The Acts of Convention

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Special Legislative Committee on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse presented its Report #1 on Resolution D014 (Question Ordinands about Addiction) and moved adoption of a substitute.

Original Text of Resolution:

(D014)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That Vestries, Committees on Ministry and Standing Committees interviewing aspirants for ordination ask one or more questions regarding substance use; and be it further

Resolved, That aspirants who may have addiction issues be referred to addiction counselors for further evaluation; and be it further

Resolved, That the 78th General Convention adopt the following statement:

Alcoholism, substance abuse and addiction disrupt the lives of clergy, their families, and their congregations. Studies indicate that the percentage of seminarians with alcoholic parents was 14% as opposed to 10% of the population. Recovery from addiction needs the support of the church and the aspirant with tools common for recovery such as counseling and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).

Committee Substitute:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That Sponsoring Clergy, Vestries, Commissions on Ministry, Standing Committees, and Bishops interviewing and evaluating Nominees, Postulants, and Candidates for Ordination explore directly issues regarding substance use in their lives and family systems; and be it further

Resolved, That Nominees, Postulants, and Candidates who may have addiction issues be offered appropriate resources and referred to qualified mental health, healthcare, and/or addiction professionals for further evaluation prior to proceeding in the ordination process.

Deputy Rivetti of Spokane moved to amend the resolution.

Proposed Amendment:

Add the following resolved:

Resolved, the foregoing shall not be construed to prevent those with the disease of alcoholism or addiction to other drugs from access to the process for ordination.

Deputy Swanson of Vermont moved an amendment to the amendment.

Proposed Amendment:

Amend the Rivetti amendment to read:

Resolved, the foregoing shall not be construed to prevent those with the disease of alcoholism or addiction to other drugsother addictions from access to the process for ordination.

Deputy Perry of Chicago moved to end debate on the amendment to the amendment.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on the amendment to the amendment.

Motion defeated

Amendment defeated

Deputy Wood of New York moved to end debate on the amendment.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on the amendment.

Motion defeated

Amendment defeated

A vote was taken on the resolution.

Motion carried

Substitute resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #57)