Bishops Consider Wide Range of Issues
Diocesan Press Service. September 26, 1975 [75330]
PORTLAND, Maine -- The Episcopal Church's House of Bishops, meeting here September 19-26, dealt with 48 items of business, from world hunger to the canonization of Mother Seton, from Prayer Book revision to clergy deployment.
But one issue overrode all others, both during and between working sessions: the ordination of women to the priesthood and the episcopate.
The House formally censured three bishops who officiated at the unauthorized ordination service in Philadelphia on July 29, 1974, and decried the similar September 7, 1975, action of a fourth bishop in Washington, D.C.
They interpreted and re-interpreted three key words : invalidity, irregularity, collegiality.
They talked about how to help the Church implement the 1976 General Convention decision on this matter, whichever way the vote goes.
In formal sessions, many debaters appeared to think 1976 approval of the ordination of women is assured. Yet Bishop J. Brooke Mosley, assistant bishop of Pennsylvania, said in a press briefing that right now, in his opinion, "chances of its passage are very iffy -- maybe just about 50-50."
Presiding Bishop John M. Allin urged, in his opening address, that the bishops focus on three questions: "How do we agree? How do we sustain our agreements or change them? And how do we proceed?"
He spoke against any more ecclesiastical trials, saying, "We don't have time even to prove who was right and who was wrong. " He said, "Never have we had a greater opportunity to agree together and offer leadership in service. (We need to pay attention to) the renewal of the total ministry of service, and sharing the life of Christ, the good life, more abundantly. "
In his Sunday Evensong sermon (Sept. 21), Bishop Allin stressed that problems large and small, in church and in society, "are problems of relationships." He challenged the congregation to "witness, behold, seek to understand " the nature of all problems. "We can resolve them, through the power of God's love."
During the sermon, he said of the ordination of women to priesthood and episcopate, "I don't think this is absolutely necessary to the kingdom of God... but if this church decides to ordain women, God be praised . . .. More important than who stands at the table is the fellowship that gathers at the table, and (the ordination question) must not be a cause of division amongst us."
Of Prayer Book revision, he said, "We have no time to argue at length about our worship. What we really need are experiences from the brush arbor to high altar, from bathing suit in the baptismal creek to cope and mitre, from plainchant to those who in ecstasy speak in tongues . . .. Worship must not be restricted; it must be freed."
Formal action regarding the unauthorized ordinations took place Tuesday (Sept. 23).
By a roll-call vote of 119 to 18, with 7 abstentions, the House censured Bishops Robert L. DeWitt, Daniel N. Corrigan, and Edward R. Welles, officiants at the July 29, 1974, Philadelphia service intended to ordain 11 women deacons to the priesthood.
The House also "decried" the action of Bishop George W. Barrett who officiated at a similar ceremony involving four women deacons in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 7, 1975. The House declined to censure Bishop Barrett; should he be brought to trial, censure now by the House could have been termed prejudicial. Members of the Court for the Trial of a Bishop and of the Court for the Review of the Trial of a Bishop abstained from voting on the Bishop Barrett portion of the resolution.
DeWitt is the resigned bishop of Pennsylvania, Corrigan a former suffragan bishop of Colorado, and Welles the retired bishop of West Missouri. Barrett was bishop of Rochester (N.Y.), until his resignation in 1970.
The nine province presidents who constitute the House's Council of Advice initiated the action, stating that "legal procedures have now been terminated." They acknowledged as "final" the March Board of Inquiry decision that, because doctrinal matters were involved in the case, only the House of Bishops could deal with it.
The House's action "repudiates" the conducting of "unauthorized ordination services" and "deeply regrets" the ensuing "damaging and divisive and disruptive effect" of such actions on the life of the Church.
Rationale for the action, as expressed in the "whereases," included: that a bishop may not appropriate the sacramental structure of the Church to his own view within the Church, " that "orderly process " was " defied " when the named bishops " invaded the jurisdictions of diocesan bishops and deprived others of their proper and appointed functions."
