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Resolution Number: 1985-B030
Title: Study the Ecumenical Considerations of Electing Women to the Episcopate
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred As Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That the Presiding Bishop be asked to appoint a special committee to study and make recommendations concerning the ecumenical and ecclesiological considerations involved in the election and ordination of women Presbyters to the Episcopate; and be it further

Resolved, That the special committee be encouraged to draw upon the resources of the Standing Commission on Ecumenical Relations and upon other clergy and laity; and be it further

Resolved, That the results of the study be considered by the House of Bishops at its 1987 meeting; and be it further

Resolved, That the results of the study, if approved by the House of Bishops, be made a part of the House of Bishops' report to the 1988 Lambeth Conference, and that the results of the study be shared with the Standing Committees of the several dioceses of the Church; and be it further

Resolved, That the explanations listed below be printed with the Resolution.

EXPLANATION

  1. The resolution is not meant to imply that there are canonical impediments to the ordination of a woman Presbyter to the Episcopate; the canonical question was decided at the 1976 General Convention.
  2. Nor is the study intended to suggest a reconsideration of theological issues already dealt with in preparation for and at the 1976 General Convention; the scope of the proposed study is a limited one: namely, as the title of the resolution indicates, the scope of the proposed study is limited to ecumenical and ecclesiological considerations involved in ordaining women Presbyters to the Episcopate.
  3. The resolution calls for a study, in order that the Church (and especially the Bishops and Standing Committees, which must give consent to the Consecration of a Presbyter elected to the office of Bishop) may prayerfully and unhurriedly reflect upon whatever ecumenical and ecclesiological consideration there may be.
  4. The study is, in part, a response to a 1978 advisory resolution of the Lambeth Conference of Bishops, requesting prior consultation by any Province of the Anglican Communion considering the election and ordination of a woman Presbyter to the Episcopate; and the study is also intended to be a resource to Standing Committees.
Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Anaheim, 1985 (New York: General Convention, 1986), p. 605.

Legislative History

Author:
Originating House: House of Bishops
Originating Committee: Committee on Ecumenical Relations

House of Bishops

Original Text of Resolution:

(B030)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the Presiding Bishop be asked to appoint a special committee of Bishops, including certain members of the Theology Committee and the Ecumenical Committee, to study and make recommendations concerning the ecumenical and theological issues which would be raised by a decision to ordain a woman Presbyter to the Episcopate; and be it further

Resolved, That the special committee be encouraged to draw upon the resources of the Standing Commission on Ecumenical Relations; and be it further

Resolved, That the results of the study, as well as whatever recommendations may be forthcoming, be considered by the House of Bishops at its 1987 meeting; and be it further

Resolved, That the results of the study, if approved by the House of Bishops, be made a part of the House of Bishops' report to the 1988 Lambeth Conference.

Proposed Committee Amendment:

In the first Resolved:

strike the phrase "including certain members of the Theology Committee and Ecumenical Committee";

strike the phrase "theological issues which would be raised by a decision to ordain a woman Presbyter" and replace it with the phrase "ecclesiological considerations involved in the election and ordination of women Presbyters."

In the second Resolved:

add the phrase "[and] upon other clergy and laity."

In the third Resolved:

strike the phrase "as well as whatever recommendations may be forthcoming."

In the fourth Resolved:

add the phrase "and that the results of the study be shared with the Standing Committees of the several Dioceses of the Church."

Add a fifth Resolved as follows:

"That the explanations listed below [sic] be printed with the Resolution."

Seconded by the Bishop of Indianapolis.

The Bishop of the Rio Grande moved an amendment.

Proposed Amendment:

Strike the words "of Bishops" in the second line of the first Resolved.

Seconded by Bishop Gibson.

Motion on the amended Resolution carried.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #152)

House of Deputies

The Committee on Ecumenical Relations presented its Report #23 on B030 Amended (Women and the Episcopate) and moved concurrence with HB Message #152 without amendment.

Motion carried

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #258)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, September 14.

Abstract:   The 68th General Convention asks the Presiding Bishop to appoint a committee to study the ordination of women as bishops.