The Acts of Convention
| Resolution Number: | 1985-B042 |
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| Title: | Add Martin Luther King, Jr. to the Church Calendar |
| Legislative Action Taken: | Concurred As Amended |
| Final Text: | |
Resolved, That the Episcopal Church add to the Calendar of the Church Year in the Book of Common Prayer the name of Martin Luther King, Jr., on the date of April 4, with January 15 as an alternative date; and be it further
Resolved, That this Convention recognizes that Martin Luther King, Jr. has such a significant place in American life that it justifies the waiving of our precedents, namely: the waiting period of 50 years; the inclusion of a post-Reformation non-Anglican; providing an alternative date for this celebration [rather than the date of death].
| Citation: | General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Anaheim, 1985 (New York: General Convention, 1986), p. 586. |
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Legislative History
| Author: | |
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| Originating House: | House of Bishops |
| Originating Committee: | Committee on Prayer Book and Liturgy |
House of Bishops
Original Text of Resolution:
(B042)
Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 68th General Convention of the Episcopal Church meeting in Anaheim, California, in 1985 add to its official calendar of Christian Saints and Worthies in the Book of Common Prayer the name of Martin Luther King, Jr., on the date of April 4; and be it further
Resolved, That the Standing Liturgical Commission be instructed to waive the usual waiting period.
Proposed Committee Amendment:
Substitute for the first Resolved clause the following:
Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the Episcopal Church add to the Calendar of the Church Year in the Book of Common Prayer the name of Martin Luther King, Jr., on the date of April 4th; and be it further
Seconded by Bishop Burgess.
Motion carried
Resolution adopted
(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #57)
House of Deputies
On the eighth day, the Committee on Prayer Book and Liturgy presented its Report #6 on B042a (Martin Luther King) and moved concurrence with HB Message #57 with amendment.
Proposed Committee Amendment:
In the first Resolved clause:
delete the words "April 4" and insert the words "January 15."
Delete the second Resolved clause in its entirety and substitute the following:
Resolved, That this Convention recognize that Martin Luther King, Jr. has such a significant place in American life that it justifies the waiving of our precedents, namely:
--the waiting period of 50 years
--the inclusion of a post-Reformation non-Anglican
--the observance of the date of birth rather than the date of death.
Motion carried
The House concurred with amendment
(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #214)
Dr. Price and Dean Warner were appointed to serve on a Committee of Conference.
Later in the day, the Conference Committee on Prayer Book and Liturgy presented its Report #20 on B042a (Martin Luther King) and moved concurrence with HB Message #57 as amended.
Proposed Amendment:
In the first Resolved clause:
change "on the date of January 15" to "on the date of April 4, with January 15 as an alternative date."
In the second Resolved clause:
delete "the observance of the date of birth" and add in its place "providing an alternative date for this celebration."
Motion carried
The House concurred with amendment
(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #230)
House of Bishops
The following message was received from the House of Deputies:
HD Message #214: B042 Amended (Add Martin Luther King, Jr., to the Calendar) with Amendment.
The House concurred
(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #271)
Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, September 14.
| Abstract: | The 68th General Convention authorizes the addition of Martin Luther King, Jr. to the Church Calendar. |
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