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The Acts of Convention

Resolution Number: 2024-D052
Title: Amend Canon IV.10.3 [Of Conciliation], Canon IV.4.1.d [Accords or Orders], and Canon IV.8 [Of Pastoral Response]
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred as Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That the 81st General Convention amend Canon IV.10.3 to read as follows:

Sec. 3. If the conciliation is successful in reaching agreement among the parties on a suitable resolution of all issues, an Accord will be prepared as provided in Canon IV.14. If conciliation cannot be achieved within a reasonable time, the Conciliator will report such to the Bishop Diocesan, and the matter will be referred back to the Reference Panel. The Reference Panel may meet with the Conciliator and shall consider the report to determine whether to: (a) take no action other than appropriate pastoral responses pursuant to Canon IV.8; (a) conclude the matter with an appropriate pastoral response pursuant to Canon IV.8; (b) refer the matter to the Bishop Diocesan for consideration of proceedings pursuant to Canon IV.9; (c) investigation investigate the matter pursuant to Canon IV.11; or (d) refer the matter directly to the Hearing Panel pursuant to Canon IV.13. The determination shall be approved by a majority vote of the Reference Panel.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Louisville, 2024 (New York: General Convention, 2024), pp. 853-854.

Legislative History

Author: Canon Paul Ambos
Originating House: House of Deputies
Originating Committee: Title IV Disciplinary Canons

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on Title IV: Disciplinary Canons presented its Report #36 on Resolution D052 (Amend Canon IV.10.3) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(D052)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring,

That the 81st General Convention amend Canon IV.10.3 to read as follows:

Sec. 3. If the conciliation is successful in reaching agreement among the parties on a suitable resolution of all issues, an Accord will be prepared as provided in Canon IV.14 If conciliation cannot be achieved within a reasonable time, the Conciliator will report such to the Bishop Diocesan, and the matter will be referred back to the Reference Panel. The Reference Panel may meet with the Conciliator and shall consider the report to determine whether to: (a) take no action other than appropriate pastoral responses pursuant to Canon IV.8; (b) refer the matter to the Bishop Diocesan for consideration of proceedings under Canon IV.9; (c) investigation pursuant to Canon IV.11; or (d) refer the matter directly to the Hearing Panel pursuant to Canon IV.13. The determination shall be approved by a majority vote of the Reference Panel.

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring,

That the 81st General Convention amend Canon IV.10.3 to read as follows:

Sec. 3. If the conciliation is successful in reaching agreement among the parties on a suitable resolution of all issues, an Accord will be prepared as provided in Canon IV.14. If conciliation cannot be achieved within a reasonable time, the Conciliator will report such to the Bishop Diocesan, and the matter will be referred back to the Reference Panel. The Reference Panel may meet with the Conciliator and shall consider the report to determine whether to: (a) take no action other than appropriate pastoral responses pursuant to Canon IV.8; (a) conclude the matter with an appropriate pastoral response pursuant to Canon IV.8; (b) refer the matter to the Bishop Diocesan for consideration of proceedings pursuant to Canon IV.9; (c) investigation investigate the matter pursuant to Canon IV.11; or (d) refer the matter directly to the Hearing Panel pursuant to Canon IV.13. The determination shall be approved by a majority vote of the Reference Panel.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #191)

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on Title IV: Disciplinary Canons presented its Report #56 on HD Message #191 on Resolution D052 (Amend Canon IV.10.3) and moved concurrence.

Motion carried

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #224)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, June 27.

Abstract:   The 81st General Convention amends Canons IV.2, IV.4.1.d and IV.8 to add Restorative Covenant, or an agreement between parties resulting from a facilitated conversation, as a possible outcome of Concillation.