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Resolution Number: 2018-A126
Title: Amend Canon IV.19.31 [On Imputation]
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred as Substituted
Final Text:

Resolved, That Canon IV.19.31 be amended to read as follows:

Sec. 31

Any Member of the Clergy canonically resident in the Diocese who deems himself or herself to be under imputation, by rumor or otherwise, of any Offense for which proceedings could be had under this Title, may on his or her own behalf request the Bishop DiocesanIntake Officer to conduct an inquiry with regard to such imputation. Upon receipt of such request by a Member of the Clergy, it shall be the duty of the Bishop Diocesan to cause the matter to be investigated Intake Officer to undertake an initial inquiry pursuant to Canon IV.6 and to report the result to the Member of the Clergy.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Austin, 2018 (New York: General Convention, 2018), p. 1148.

Legislative History

Author: Standing Commission on Structure, Governance, Constitution and Canons
Originating House: House of Deputies
Originating Committee: Safeguarding and Title IV

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on Safeguarding and Title IV presented its Report #26 on Resolution A126 (Amend Canon IV.19 - Recommend Repeal of IV.19.31) and moved adoption of a substitute.

Original Text of Resolution:

(A126)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That Canon IV.19.31 be stricken in its entirety and that the canons that follow it be renumbered accordingly:

Sec. 31.

Any Member of the Clergy canonically resident in the Diocese who deems himself or herself to be under imputation, by rumor or otherwise, of any Offense for which proceedings could be had under this Title, may on his or her own behalf request the Bishop Diocesan to conduct an inquiry with regard to such imputation. Upon receipt of such request by a Member of the Clergy, it shall be the duty of the Bishop Diocesan to cause the matter to be investigated and to report the result to the Member of the Clergy.

Committee Substitute:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That Canon IV.19.31 be amended to read as follows stricken in its entirety and that the canons that follow it be renumbered accordingly:

Sec. 31.

Any Member of the Clergy canonically resident in the Diocese who deems himself or herself to be under imputation, by rumor or otherwise, of any Offense for which proceedings could be had under this Title, may on his or her own behalf request the Bishop Diocesan Intake Officer to conduct an inquiry with regard to such imputation. Upon receipt of such request by a Member of the Clergy, it shall be the duty of the Bishop Diocesan to cause the matter to be investigatedIntake Officer to undertake an initial inquiry pursuant to Canon IV.6 and to report the result to the Member of the Clergy.

Deputy Conley of Arizona moved to end debate.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

An electronic vote was taken on Resolution A126, resulting in 455 yes votes and 360 no votes.

Motion carried

Substitute resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #361)

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on Safeguarding and Title IV presented its Report #33 on HD Message #361 on Resolution A126 (Amend Canon IV.19 - Recommend Repeal of IV.19.31) and moved concurrence.

Proposed Amendment:

The Rt. Rev. Franklin Brookhart, Montana, moved to substitute "Bishop Diocesan" for "Intake Officer".

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That Canon IV.19.31 be amended to read as follows stricken in its entirety and that the canons that follow it be renumbered accordingly:

Sec. 31

Any Member of the Clergy canonically resident in the Diocese who deems himself or herself to be under imputation, by rumor or otherwise, of any Offense for which proceedings could be had under this Title, may on his or her own behalf request the Bishop DiocesanIntake Officer to conduct an inquiry with regard to such imputation. Upon receipt of such request by a Member of the Clergy, it shall be the duty of the Bishop Diocesan to cause the matter to be investigated Intake Officer to undertake an initial inquiry pursuant to Canon IV.6 and to report the result to the Member of the Clergy.

The question was called.

Motion defeated

Amendment defeated

A vote was taken on Resolution A126.

Motion carried

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #452)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 13.

Report Reference:   Standing Commission on Structure, Governance, Constitution & Canons, Reports to the 79th General Convention, 2018, pp. 369-462.
Abstract:   The 79th General Convention amends Canon IV.19.31 to direct that the Intake Officer shall conduct an initial inquiry upon the request of a member of the clergy who deems the existence of an imputation.