Resolution Number: 2006-A163
Title: Affirm Pastoral Care for All Members of the Church
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred as Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That the 75th General Convention of The Episcopal Church affirm the centrality of effective and appropriate pastoral care for all members of this Church and all who come seeking the aid of this Church; and be it further

Resolved, That the 75th General Convention commit The Episcopal Church to the ongoing engagement of and sensitive response to the request and need of all the people of God – in particular, but not exclusively, those who agree and those who disagree with the actions of this body, those who feel isolated thereby, and gay and lesbian persons within and without this Church; and be it further

Resolved,That the 75th General Convention recognize the agonizing position of those who do not feel able to receive appropriate pastoral care from their own bishops, and urges the members of the House of Bishops to seek the highest degree of communion and reconciliation within their own dioceses, using when requested in good faith the Delegated Episcopal Pastoral Oversight (DEPO) process detailed in the March 2004 statement of the House of Bishops, “Caring for All the Churches;” and be it further

Resolved,That the 75th General Convention urge continued maintenance of historic diocesan boundaries, the authority of the diocesan bishop, and respect for the historical relationships of the separate and autonomous Provinces of the Anglican Communion.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Columbus, 2006 (New York: General Convention, 2007), p. 356.

Legislative History

Author: The Special Commission on the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion
Originating House: House of Deputies
Originating Committee: Special Legislative Committee

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Special Legislative Committee presented its Report #4 on Resolution A163 (Pastoral Care and Delegated Episcopal Pastoral Oversight) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(A163)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 75th General Convention of The Episcopal Church affirm the centrality of effective and appropriate pastoral care for all members of this Church and all who come seeking the aid of this Church; and be it further

Resolved, That the 75th General Convention commit The Episcopal Church to the ongoing engagement of and sensitive response to the request and need of all the people of God – in particular, but not exclusively, those who agree and those who disagree with the actions of this body, those who feel isolated thereby, and gay and lesbian persons within and without this Church; and be it further

Resolved, That the 75th General Convention recognize the agonizing position of those who do not feel able to receive appropriate pastoral care from their own bishops, and urge the members of the House of Bishops to seek the highest degree of communion and reconciliation within their own dioceses, using when necessary the Delegated Episcopal Pastoral Oversight (DEPO) process detailed in the March 2004 statement of the House of Bishops, “Caring for All the Churches;” and be it further

Resolved, That the 75th General Convention urge continued attention to the proper maintenance of historic diocesan boundaries and the authority of the diocesan bishop.

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 75th General Convention of The Episcopal Church affirm the centrality of effective and appropriate pastoral care for all members of this Church and all who come seeking the aid of this Church; and be it further

Resolved, That the 75th General Convention commit The Episcopal Church to the ongoing engagement of and sensitive response to the request and need of all the people of God – in particular, but not exclusively, those who agree and those who disagree with the actions of this body, those who feel isolated thereby, and gay and lesbian persons within and without this Church; and be it further

Resolved, That the 75th General Convention recognize the agonizing position of those who do not feel able to receive appropriate pastoral care from their own bishops, and urges the members of the House of Bishops to seek the highest degree of communion and reconciliation within their own dioceses, using when necessaryrequested in good faith the Delegated Episcopal Pastoral Oversight (DEPO) process detailed in the March 2004 statement of the House of Bishops, “Caring for All the Churches;” and be it further

Resolved, That the 75th General Convention urge continued attention to the propermaintenance of historic diocesan boundaries,and the authority of the diocesan bishop. , and respect for the historical relationships of the separate and autonomous Provinces of the Anglican Communion.

Vote by Orders

Deputy Harmon of South Carolina, on behalf of the clergy and lay deputations of South Carolina, the clergy and lay deputations of Fort Worth, the clergy and lay deputations of Quincy, and the clergy and lay deputations of Central Florida, requested a vote by orders. The President declared the motion to be in order.

Deputy Perchall of Springfield moved to amend the resolution.

Proposed Amendment:

In the third resolve clause, delete the words “in good faith.”

Deputy Fontaine of Wyoming moved the previous question on the amendment.

A vote was taken to terminate debate.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on the amendment.

Motion defeated

Amendment defeated

Deputy Grizzle of Texas moved to amend the resolution.

Proposed Amendment:

Delete the final resolve clause and substitute the following: “Resolved, That the 75th General Convention call attention to constitutional provisions relating to the proper maintenance of historic diocesan boundaries and the authority of Bishops Diocesan within such boundaries and insist that all bishops abide by such provisions.”

Motion defeated

Amendment defeated

Deputy Wilson of Pittsburgh, on behalf of the lay and clergy deputations of Pittsburgh, moved to divide the question, to provide for a separate vote on the fourth resolve clause.

Motion defeated

Deputy Land of Wyoming moved the previous question.

A vote was taken to terminate debate.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

Ballot #4—Vote By Orders

Ballot #4 was taken on Resolution A163.

Ballot #4 taken by orders

Results of Ballot #4: Vote By Orders on Resolution A163

The Secretary read the results of Ballot #4.

TypeTotalNecessaryYesNoDividedNo+DivResults
Lay:109559212416Carried
Clergy:111569613215Carried

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #136)

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Special Legislative Committee presented its Report #25 on HD Message #136 on Resolution A163 (Pastoral Care and Delegated Episcopal Pastoral Oversight) and moved concurrence.

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #280)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, June 21.

Report Reference:   Special Commission on the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion, Reports to the 75th General Convention, 2006, p. 407.
Abstract:   The 75th General Convention affirms pastoral care for all members of the Church and commits to the engagement of all people of God – in particular those who feel isolated by the actions of this body.