* FINAL VERSION - Concurred
Resolution:B029
Title:Consent to Episcopal Elections
Topic:Constitution
Committee:14 - Ministry
House of Initial Action:Bishops
Proposer:The Rt. Rev. Mark Hollingsworth Jr.

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 76th General Convention amend Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution of The Episcopal Church as follows:

Sec. 2. No one shall be ordained and consecrated Bishop until the attainment of thirty years of age; nor without the consent of a majority of the Standing Committees of all the Dioceses, and the consent of a majority of the Bishops of this Church exercising jurisdiction. But if the election shall have taken place within one hundred twenty days before the meeting of General Convention, the consent of the House of Deputies shall be required in place of that of a majority of the Standing Committees. No one shall be ordained and consecrated Bishop by fewer than three Bishops.


EXPLANATION

The provision for consents to be sought through the House of Deputies for episcopal elections having taken place within one hundred twenty days of General Convention was reasonable and expedient in an era when communications were not as facile as today. In our time, Standing Committees are engaged in the consent process on an ongoing basis and develop consistent discernment practices whereby they respond to the dozen or so requests for consent they receive annually. General Convention deputies, because they answer such requests at only one time every three years, because their legislative committee responsibilities and other hearing commitments conflict with consent hearings during the General Convention, and because of the competing demands of legislation on their attention, do not have the luxury of a familiar process as do their colleagues on Standing Committees. As we continue to have higher numbers of episcopal elections each year, it would be good stewardship of leadership resources and would help the consent process to have it consistently carried out by those who exercise this responsibility on a regular basis. As well, it has been very beneficial in some recent episcopal elections to allow Standing Committees and their bishop colleagues to explore together the attendant issues when considering consent requests, something that is difficult to accomplish during the triennial conventions of The Episcopal Church.

* Note: The final language, as well as the final status of each resolution, is being reviewed by the General Convention office. The Journal of the 76th General Convention and the Constitution and Canons will be published once the review process has been completed.