Resolution Number: 2015-A132
Title: Amend Canon IV.6.7 [Of Intake and Referral of Information]
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred
Final Text:

Resolved, That Canon IV.6.9 be amended to read as follows:

Sec. 9. If the determination of the Reference Panel is to take no action other than an appropriate pastoral response, the Panel shall notify the Complainant and the subject Member of the Clergy of the determination and the basis for the determination to take no action other than an appropriate pastoral response. If the referral is to conciliation, the provisions of Canon IV.10 shall apply. If the referral is to investigation, the provisions of Canon IV.11 shall apply. If the referral is to the Bishop Diocesan for possible Agreement and an Agreement is not reached within 90 days of the referral, the Reference Panel will re-refer the matter, in accordance with Canon IV.6.8.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Salt Lake City, 2015 (New York: General Convention, 2015), p. 714.

Legislative History

Author: Standing Commission on Constitution and Canons
Originating House: House of Bishops
Originating Committee: Formation and Education for Ministry

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on Formation and Education for Ministry presented its Report #7 on Resolution A132 (Amend Canon IV.6.9 Time to Reach an Agreement) and moved to discharge and re-refer the resolution to the Committee on Constitution and Canons.

Motion carried

Resolution re-referred to a Legislative Committee

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #8)

The House of Bishops Committee on Constitution and Canons presented its Report #3 on Resolution A132 (Amend Canon IV.6.9 Time to Reach an Agreement) and moved adoption.

Original Text of Resolution:

(A132)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That Canon IV.6.9 be amended to read as follows:

Sec. 9. If the determination of the Reference Panel is to take no action other than an appropriate pastoral response, the Panel shall notify the Complainant and the subject Member of the Clergy of the determination and the basis for the determination to take no action other than an appropriate pastoral response. If the referral is to conciliation, the provisions of Canon IV.10 shall apply. If the referral is to investigation, the provisions of Canon IV.11 shall apply. If the referral is to the Bishop Diocesan for possible Agreement and an Agreement is not reached within 90 days of the referral, the Reference Panel will re-refer the matter, in accordance with Canon IV.6.8.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #55)

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on Constitution and Canons presented its Report #10 on HB Message #55 on Resolution A132 (Amend Canon IV.6.9 Time to Reach an Agreement) and moved concurrence.

Motion carried

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #132)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, June 30.

Report Reference:   Standing Commission on Constitution and Canons, Reports to the 78th General Convention, 2015, pp. 313-367.
Abstract:   The 78th General Convention amends Canon IV.6.9 to stipulate a 90-day deadline for action in a referral to the Bishop Diocesan for an Agreement.