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The Acts of Convention

Resolution Number: 2015-A122
Title: Amend Canon III.12.3(a)(2) [Council of Conciliation]
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred
Final Text:

Resolved, That Canon III.12.3(a)(2) is hereby amended to read as follows:

(2) If no visitation has occurred in a congregation for three years, the Bishop Diocesan or the Member of the Clergy in charge and Vestry or comparable body may apply to the Presiding Bishop to appoint five Bishops Diocesan who live nearest to the Diocese in which such Congregation is situated as a Council of Conciliation. The Council shall determine all matters of difference between the parties, and each party shall conform to the decision of the Council.; Pprovided, that, in case of any subsequent trialdisciplinary proceedings of either party for failure to conform to the decision, any right of the Accused Respondent under the Constitutions and Canons of this Church or the Diocese holding the trialdisciplinary proceedings may be pleaded and established as a sufficient defense, notwithstanding the former decision; and Provided, further, that, in any case, the Bishop may at any time apply for such Council of Conciliation.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Salt Lake City, 2015 (New York: General Convention, 2015), p. 419.

Legislative History

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

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on Formation and Education for Ministry presented its Report #2 on Resolution A122 (Amend Canon III.12.3(a)(2)) and moved adoption.

Original Text of Resolution:

(A122)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That Canon III.12.3(a)(2) is hereby amended to read as follows:

(2) If no visitation has occurred in a congregation for three years, the Bishop Diocesan or the Member of the Clergy in charge and Vestry or comparable body may apply to the Presiding Bishop to appoint five Bishops Diocesan who live nearest to the Diocese in which such Congregation is situated as a Council of Conciliation. The Council shall determine all matters of difference between the parties, and each party shall conform to the decision of the Council.; Pprovided, that, in case of any subsequent trialdisciplinary proceedings of either party for failure to conform to the decision, any right of the AccusedRespondent under the Constitutions and Canons of this Church or the Diocese holding the trialdisciplinary proceedings may be pleaded and established as a sufficient defense, notwithstanding the former decision; and Provided, further, that, in any case, the Bishop may at any time apply for such Council of Conciliation.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #16)

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on Formation and Education for Ministry presented its Report #46 on HD Message #16 on Resolution A122 (Amend Canon III.12.3(a)(2)) and moved concurrence.

Motion carried

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #340)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 3.

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 III.12.3(a)(2) by removing references to disciplinary trials and substituting updated language.