Reports to the House after several hours of discussion in sections, and the floor debate which lasted nearly 2 ½ hours, showed that nobody was taking the matter lightly. Not since the House rebuked the late Bishop James A. Pike of California in 1966 on doctrinal grounds had an issue of such gravity presented itself.
Bishop John M. Burgess of Massachusetts spoke strongly against censure. "Our people want some indication of our willingness to discipline ourselves," he said, "but let us avoid any hint of vindictiveness." He believed that, in light of the House's declarations in Chicago in August, 1974, and in Oaxtepec (Mexico) last October, "censure is not now necessary."
Bishop John H. Burt of Ohio stressed that "the Church wants a clear voice from the bishops. No further canonical process is possible on the charges as presented." In his view, the act of censure "would not preclude " a trial by the House on doctrinal charges. Such a procedure requires the entering of charges by 10 bishops with jurisdiction, and the consent of two-thirds of the House to proceed with a trial.
Bishop H. Coleman McGehee of Michigan argued, "I don't think we ought to get into the censureship business . . .. The Board of Inquiry has handed down a decision with which the majority of this House do not agree. In the Board's opinion, this House is the place where a trial should take place; we're copping out by proposing to censure. This is a question of doctrine which must be tried in the House of Bishops. We've refused to do that. If we censure, we should take up trial on the basis of doctrine."
The precise definition of "censure" was discussed. Said Suffragan Bishop Hal Gross of Oregon, "It is inherent within any body to set forth standards for conduct of its members. Censure expresses disapproval, by that body, of the conduct of some of its members." Retired Bishop William Moody of Lexington added, "Censure expresses public rebuke."
Bishop George Murray of the Central Gulf Coast insisted that censure would "restore some atmosphere of orderly process and harmony before General Convention. The present chaos and confusion is no atmosphere in which to decide about breaking with 2, 000 years of tradition."
Bishop Richard Trelease of the Rio Grande commented, "West of the Pecos, we shoot somebody first and ask questions afterwards. If 20 bishops can't define the word 'censure,' what kind of leadership are we showing? Perhaps silence would be our strongest response."
"We must take these bishops seriously enough to do something, " argued Bishop William H. Folwell of Central Florida. "Thousands of people in my diocese have been disaffected and disillusioned. Today's radical erosion in moral values in general has been attributed to the moral weakness of leadership." He urged strong action.
Bishop Ned Cole of Central New York seemed to crystallize the issue when he said, "A woman from my diocese is under investigation by the church now for celebrating the Holy Communion, and a suit has been filed against me with the New York State Human Rights Division saying I've discriminated against her by not finding her employment. Yet we've done nothing about our brother bishops."
Bishops DeWitt and Welles, named in the censure resolution, were present. Late in the debate, Bishop DeWitt said with fervor, " I urge you not to be fearful. Be apostles of truth. Do what you think is the right and God will bless you. "
Immediately after the vote, Bishop Welles rose to exclaim, "I am wonderfully conscious of your love for me and I reciprocate it fully."
Bishop Welles attempted, by subsequent resolution, to persuade the House to declare the Philadelphia ordinations "valid but irregular." The Committee on Theology declined to recommend such a move, saying that the "classic" criteria for validity with which Bishop Welles prefaced his resolution were "far too simplistically stated for the complex reality" of the case. The House accepted the Committee's request to be discharged from considering further the Welles resolution, and directed that its text and the Committee's response be included in the House minutes.
The House asked Presiding Bishop John M. Allin to appoint an ad hoc committee "to consider steps to follow either upon approval or rejection of the ordination of women, at the next General Convention." They asked the committee to "give special attention to actions taken by other branches of the Anglican Communion. "
A two-hour debate about how to "complete the ritual act performed at Philadelphia," should General Convention approve the ordination of women, covered the full spectrum of opinion. At one end, Bishop J. Brooke Mosley expressed the hope that "we would move toward" the view of four theologians who advised the Diocese of Rochester that "these are unratified ordinations which may, without any form of re-ordination, be recognized." At the other end, a report from one section discussion said "these women foreswore themselves in Philadelphia and need to be accepted as candidates for the priesthood all over again."
Opinions in between included:
Bishop Richard M. Trelease, Rio Grande: "We might consider (some equivalent of) amnesty, to show our reconciling" spirit.
