Episcopal Church leaders held a webcast previewing General Convention yesterday, May 13. Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori, House of Deputies President Bonnie Anderson, General Convention executive the Rev. Gregory Straub, and Bishop J. Jon Bruno of the host diocese of Los Angeles were the presenters.
The role of young people, the fate of controversial resolutions and the effect of actions on the “people in the pews” were some of the topics discussed during an Internet broadcast, or webcast, May 13 with officers of General Convention, the Episcopal Church’s triennial governing meeting…
The webcast, which was moderated by Neva Rae Fox, program officer for public affairs for the Episcopal Church, originated from Anaheim, California, where the convention will meet from July 8 to 17.
The fate of GC2006 B033 (see below the fold) was discussed. The Presiding Bishop said:
I’ve been very clear in my public communications for the last few months that my hope is that we not attempt to repeal past legislation at General Convention—it’s a bad legislative practice,” said Jefferts Schori. “I would far more prefer us to say where we are today, in 2009, to make a positive statement about our desire to include all people fully in this church and that we be clear about who we are as the Episcopal Church.
President of the House of Deputies Bonnie Anderson noted:
Twelve resolutions concerning B033 have been submitted … and all have been assigned to legislative committees, as is the practice for all resolutions. “We can’t really predict what will happen in regards to B033, which is the beauty of General Convention. It is up to the participants at General Convention to take those resolutions under consideration, to hold open hearings with regards to the resolutions, gather the voices of everyone present that wishes to speak … and we also pray for the intervention of the Holy Spirit as we debate in the House of Deputies.”
The Rev. Susan Russell, President of Integrity writes at her blog:
We can not only live with that … we can WORK with that. A positive statement about our desire to include all people fully in this church is EXACTLY what we mean by “the full inclusion of all the baptized in all the sacraments” — and it is exactly what we are going to Anaheim to help our deputies and bishops both craft and implement.
Others feel less encouraged by the words of the Presiding Bishop. Please use the comment sections to add your thoughts. (be sure to sign your name to your comments)
Questions were asked about General Convention and The Covenant. The Presiding Bishop said it would be discussed but as it is not in its complete form the General Convention could not vote on it yet.
All legislation submitted to date is here.
Resolutions on B033, Same Sex Blessings and other resolutions affecting the lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons in the church are here.
More from Episcopal LIfe Online report here.
The webcast can be viewed here.
UPDATE: 8PM
Mark Harris comments here on stating where TEC is in 2009 on consents to the elections of new bishops.
Resolution Number: 2006-B033
Title: Exercise Restraint in Consecrating Candidates
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred
Final Text:
Resolved, That the 75th General Convention receive and embrace The Windsor Report’s invitation to engage in a process of healing and reconciliation; and be it further
Resolved, That this Convention therefore call upon Standing Committees and bishops with jurisdiction to exercise restraint by not consenting to the consecration of any candidate to the episcopate whose manner of life presents a challenge to the wider church and will lead to further strains on communion