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Resolution Number: 1982-A064
Title: Urge the Education of Clergy and Laity in Counseling
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred As Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That the 67th General Convention of the Episcopal Church urges:

  1. That the Clergy coordinate an effort to identify responsible persons in their community who can provide information in the relevant areas concerning marriage and reproduction in the modern world, serve the educational needs of the Clergy and Laity, and be resource persons for information services and educational opportunities; and
  2. That Diocesan Commissions on Ministries and Seminaries organize continuing opportunities for Clergy and Laity in topics of specialized counseling needs, including such areas as genetics, changing biotechnology, communications skills, parenting, marriage, death, and other areas as appropriate.
Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, New Orleans, 1982 (New York: General Convention, 1983), p. C-102.

Legislative History

Author: The Standing Commission on Human Affairs and Health
Originating House: House of Bishops
Originating Committee: Committee on Education

House of Bishops

Original Text of Resolution:

(A064)

Whereas, there are increasing numbers of topics of great personal concern, in which people are looking to their clergy for assistance in interpretation, guidance, and counseling, and these areas include the application of new scientific advances, as well as personal understanding of self needs and spousal relationships; and

Whereas, no one person can reasonably be expected to have comprehensive knowledge of all the pertinent topics, it is unreasonable to suggest that expert counseling could be provided on this scale by individual clergy; and

Whereas, an important function of the parish family is involvement in meeting the spiritual and social needs of its individual members; therefore, be it

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 67th General Convention of the Episcopal Church urges:

  1. That the clergy coordinate an effort to identify responsible persons in their community who can provide information in the relevant areas concerning marriage and reproduction in the modern world, serve the educational needs of clergy and laity, and be resource persons for information sources and educational opportunities; and
  2. That consideration by Diocesan and Seminary Commissions on Ministries organize continuing education opportunities for clergy and laity in topics of specialized counseling needs, including such areas as genetics, changing biotechnology, communication skills, parenting, marriage, death, and other areas as appropriate.

Proposed Committee Amendment:

Second paragraph:

Make first line read, "Diocesan Commissions on Ministries and Seminaries organize...."

The Committee moved the adoption of the resolution with amendment.

Seconded by the Bishop Suffragan of Colorado.

Motion carried

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #117)

House of Deputies

On the ninth day, the Chairman of the Committee on Education presented Report #13 and recommended that the House concur with Message #117 of the House of Bishops on Resolution A-64A (Expand Counseling).

A motion was made to amend the resolution.

Proposed Amendment:

Add the words "and dying" following "death".

The amendment was initially accepted by the Committee. It was then withdrawn.

The amendment was moved.

Motion lost

Amendment defeated

[The previous question was called.]

Motion carried

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #215)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, September 13.

Report Reference:   Standing Commission on Human Affairs and Health, Reports to the 67th General Convention, 1982, pp. 117-143.
Abstract:   The 67th General Convention urges the clergy to coordinate an educational effort on marriage and reproduction. It urges dioceses and seminaries to organize continuing education on topics related to human reproduction, science, marriage and death.