Resolution Number: 2000-A028
Title: Establish Task Force on Disciplinary Policy and Procedure
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred as Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That the General Convention establish, pursuant to Joint Rule 23, a Task Force of not less than 6 or more than 12 persons, of whom one-half shall be appointed by the Standing Commission on Ministry Development and one-half shall be appointed by the Standing Commission on Constitution and Canons; and, that in light of the Church's theology and the Church's experience, the Task Force: (1) assess the present models of church discipline, as reflected both in the policies and procedures addressing allegations of clergy misconduct and in Title IV of the national canons of the Episcopal Church; (2) study and explore other models for addressing misconduct, such as the disciplinary models used by physicians, professors, lawyers and other professionals, and the policies and procedures of other Christian communions; and (3) at or before the 74th General Convention, deliver a report of its findings and recommendations to the Standing Commission on Ministry Development, the Standing Commission on Constitution and Canons, and the Committee on Sexual Exploitation, and the 74th General Convention; and (4) at or before the 75th General Convention, deliver its final report of such findings and recommendations to the same bodies; and be it further

Resolved, That the sum of $60,000 be appropriated for the work of the Task Force.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Denver, 2000 (New York: General Convention, 2001), p. 300.

Legislative History

Author: The Standing Commission on Constitution and Canons
Originating House: House of Deputies
Originating Committee: Committee on Ministry

House of Deputies

Original Text of Resolution:

(A028)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the General Convention establish, pursuant to Joint Rule 23, a Task Force of not less than 6 or more than 12 persons, of whom one-half shall be appointed by the Standing Commission on Ministry Development and one-half shall be appointed by the Standing Commission on Constitution and Canons; and, that in light of the Church's theology and the Church's experience, the Task Force: (1) assess the present models of church discipline, as reflected both in the policies and procedures addressing allegations of clergy misconduct and in Title IV of the national canons of the Episcopal Church; (2) study and explore other models for addressing misconduct, such as the disciplinary models used by physicians, professors, lawyers and other professionals, and the policies and procedures of other Christian communions; and (3) at or before the 74th General Convention, deliver a report of its findings and recommendations to the Standing Commission on Ministry Development, the Standing Commission on Constitution and Canons, and the Committee on Sexual Exploitation, and the 74th General Convention; and (4) at or before the 75th General Convention, deliver its final report of such findings and recommendations to the same bodies; and be it further

Resolved, That the sum of $60,000 be appropriated for the work of the Task Force.

Debate followed on the resolution.

Deputy Presler of Massachusetts moved to amend the resolution.

Proposed Amendment:

Add after the words "other professionals" the words ", and the policies and procedures of other Christian communions."

The question was called.

A vote was taken to terminate debate.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on the Presler amendment.

Motion carried

Amendment adopted

A vote was taken on Resolution A028 as amended.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #120)

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on Ministry presented its Report #20 on HD Message #120 on Resolution A028 (Establish Task Force on Disciplinary Policy and Procedure) and moved concurrence.

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #200)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 13.

Report Reference:   Standing Commission on Constitution and Canons, Reports to the 73rd General Convention, 2000, pp. 43-68.
Abstract:   The 73rd General Convention establishes and appropriates funds for a Task Force to study, assess, and report on present models of church discipline with regard to clergy misconduct.