The Acts of Convention

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on Constitution and Canons presented its Report #21 on Resolution A072 (Amend Article X of the Constitution of The Episcopal Church [Of the Book of Common Prayer -- Second Reading]) and moved adoption.

Original Text of Resolution:

(A072)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring,

That the 80th General Convention of The Episcopal Church repeal Article X in its entirety and replace it with the following:

Article X: Of The Book of Common Prayer

Sec. 1. The Book of Common Prayer is understood to be those liturgical forms and other texts authorized by the General Convention in accordance with this article and the Canons of this Church.

The Book of Common Prayer in this Church is intended to be communal and devotional prayer enriched by our church’s cultural, geographical, and linguistic contexts. The Book of Common Prayer shall contain both public worship and private devotion.

The Book of Common Prayer, as now established or hereafter amended by the General Convention, shall be in use in all the Dioceses of this Church.

Sec. 2. No alteration thereof or addition thereto shall be made unless the General Convention approve the same on first reading in one regular meeting of the General Convention and, by resolve so directing, be sent by the Secretary of the General Convention to the Secretary of the Convention of every Diocese, to be made known to the Diocesan Convention at its next regular meeting, and be adopted on second reading without alteration by the General Convention at its next succeeding regular meeting by a majority of all Bishops, excluding retired Bishops not present, of the whole number of Bishops entitled to vote in the House of Bishops, and by an affirmative vote by orders in the House of Deputies in accordance with Art. I, Sec. 5 of this Constitution, except that concurrence in the affirmative by the orders shall require the affirmative vote in each order by a majority of the Dioceses entitled to representation in the House of Deputies.

Sec. 3. No alteration thereof or addition thereto shall be made unless it has previously been authorized for Trial Use in accordance with this Article and the Canons of this Church.

Sec. 4. The General Convention may at any one meeting, by a majority of the whole number of the Bishops entitled to vote in the House of Bishops, and by a majority of the Clerical and Lay Deputies of all the Dioceses entitled to representation in the House of Deputies, voting by orders as previously set forth in this Article:

a. Amend the Table of Lessons and all Tables and Rubrics relating to the Psalms.

b. Authorize for Trial Use such alterations or additions in whole or in part to the established Book of Common Prayer as may be proposed in accord with the Canons of this Church and duly undertaken by and implemented according to the directives of the General Convention.

c. Authorize for use throughout this Church, as provided by Canon, alternative and additional liturgies to supplement those provided in the Book of Common Prayer.

Sec. 5. Nothing in this Article shall be construed as restricting the authority of the Bishops of this Church to take such order as may be permitted by the Rubrics of the Book of Common Prayer or by the Canons of the General Convention for the use of special forms of worship.

And be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention direct the President of the House of Deputies and the Presiding Bishop to appoint a working group of nine members to include the Custodian of The Book of Common Prayer, some members of Committee 12 of the 80th General Convention, some members of a Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, and others as needed to review the Canons relevant to the implementation of this Article and propose revisions to the 81st General Convention. An initial framework is provided as a starting point for this work; and be it further

Resolved, That an allocation of $30,000 be made to support the work of the working group.

Debate ensued.

The Rt. Rev. Daniel Richards, Diocese of Upper South Carolina made a moved to amend the resolution (FA032).

Proposed Amendment:

Change the second and third Resolves:

Resolved, That the General Convention direct the President of the House of Deputies and the Presiding Bishop to appoint a working group of nine members to include the Custodian of The Book of Common Prayer, some members of Committee 12 of the 80th 81st General Convention, some members of a Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, and others as needed to review the Canons relevant to the implementation of this Article and propose revisions to the 81st 82nd General Convention. An initial framework is provided as a starting point for this work; and be it further

Resolved, That an allocation of $30,000 10,000 be made to support the work of the working group.

Debate ensued.

A vote was taken on the amendment.

Motion defeated

Amendment defeated

Debate ensued.

The Rt. Rev. Kevin Brown, Diocese of Delaware made a motion to end debate.

A vote was taken on the motion.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on Resolution A072.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #70)