General Convention 2009

Bishop Hollerith on D025............
Resolution D025 was passed by both the House of Bishops (HOB) and the House of Deputies (HOD) at General Convention on Tuesday, July 14, 2009.

Resolution D025 allows for all persons regardless of race, age, gender or sexual orientation to enter the discernment processes acting in accordance with the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church. The resolution was passed by a vote of 99 – 45, with two abstentions in the House of Bishops and by 72% by both lay and clergy in the House of Deputies.

This is not unexpected news. While the media is likely to position this story in such a way to be sensational, the resolution includes some compelling components that are important to note:

1. In accordance with the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church, the resolution recognizes that discrimination of individuals based on race, age, gender or sexual orientation does not have a place in the discernment process of our ministry.
2. The resolution recognizes that God’s call to the ordained ministry in the church is a mystery.
3. The resolution recognizes that we are not all of one mind on the issue of sexuality.
4. The resolution was written in a way that would allow dioceses to consider anyone as a candidate to the episcopacy regardless of sexual orientation, but does not mandate that all dioceses do so.
5. The resolution continues to support Resolution B033 (General Convention 2006) “to exercise restraint by not consenting to the consecration of any candidate whose manner of life presents a challenge to the wider Episcopal Church USA and will lead to further strains on the communion.” It does not suggest that the Episcopal Church will close its moratorium on the consecration of gay bishops.

Resolution DO25 passed in the HOD clergy order by a 2 to 1 margin, in the HOD lay order by a 2 to 1 margin, and in the HOB by a 2 to 1 margin. This demonstrates some consistency among lay and clergy that is important to respect.

I will share with you that both during the House of Deputies and the House of Bishops discussions it was standing room only as this respectful debate ensued. In the House of Bishops we were offered time of round table discussion, prayer and then open debate with open hearts and respectful listening. It was a long day and hard work.

After much thought, prayer and reflection I voted in favor of the resolution. I did so with the full confidence that this was a vote for unity and mission and reaffirms the commitment of the Episcopal Church within the Anglican Communion. It is a more accurate reflection of who the church is, a truer picture that our canonical process is open to all people.

One of my brother bishops have said, and I agree: “God's mission is greater that the passage or defeat of any resolution at this Convention. Regardless of which side of the argument you may find yourself embracing, or what you believe the best way of resolving this situation is, we have a mission that is given to us in partnership with Jesus Christ.”

The affects of this resolution on the diocese and the congregations of Southern Virginia deeply concern me. But I do believe that we will continue to understand it together through open discussions and focus on the Gospel of Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Already scheduled for the fall are some regional meetings where we may sit down and discuss the work of the greater Church as well as the work already accomplished and before us in Southern Virginia.

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