033 “urged restraint,” but did not impose any new canonical requirements. While acknowledging that the passage of Resolution D025 removed the recommendation for exercising restraint, she said the majority of standing committees and bishops with jurisdiction would in all likelihood continue to vote their individual conscience as defined in the church’s constitution and canons.
 
Bonnie Anderson, president of the House of Deputies, set aside 60 minutes for debate, discussion, procedural motions, amendments, and an explanation on voting.
 
The resolution now faces an uncertain future in the House of Bishops. A concurrent World Mission committee of bishops rejected the language of the proposed resolution 3-2 with two bishops, Leo Frade of Southeast Florida and E. Don Taylor, suffragan Bishop of New York, listed as “not present.” In order for the resolution to be approved it must pass the House of Bishops as written. Any amendments will require the resolution to be reconciled and voted on again by both houses.
 
While Resolution B025 commanded the majority of interest among convention members and guests, the House of Deputies also approved several other resolutions which several sought to draw attention to during the evening media briefing. Bishop Frade commended the House of Deputies for approving Resolution D038 which commits The Episcopal Church to a major outreach effort of evangelization among Hispanics and Latinos. And deputy Sarah Lawton of California noted that in passing Resolution D019, the House of Deputies had increased the Episcopal Church’s commitment to the Millennium Development Goals to 1 percent of the budget. The previous 0.7 percent amount had been deleted from the budget as a cost-saving measure that was justified by noting that much of the mission and ministry of the church already contribute to the objectives developed by the United Nations.
 
Steve Waring reporting from General Convention in Anaheim.
 
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