Bishop George M. Murray, Central Gulf Coast: "By not deposing these women, we've already granted amnesty. I don't believe deserters (from the armed forces) should be promoted in rank as a reward . . .. We've already gone more than half way. I believe something more should be expected (from the supporters of the Philadelphia action) than constant nagging until we come around to their point of view."
Bishop John M. Burgess, Massachusetts: " I still do not agree with our Chicago declaration (that the ordinations were invalid) but I have conformed to it. I am loyal, but I am free to disagree. Even the Supreme Court changes its mind; (we may be) changing our minds but are reluctant to admit it. "
Bishop Addison Hosea, Lexington: "We seem, unintentionally perhaps, to be misrepresenting what we said in Chicago, 'that the necessary conditions for valid ordination in the Episcopal Church were lacking.' I submit there are two kinds of invalid currency in the United States. One is counterfeit; the other is Canadian. God knows Canadian currency is good and sometimes better than ours, but it's not U.S. currency."
Bishop Alexander D. Stewart, Western Massachusetts, described some distinctions his chancellor has helped him see regarding invalidity and irregularity, using marriage ceremonies as an analogy. "An irregular marriage certificate (which, for example, had not been signed at the proper time) is irregular and can be altered. But when the person performing the ceremony is not qualified to be licensed to (marry people), it is necessary for the ceremony to be re-enacted. "
Bishop Stanley Atkins, Eau Claire: " I am astounded that the theologians (consulting in Rochester) did not deal with the problem of wanton irregularity. Jurisdiction did not exist nor did the right intention because the Church had not authorized (this action). The irregularities (at Philadelphia) were deliberate, not accidental. Those bishops may have ordained priests but they did not ordain priests for the Episcopal Church. After General Convention, the whole Church (not just individual dioceses) will need to find a way to reconcile this schismatic ministry."
Woven through the debate was the word "collegiality " which was interpreted variously as "each of us accepting one another's decisions," as "a concept a bishop can believe in if it is not stultifying his conscience, " and as "walking in lock step. "
Bishop Robert R. Spears of Rochester said, "On one arm, I am linked to this House and its collegiality. On the other, I am linked with my diocese and its collegiality. Sometimes I find this House, the Bishop of Rochester, and the diocese walking comfortably together, "but difficulty arises "when House and diocese walk in opposite directions."
Two post-Convention options were placed before the House by its Committee on Theology. One would provide that, should Convention act favorably, "the Philadelphia rite would be sacramentally completed and the persons canonically commissioned to function as priests in the Episcopal Church. " Some bishops urged that dioceses be allowed to follow this path individually as each wishes. Others favored uniformity across the church so that the women's mobility from one diocese to another in good standing would not be questioned.
The second option would be "conditional ordination" which, like conditional baptism, would include a phrase such as, "If thou hast not been ordained, I now ordain thee...." Several speakers made clear that the women themselves would doubtless refuse to accept this option.
Bishop Clarence R. Haden of Northern California urged, "Let us not seek conformity in the sense of being able to differ. Collegiality means accepting persons who hold, out of conviction, other viewpoints. Should the General Convention take a stand (against my convictions), I will conform though I disagree.... In an issue of this magnitude and profundity, my diocese needs to be able to take a stand (on its convictions) regardless of General Convention's actions."
When debate ended, the Bishops voted to receive the report of the Committee on Theology and commend it for churchwide study.
Presiding Bishop John M. Allin's citation for contempt in not appearing when subpoenaed by the Diocese of Washington's court during the trial of the Rev. William A. Wendt came to the House's attention briefly via a communication from that diocese. The Council of Advice recommended that "any House action with regard to this citation would be inappropriate " and the bishops agreed.
The Draft Proposed Book of Common Prayer which comes off the press February 2, 1976, will set forth "a traditional and yet developing exercise in worship," Bishop Chilton Powell of Oklahoma told the House of Bishops.
Bishop Powell chairs the Standing Liturgical Commission whose years-long revision task will end when it presents the Draft Proposed Book to the General Convention next September.
