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The Acts of Convention

Resolution Number: 2003-A143
Title: Amend Constitution Article I.7 [Of General Convention--First Reading]
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred as Substituted
Final Text:

Resolved, That Article I.7 of the Constitution be amended to read:

Section 7. The General Convention shall meet not less than once in each three years, at a time and place determined in accordance with the Canons. appointed by a preceding Convention; but if there shall appear to the Presiding Bishop, acting with the advice and consent of the Executive Council of the Church or of a successor canonical body having substantially the powers now vested in the Executive Council, sufficient cause for changing the place or date so appointed, the Presiding Bishop, with the advice and consent of such body, shall appoint another place or date, or both, for such meeting. Special meetings may be held as provided for by Canon.

And be it further

Resolved, That this resolution be sent within six months to the Secretary of the Convention of every Diocese to be made known to the Diocesan Convention at its next meeting.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Minneapolis, 2003 (New York: General Convention, 2004), p. 339f.

Legislative History

Author: The Standing Commission on the Structure of the Church
Originating House: House of Bishops
Originating Committee: Committee on Constitution

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on Constitution presented its Report #3 on Resolution A143 (Amend Constitution Article I.7) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(A143)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That Article I.7 of the Constitution be amended to read:

Section 7. The General Convention shall meet not less than once in each three years, at a time and place appointed by a preceding Convention; but if there shall appear to the Presiding Bishop, acting with the advice and consent of the Executive Council of the Church or of a successor canonical body having substantially the powers now vested in the Executive Council, sufficient cause for changing the place or date so appointed, the Presiding Bishop, with the advice and consent of such body, shall appoint another place or date, or both, for such meeting. the Joint Standing Committee on Planning and Arrangements. Special meetings may be provided for by Canon.

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That Article I.7 of the Constitution be amended to read:

Section 7. The General Convention shall meet not less than once in each three years, at a time and place appointed by a preceding Convention; but if there shall appear to the Presiding Bishop, acting with the advice and consent of the Executive Council of the Church or of a successor canonical body having substantially the powers now vested in the Executive Council, sufficient cause for changing the place or date so appointed, the Presiding Bishop, with the advice and consent of such body, shall appoint another place or date, or both, for such meeting. the Joint Standing Committee on Planning and Arrangements. Special meetings may be provided for by Canon.

And be it further

Resolved, That this resolution be sent within six months to the Secretary of the Convention of every Diocese to be made known to the Diocesan Convention at its next meeting.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #16)

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on Constitution presented its Report #1 on HB Message #16 on Resolution A143 (Amend Constitution Article I.7) and moved concurrence.

Deputy Rushing of Massachusetts moved to recommit the resolution to the legislative committee. Deputy Seitz of West Virginia moved the previous question to terminate debate.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken to refer Resolution A143 to the Legislative Committee.

Motion carried

Resolution referred to Legislative Committee

The House of Deputies Committee on Constitution resumed Report #3 on Resolution A143 (Amend Constitution Article I.7) and moved adoption of a substitute.

Committee Substitute:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That Article I.7 of the Constitution be amended to read:

Section 7. The General Convention shall meet not less than once in each three years, at a time and place determined in accordance with the Canons. appointed by a preceding Convention; but if there shall appear to the Presiding Bishop, acting with the advice and consent of the Executive Council of the Church or of a successor canonical body having substantially the powers now vested in the Executive Council, sufficient cause for changing the place or date so appointed, the Presiding Bishop, with the advice and consent of such body, shall appoint another place or date, or both, for such meeting. Special meetings may be held as provided for by Canon.

And be it further

Resolved, That this resolution be sent within six months to the Secretary of the Convention of every Diocese to be made known to the Diocesan Convention at its next meeting.

Motion carried

Substitute resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #117)

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on Constitution presented its Report #10 on HD Message #117 on Resolution A143 (Amend Constitution Article I.7) and moved concurrence.

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB message #262)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, August 8.

Report Reference:   Standing Commission on the Structure of the Church, Reports to the 74th General Convention, 2003, pp. 275-281.
Abstract:   The 74th General Convention amends Constitution Article I.7 to set the time and place for the meeting of the General Convention.