| Resolution Number: | 1997-D011 |
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| Title: | Apologize for the Church's Rejection of Gays and Lesbians |
| Legislative Action Taken: | Concurred As Amended |
| Final Text: | |
Resolved, That, while acknowledging the diversity of opinion among the Bishops and Deputies of this Convention on the morality of gay and lesbian sexual relationships, the 72nd General Convention apologize on behalf of the Episcopal Church to its members who are gay or lesbian, and to lesbians and gay men outside the Church, for years of rejection and maltreatment by the Church; and be it further
Resolved, That this Church shall seek amendment of our life together as we ask God's help in sharing the Good News with all people.
| Citation: | General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Philadelphia, 1997 (New York: General Convention, 1998), p. 278. |
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Legislative History
| Author: | Mr. Edgar K. Byham |
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| Originating House: | House of Deputies |
| Originating Committee: | Committee on Social and Urban Affairs |
House of Deputies
Original Text of Resolution:
(D011)
Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That this 72nd General Convention apologize on behalf of the Episcopal Church to its members who are gay or lesbian and to lesbian and gay men outside the Church for years of rejection and maltreatment by the Church; and be it further
Resolved, That this Church repent of its sins committed against lesbian and gay people -- physical, psychological and spiritual -- through covert and overt action and inaction. We seek amendment of our life together and we ask God's help in sharing the Good News with all people.
Proposed Committee Amendment:
Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That , while acknowledging the diversity of opinion among the bishops and deputies of this Convention on the morality of gay and lesbian sexual relationships, this 72nd General Convention apologize on behalf of the Episcopal Church to its members who are gay or lesbian and to lesbian and gay men outside the Church for years of rejection and maltreatment by the Church; and be it further
Resolved, That this Church shall seek amendment of our life together as we ask God's help in sharing the Good News with all people.
Debate followed on Resolution D011.
Deputy Cooke of Western Louisiana moved an amendment to the committee amendment.
Proposed Amendment:
In the committee amendment, first Resolved clause, line 4, after "who are gay or lesbian," add "to their families, and to former gay men and lesbians".
Debate followed on Resolution D011.
The question was called to terminate debate on the Cooke amendment and main motion Resolution D011.
Motion carried
Debate terminated
A vote was taken on the Cooke amendment to Resolution D011.
Motion defeated
Cooke Amendment defeated
A vote was taken on Resolution D011 as amended.
Motion carried
Resolution adopted with amendment
(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #304)
House of Bishops
The Committee on Social and Urban Affairs presented its Report #33 on HD Message #304 on Resolution D011a (Apology to Gays and Lesbians), moved the resolution, and recommended concurrence.
Bishop Gray moved the question to terminate debate on Resolution D011a.
Motion carried
Debate terminated
A vote was taken on concurrence with Resolution D011a.
Motion carried
The House concurred
(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #316)
Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 25.
| Abstract: | The 72nd General Convention apologizes for the Church's rejection and maltreatment of gays and lesbians. |
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