Suffragan Bishop Morgan Porteus of Connecticut reported to the House that "faith and worship are not diluted in the latest forms. The liturgy alone contains five times as much biblical material as in the 1928 Book."
Bishop John M. Krumm of Southern Ohio and others expressed the hope that after the revision becomes official, bishops would be allowed "to authorize the continued use of the 1928 Book of Common Prayer as each individually sees fit " rather than being bound by General Convention action to uniformity.
The House discussed the proposed Initiatory Rite, in response to a letter to his peers from Bishop Paul Moore, Jr., of New York. He urged that the distinction between "church membership and communicant status " be highlighted more than it is in the Draft Proposed rite. "We see full membership in the Body of Christ as being effected in baptism. Yet we think it essential that adults from other Christian traditions who receive Holy Communion regularly at Episcopal altars be strongly encouraged to present themselves for confirmation, to make an act of mature commitment."
Retired Bishop William R. Moody of Lexington endorsed the New York statement, saying, "We don't need to talk about adding anything to baptism. But when we bring into the fellowship people from another persuasion, confirmation is the point at which they stop saying 'your church' and start saying 'our church.'"
The House issued a pastoral statement intended to " allay anxieties " about the status of the 1928 Book of Common Prayer after the revision process is completed. The statement encourages the use of the new Book which "will become the Standard Book" replacing the "Standard Book of 1928."
At the same time, it makes clear that the House would not object, should a bishop permit alternative use of the 1928 Book, the Book of Offices, and such "special services for special occasions " as he sees fit.
Bishop Powell said that the Standing Liturgical Commission will meet after the Draft Proposed Book is published to review it thoroughly, and again with members of the House's Committee on Theology and of the Prayer Book committees of the House of Deputies and the House of Bishops. "We want to keep everything absolutely wide open, " Bishop Powell said, "and weigh the resolutions (which go to Convention) to present fairly all points of view."
He said he would consult with the House's committees on Constitution and Canons about whether any changes other than punctuation are allowable canonically between 1976 and 1979. "Everyone I've consulted about this so far says no, " he said.
On Wednesday afternoon (September 24) the bishops heard three speakers during a two-hour presentation on world hunger arranged by Bishop Edmond L. Browning, Executive for National and World Mission at the Episcopal Church Center, New York City. The speakers were the Rev. Bryan Hehir, director of foreign policy for the U.S. Catholic Conference of Bishops in Washington, D.C.; the Rev. Norman Faramelli, co-director of the Boston, Mass., Industrial Mission; and Mrs. John Wyon, representing the international hunger organization Oxfam.
Father Hehir said the fundamental contribution that can be made by Christian churches to the world hunger problem is to be "a community with a conscience. " He said churches are well suited to deal with the hunger crisis because the " scope of the problem is larger than any private agency can take care of," and because of the "pastoral life-style " of the churches.
The Roman Catholic priest told the bishops that increased oil prices and climatic changes were among the reasons why hunger became a focus for American interest in the early 1970's.
"By 1974, most people were not eating as they had been before," he said, claiming rising food prices caused this to be true in the United States and indicating food shortages and starvation as the causes in other countries.
According to Mrs. Wyon, the "rising affluence in the industrialized nations " have contributed "to a world food problem that has been building for years. " She said it is not a spiraling birth rate that is causing the world's population increase as much as it is a decrease in the death rate. She added that even so the birth rates of such countries as India "must come down."
Mrs. Wyon reminded the bishops of two opportunities to participate in the fight against world hunger that will come up in November: an "offering of letters " sponsored by Bread for the World to show Congress "what we feel about everyone's right to eat " and a November 20 nation-wide "fast for a world harvest."
Father Faramelli, an Episcopal priest, told the bishops it is " imperative " that the Episcopal Church have a world hunger program that reflects the "pluralism" of parishes and dioceses.
The Boston priest said the Episcopal national world hunger effort would receive the "kiss of death" if it is seen only as "another social action program." He said that some changes would have to take place on the diocesan and national levels of the church so that "world hunger can become a major thrust in the Episcopal Church."
