Resolution Number: 2012-A050
Title: Create a Task Force on the Study of Marriage
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred as Substituted
Final Text:

Resolved, That the 77th General Convention direct the Presiding Bishop and President of the House of Deputies to appoint a task force of not more than twelve people, consisting of theologians, liturgists, pastors, and educators, to identify and explore biblical, theological, historical, liturgical, and canonical dimensions of marriage; and be it further,

Resolved, That the task force consult with the Standing Commission on Constitution and Canons and The Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music to address the pastoral need for priests to officiate at a civil marriage of a same-sex couple in states that authorize such; and be it further

Resolved, That the task force consult with couples living in marriage and in other lifelong committed relationships and with single adults; and be it further,

Resolved, That the task force consult with other churches in the Anglican Communion and with our ecumenical partners; and be it further

Resolved, That the task force consider issues raised by changing societal and cultural norms and legal structures, including legislation authorizing or forbidding marriage, civil unions, or domestic partnerships between two people of the same sex, in the U.S. and other countries where The Episcopal Church is located; and be it further

Resolved, That the task force develop tools for theological reflection and norms for theological discussion at a local level; and be it further

Resolved, That the task force report its progress to the 78th General Convention; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention request the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance to consider a budget allocation of $30,000 for the implementation of this resolution.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Indianapolis, 2012 (New York: General Convention, 2012), pp. 521-522.

Legislative History

Author: Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music
Originating House: House of Bishops
Originating Committee: Prayer Book, Liturgy and Church Music

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on Prayer Book, Liturgy and Church Music presented its Report #21 on Resolution A050 (Create Task Force on the Study of Marriage) and moved adoption of a substitute.

Original Text of Resolution

(A050)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 77th General Convention direct the Presiding Bishop and President of the House of Deputies to appoint a task force of not more than twelve people, consisting of theologians, liturgists, pastors, and educators, to identify and explore biblical, theological, historical, liturgical, and canonical dimensions of marriage; and be it further

Resolved, That the task force consider issues raised by changing societal and cultural norms and legal structures, including legislation authorizing or forbidding marriage, civil unions, or domestic partnerships between two people of the same sex, in the U.S. and other countries where The Episcopal Church is located; and be it further

Resolved, That the task force develop tools for theological reflection and norms for theological discussion at a local level; and be it further

Resolved, That the task force report its progress to the 78th General Convention; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention request the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance to consider a budget allocation of $30,000 for the implementation of this resolution.

Committee Substitute

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 77th General Convention direct the Presiding Bishop and President of the House of Deputies to appoint a task force of not more than twelve people, consisting of theologians, liturgists, pastors, and educators, to identify and explore biblical, theological, historical, liturgical, and canonical dimensions of marriage; and be it further

Resolved, That the task force consult with the Standing Commission on Constitution and Canons and the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music to address the pastoral need for priests to officiate at a civil marriage of a same-sex couple in states that authorize such; and be it further

Resolved, That the task force consult with couples living in marriage and in other lifelong committed relationships and with single adults; and be it further

Resolved, That the task force consult with other churches in the Anglican Communion and with our ecumenical partners; and be it further

Resolved, That the task force consider issues raised by changing societal and cultural norms and legal structures, including legislation authorizing or forbidding marriage, civil unions, or domestic partnerships between two people of the same sex, in the U.S. and other countries where The Episcopal Church is located; and be it further

Resolved, That the task force develop tools for theological reflection and norms for theological discussion at a local level; and be it further

Resolved, That the task force report its progress to the 78th General Convention; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention request the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance to consider a budget allocation of $30,000 for the implementation of this resolution.

Motion carried

Substitute resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message # 62)

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on Prayer Book, Liturgy and Church Music presented its Report #21 on HB Message #62 on Resolution A050 (Create Task Force on the Study of Marriage) and moved concurrence.

Deputy Lewis of Southwest Florida moved to amend the resolution.

Proposed Amendment

Delete “Resolved, That the task force consult with the Standing Commission on Constitution and Canons and The Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music to address the pastoral need for priests to officiate at a civil marriage of a same-sex couple in states that authorize such; and be it further

Resolved, That the task force consult with couples living in marriage and in other lifelong committed relationships and with single adults, and be it further,

Resolved, that the task force consult with other churches in the Anglican Communion and with our ecumenical partners, and be it further

Resolved, That the task force consider issues raised by changing societal and cultural norms and legal structures, including legislation authorizing or forbidding marriage, civil unions, or domestic partnerships between two people of the same sex, in the U.S. and other countries where The Episcopal Church is located; and be it further”.

Deputy Pollard of New York moved the previous question.

A Deputy of Province IX reported to the President that the Spanish-language translation of Resolution A050 had not yet been made available. The Secretary requested of the President that the question be postponed until the Spanish-language translation had been made available. The President granted the request and postponed the matter.

House of Deputies

Continuation of Debate on Resolution A050

The Secretary reminded the House where the debate on Resolution A050 had been suspended.

The President called for the vote on the Pollard motion to move the previous question on the amendment.

Deputy Shambaugh of Maine moved to suspend the length of the legislative session and extend the legislative session to 7:00 p.m.

Motion defeated

The President asked the House to consider defeating the motion on moving the previous question so the Spanish-speaking deputations could take part in the discussion on the amendment, having now had an opportunity to review the Spanish-language translations of the same. A vote was taken on moving the previous question on the amendment.

Motion defeated

Deputy Land of Wyoming moved the previous question on the amendment and the main motion.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on the amendment.

Motion defeated

Amendment defeated

The President called for a vote on the main motion.

Deputy Cunningham of Southern Virginia requested that the Chair rule the resolution out of order according to Joint Rule of Order 9. The Chair ruled that a sunset clause on the Joint Commission be inserted and that the resolution was not out of order.

Deputy Lewis of South Carolina, representing the clerical deputations of South Carolina, Albany, and Central Florida and the lay deputation of South Carolina, called for a Vote by Orders.

A Vote by Orders was taken.

House of Deputies

Results of Vote by Order on Resolution A050

The President announced results of vote on Resolution A050:

TypeTotalNecessaryYesNoDividedNo+DividedResult
Lay:110568915520Carried
Clergy111569214317Carried

Motion carried

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #159)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 9.

Report Reference:   Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, Reports to the 77th General Convention, 2012, pp. 162-474.
Abstract:   The 77th General Convention directs that a task force be appointed to explore dimensions of marriage by consulting with couples living in marriage and other lifelong committed relationships, and with single adults, and with other churches; and requests the task force to develop tools for theological discussion at a local level.
Notes:  

Resolutions 2012-B014 and 2012-C076 were discharged because the matter was considered in 2012-A050.