FINAL VERSION
Resolution:C010
Title:Repeal of GC2006 B033
Topic:Consecration of Bishops
Committee:08 - World Mission
House of Initial Action:Deputies
Proposer:Diocese of Atlanta

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 76th General Convention of The Episcopal Church recognize that the usefulness of Resolution B033 as passed by the 75th General Convention of The Episcopal Church has run its course; and be it further

Resolved, That the 76th General Convention of The Episcopal Church herewith repeal Resolution B033 as passed by the 75th General Convention of The Episcopal Church; and, be it further

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church acknowledges with regret the further oppression visited on the lesbian and gay members of this church by Resolution B033 and its application; and apologizes for the potentially negative impact of said resolution on the ability to respond to the vocational call by the Holy Spirit to the episcopate of any members of this church; and be it further

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church expresses its appreciation to the lesbian and gay members of this church for their patience during this time of discernment for the church; and be it further

Resolved, That in the call to see the face of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in each other, this church pledges its utmost effort to keep all parties "at the table" as The Episcopal Church continues to insure the full participation of all of God's children in the life of this church.


EXPLANATION

Resolution B033 was an attempt by The Episcopal Church to help continue the discussions prompted by resolutions passed at Lambeth Conferences in 1978, 1988, and 1998 and in response to portions of the Windsor Report and the requests of the Primates of the Anglican Communion. The resolution did little to achieve those goals. Yet it did extreme damage to the spiritual well being of the lesbian and gay members of The Episcopal Church and had the potential for limiting the response of those members to any call to the episcopate they might have felt from the Holy Spirit. Resolution B033 needs to be repealed in order to reassure the lesbian and gay members of this church of their full membership in this church and help bring about reconciliation among us all.