According to Father Faramelli, the national Executive Council of the Episcopal Church has approved the formation of a commission on hunger and also indicated that any national program should be structured so that "every congregation can become involved." Episcopal bishops may anticipate, by 1980, an increase of 40 percent in ordinations of people entering full-time ministry, and an 80 percent increase in new clergymen who will serve as non-stipendiaries, the House of Bishops learned.
Bishops John M. Krumm of Southern Ohio and James W. Montgomery of Chicago told the House that recent questionnaire responses from bishops and seminaries indicate that, within 10 years, one-third of all ordinands will be choosing non-stipendiary status. Other theological education items the House discussed included improved funding methods and mobility limitations for clergy who prepare for ordination other than in accredited seminaries and do not take the general ordination examinations.
Bishop Krumm, a member of the Board for Theological Education, said questionnaire findings showed only minimal support for combining the church's seminaries in four key centers. "How would that four-center idea be implemented, anyway?" the Bishop asked. "What right do we have, beyond persuasion, to merge seminaries ?"
In other actions, the House of Bishops :
* Re-elected Bishop Jonathan G. Sherman of Long Island its vice president.
* Accepted resignations, effective January 1, 1976, of four bishops qualified by age for retirement: Wilburn C. Campbell of West Virginia; Ivol I. Curtis of Olympia; and suffragans R. Earl Dicus of West Texas, and Harold S. Jones of South Dakota.
* Consented to the election of Suffragan Bishop Scott Field Bailey of Texas to be Bishop Coadjutor of West Texas.
* Memorialized five of their number who have died during the past year : Bishops Iveson B. Noland of Louisiana; Matthew George Henry of Western North Carolina; Hugo Blankingship (retired) of Cuba; E. Lani Hanchett of Hawaii; and Kenneth D.W. Anand, collegial member and assistant bishop in Newark.
* Greeted recently consecrated Bishops David R. Cochran of Alaska; G.P. Mellick Belshaw, Suffragan of New Jersey; Robert C. Witcher, Coadjutor of Long Island; William A. Jones, Jr., of Missouri; William A. Clark of Delaware ; and Richard A. Abellon of the Northern Philippines.
* Noted that three coadjutors have become diocesans: Frank S. Cerveny of Florida; William G. Weinhauer of Western North Carolina; and E. Paul Haynes of Southwest Florida.
* Noted the retirements of Bishop E. Hamilton West of Florida; Suffragan Bishop Theodore H. McCrae of Dallas; Bishop George A. Taylor of Easton; Bishop George L. Cadigan of Missouri; Suffragan Bishop Charles W. MacLean of Long Island; Bishop Edward G. Longid of the Northern Philippines; and Bishop William L. Hargrave of Southwest Florida.
* Authorized Bishop James TeMing Pong of Taiwan to sign, with the Roman Catholic Church there, a document recognizing one another's doctrine and practice of baptism; heard Bishop Pong report progress in revising the Chinese Anglican Prayer Book to make it "truly indigenous."
* Heard Suffragan Bishop John T. Walker of Washington describe the critical condition of the Absalom Jones Theological Institute in Atlanta, Ga., whose board he chairs. Since its 1971 founding, the Institute has served only 20 students for periods ranging from three months to two years. Of its present enrollment of 12, only one is an Episcopal full-time student from the U.S. The Institute's purpose is to be a resource for black Episcopal seminarians or for white Episcopal seminarians who will serve black communities. The church's investment in the Institute to date totals $450, 000 in national budget funds plus several foundation grants. Bishop Walker seeks to gain wider use of the school's facilities, essential if its life is to continue.
* Expressed regret in accepting the resignation of Bishop Robert P. Varley, 51, as Bishop of Nebraska, who tendered it because "the objectives being sought by the bishop and by the diocese are more variant than had been perceived. " Bishop Varley made public earlier this year his recovery from dependence on alcohol and pills. Diocesan opposition to his leadership style, it had been reported, caused four large parishes to withhold diocesan budget support. "Resignation is not what I want," Bishop Varley said, "but what I think I had best accept." He asked the House to be aware of "what this form of pressure might do" should it occur in other places. "Do not let my experience deter others who might need help for chemical dependency," he said. "By the grace of God, it does work."
