Digital Archives

The Acts of Convention

Resolution Number: 2022-D052
Title: Amend Canon III.11.8 [Of the Ordination of Bishops]
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred
Final Text:

Resolved, That Canon III.11.8 is hereby amended to read as follows:

Sec. 8

a. Within ten days after the election of a Bishop Diocesan, a Bishop Coadjutor, or a Bishop Suffragan by a Diocesan Convention, delegates constituting no less than ten percent of the number of delegates casting votes on the final ballot may file with the Secretary of the Convention written objections to the election process, setting forth in detail all alleged irregularities. Within ten days after receipt thereof, the Secretary of the Convention shall forward copies of the same to the Bishop Diocesan, the Chancellor and Standing Committee of the Diocese, and to the Presiding Bishop, who shall request the Court of Review of the Province in which the Diocese is located to investigate the complaint. The Court of Review may invite response by the Bishop Diocesan, the Chancellor, the Standing Committee and any other persons within the Diocese for which the Bishop was elected. Within thirty 45 days after receipt of the request, the Court of Review shall send a written report of its findings to the Presiding Bishop, a copy of which report the Presiding Bishop, within fifteen days, shall cause to be sent to the Bishop Diocesan, the Chancellor, the Standing Committee and the Secretary of the Convention of the electing Diocese. The Secretary shall send a copy of the report to each of the delegates who filed objection to the election process.

b. The report of the Court of Review shall be sent to the Standing Committees of the several Dioceses, with the Certificate of the Secretary of the electing Convention relating to consent to ordain. Likewise, the Presiding Bishop shall include the report in the communication to the Bishops exercising jurisdiction. The 120 day period for Standing Committees and Bishops to consent to the election begins with these communications.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Baltimore, 2022 (New York: General Convention, 2023), pp. 485-486.

Legislative History

Author: The Rev. Chris Wendell
Originating House: House of Bishops
Originating Committee: Ministry

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on Ministry presented its Report #20 on Resolution D052 (Amending Canon III.11.8 Regarding Objections to Episcopal Elections) and moved adoption.

Original Text of Resolution:

(D052)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That Canon III.11.8 is hereby amended to read as follows:

Sec. 8

a. Within ten days after the election of a Bishop Diocesan, a Bishop Coadjutor, or a Bishop Suffragan by a Diocesan Convention, delegates constituting no less than ten percent of the number of delegates casting votes on the final ballot may file with the Secretary of the Convention written objections to the election process, setting forth in detail all alleged irregularities. Within ten days after receipt thereof, the Secretary of the Convention shall forward copies of the same to the Bishop Diocesan, the Chancellor and Standing Committee of the Diocese, and to the Presiding Bishop, who shall request the Court of Review of the Province in which the Diocese is located to investigate the complaint. The Court of Review may invite response by the Bishop Diocesan, the Chancellor, the Standing Committee and any other persons within the Diocese for which the Bishop was elected. Within thirty 45 days after receipt of the request, the Court of Review shall send a written report of its findings to the Presiding Bishop, a copy of which report the Presiding Bishop, within fifteen days, shall cause to be sent to the Bishop Diocesan, the Chancellor, the Standing Committee and the Secretary of the Convention of the electing Diocese. The Secretary shall send a copy of the report to each of the delegates who filed objection to the election process.

b. The report of the Court of Review shall be sent to the Standing Committees of the several Dioceses, with the Certificate of the Secretary of the electing Convention relating to consent to ordain. Likewise, the Presiding Bishop shall include the report in the communication to the Bishops exercising jurisdiction. The 120 day period for Standing Committees and Bishops to consent to the election begins with these communications.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #231)

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on Ministry presented its Report #33 on HB Message #231 on Resolution D052 (Amending Canon III.11.8 Regarding Objections to Episcopal Elections) and moved concurrence.

Motion carried

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #256)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 10.

Abstract:   The 80th General Convention amends Canon III.11.8 to improve specificity regarding the Court of Review’s investigations of contested episcopal elections.