* Heard its committee on Pastoral Development announce five seminars planned for 1975-76; describe a current survey by bishops of how they use their time (and therefore energy); and report that a study on homophiles and the ministry had been discussed in provincial meetings of bishops. The House voted to ask the Joint Commission on the Church and Human Affairs or some other appropriate group to take the lead in organizing forums to make possible wider understanding of the current climate which denies homophiles full Christian acceptance as either the doers of or the recipients of the church's ministry.
* Took a preliminary look at some concerns about defining the canonical residence of clergy, and the inactive clergy list, asking its Committee on Canons to prepare pertinent legislative recommendations for General Convention consideration.
* Re-affirmed support for general amnesty for "all who refused to participate in the conflict in Indo-China. "
* Deplored efforts to expel or suspend Israel from the United Nations.
* Expressed support for Bishop Richard Wood and other Christian leaders expelled from Namibia, and for United Nations efforts to bring about the freedom of the people of Namibia.
* Urged the U.S. Congress to adopt effective hand-gun laws as quickly as possible and expressed thanksgiving for President Gerald Ford's safety following recent attempts on his life.
* Voted that each bishop be asked to send to his senators, congressmen and to President Ford a statement asking the federal government "to take immediate steps to reinforce the financial stability of New York City," and also to "look closely at all welfare systems to ensure maximum support of those in need. " In supporting the resolution, Suffragan Bishop J. Stuart Wetmore of New York said his city had "great difficulty in getting help from the state even though 43 percent of the state lives in New York City." He added that state aid came "only when it was politically expedient." Bishop George M. Murray of the Central Gulf Coast cautioned that he was concerned "that the nation itself by spending money it does not have seems to be heading toward bankruptcy." The resolution received support from Bishop George Rath of Newark and Bishop Richard B. Martin of the Episcopal Church's national staff.
* Heard Bishops David K. Leighton of Maryland and J. Stuart Wetmore, suffragan of New York, describe their visit to Rome for the canonization of Mother Elizabeth Ann Seton and their personal audiences with His Holiness Pope Paul VI and with Jan Cardinal Willebrands. They said Pope Paul himself inserted in the text of the homily, at the canonization, an acknowledgment of Mother Seton's long "membership in the fervent Episcopalian community. " Both Pope Paul and Cardinal Willebrands displayed extreme cordiality to the guests, they said. The Cardinal said that conversations between him and the Archbishop of Canterbury will lead to the formation of a committee of three Roman Catholics and three Anglican bishops to discuss the theological Implications of the ordination of women which General Convention will be considering. It appears likely that one U.S. Episcopal bishop will be named to this committee. The Cardinal said that "if the Anglican Communion proceeds to the ordination of women, this will create a new element of tension" in the present international Anglican - Roman Catholic conversations. Points of rapprochement between the two communions were discussed with enthusiasm, the two bishops reported.
* Asked its committee on canons to review a possible need to re-study the church's judicial system.
* Heard a preview of plans for the General Convention, September 11-23, 1976, in Minneapolis/St. Paul. Two or three days of open hearings on Prayer Book revision will precede the Convention. The Archbishop of Canterbury will visit Convention for several days and preach at the September 19 eucharist when the United Thank Offering ingathering takes place. Two future General Convention sites and dates have been confirmed: Denver, Colorado, September 8-20, 1979, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, October 9-21, 1982.
* Considered implications of the proposal by the Consultation on Church Union for Mutual Recognition of Members and urged wide study of this document which will be recommended to General Convention in 1976 for action.
* Adopted recommendations of its Education committee for continuing focus on local and diocesan Christian education activities with national people serving as resources; for the development of diocesan resource centers and diocesan and provincial leaders.
* Learned that, if there is to be a Lambeth Conference in 1978, it may be located at Canterbury where dormitory accommodations are available, and limited to bishops with jurisdiction.
* Heard Evangelism committee chairman Bishop Frank S. Cerveny of Florida urge concern for church renewal and spiritual formation, and remind them that in the past 10 years the Episcopal Church has lost 600, 000 communicants.
* Was urged by the committee on the Consecration of Bishops to examine further the matter of seat, voice, and vote for resigned bishops, and to look at the whole matter of franchise in conjunction with appropriate members of the House of Deputies. Bishop Scott Field Bailey reminded the House that it had passed a canon regarding assistant bishops at the last two General Conventions but that the House of Deputies had both times failed to concur.
* Gave a standing ovation to Margaret Lockwood, secretary to two Presiding Bishops, who retires at the end of 1975, following 27 years of service to the church at national staff level.
* Heard Bishop Robert R. Spears of Rochester describe the Ministry Council's focus on being helpful to diocesan Commissions on Ministry.
* Heard Bishop George D. Browne of Liberia describe current growth toward autonomy in a number of overseas dioceses. He described autonomy as "not dependent on financial self-support" but a state of "equality in obedience to the mission of the Church" which will "strengthen ties of interdependence in the Body of Christ." Several overseas bishops shared in the presentation, which included plans of the Church's Development Office to seek funds for grants to overseas dioceses to enable financial self-support to be reached in the foreseeable future in a number of places.
* Discussed the timing of the General Ordination Examinations (late January, early February) and expressed wide willingness to share expense by paying for the examining of their candidates.
* Referred to committees on Constitution and Canons a proposal to give seat, voice, and vote to Bishop J. Brooke Mosley who resigned as Bishop of Delaware several years ago to take a staff position with the Overseas Department in New York. Generally, bishops who resign "for reasons of mission strategy" are accorded full continuing House membership.
* Received a report on the expanding work of the Clergy Deployment Office in New York, including its intention to continue to make services of a professional employment agency available to unemployed priests and deacons who seek secular work.
* Heard the Rev. Vernon Johnson, head of a Minnesota institute for the training of clergy in how to deal with chemically dependent persons, say that "60 percent of the pastoral problems presented to the church today are alcohol-related." He described the condition of chemically dependent persons and offered possible suggestions, including the need to "break through the conspiracy of silence " that he said surrounds every alcoholic. He asked the bishops to set aside time for a "thorough-going confrontation" with what he called the third most serious illness.
* Heard about a data bank of clergy, parish and organization addresses now being developed by several national church organizations, including the Church Pension Fund.
* Heard a report from an ad hoc committee on clergy development of the Episcopal Church Foundation concerning methods of improving clergy compensation. According to the report, a study in six Episcopal dioceses indicates a strong relationship between stewardship, accountability and clergy compensation.
* Heard Oscar C. Carr, Jr., Executive for Development at the Episcopal Church Center in New York, report on progress of a $3.1 million campaign to raise endowment funds for Cuttington College, an Episcopal Church-related institution in Suacoco, Liberia. The money will be used to endow the only independent college in sub-Sahara Africa, thereby hastening the progress of the Diocese of Liberia in gaining financial and administrative independence from the Episcopal Church in the United States. Dr. Carr reported that $30, 000 in cash and $425, 000 in pledges have already been raised by the government and individuals in Liberia, and indicated the U.S. phase of the drive would begin on September 28. Dr. Carr asked the bishops to make personal pledges to the drive, to send him the names of possible participants from their dioceses and encouraged their general support of the campaign.
* Referred to its Pastoral Development committee a question about bishops' office files on clergymen: material to go to archives, material from his own file to be shared with a given clergyman on his request, and the length of tine such files needed to be kept.
* Looked at guidelines to help its committee on Interim Meetings find meeting sites, such recommendations to be made with the help of the General Convention manager. The bishops agreed to wait until 1976 to choose its 1977 host city.
* Talked with Bishop William Davidson of Western Kansas about developing helps for churches in small communities, chiefly those conference and consultation services available from Roanridge Conference Center in Kansas City, Mo., and its director, the Rev. Dr. H. Boone Porter.
* Adopted a resolution from the Privilege and Courtesy Committee, expressing appreciation to Bishop Frederick B. Wolf of Maine and those from his diocese who made arrangements for the meeting.
* Completed its agenda half an hour ahead of schedule, and closed with a celebration of Holy Communion.
[For attachments, please contact the Archives. --Ed.]