A071 Amend Canons III.6.5, III.8.5, and III.10.1
Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring,
That the 80th General Convention, in support of the canonical requirement of rectors and priests-in-charge to ensure that all persons in their charge are instructed concerning Christian stewardship, amend Canon III.6.5.g as follows:
<Amended text as it would appear if adopted and concurred. Scroll below the line of asterisks (******) to see the version showing all deleted and added text.>
Can.III.6
Sec. 5. Preparation for Ordination
g. Preparation for ordination shall include training regarding
1. prevention of sexual misconduct against both children and adults.
2. civil requirements for reporting and pastoral opportunities for responding to evidence of abuse.
3. the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church, particularly Title IV thereof.
4. the Church's teaching on racism.
5. Stewardship and the Church’s theology of money.
And be it further
Resolved, that Canon III.8.5.h be amended to as follows:
Can.III.8
Sec. 5. Preparation for Ordination
h. Preparation for ordination shall include training regarding
1. prevention of sexual misconduct against both children and adults.
2. civil requirements for reporting and pastoral opportunities for responding to evidence of abuse.
3. the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church, particularly Title IV thereof, utilizing, but not limited to use of, the Title IV training website of The Episcopal Church.
4. the Church’s teaching on racism.
5. Stewardship and the Church’s theology of money.
And be it further
Resolved, that Canon III.10.1.c be amended to as follows:
Can.III.10
Sec. 1. Prior to reception or ordination, the following must be provided
c. evidence of training regarding
1. prevention of sexual misconduct.
2. civil requirements for reporting and pastoral opportunities for responding to evidence of abuse.
3. the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church, particularly Title IV thereof.
4. training regarding the Church’s teaching on racism.
5. Stewardship and the Church’s theology of money.
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<Proposed amended resolution text showing exact changes being made:>
Can.III.6
Sec. 5. Preparation for Ordination
g. Preparation for ordination shall include training regarding
1. prevention of sexual misconduct against both children and adults.
2. civil requirements for reporting and pastoral opportunities for responding to evidence of abuse.
3. the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church, particularly Title IV thereof.
4. the Church's teaching on racism.
5. Stewardship and the Church’s theology of money.
And be it further
Resolved, that Canon III.8.5.h be amended to as follows:
Can.III.8
Sec. 5. Preparation for Ordination
h. Preparation for ordination shall include training regarding
1. prevention of sexual misconduct against both children and adults.
2. civil requirements for reporting and pastoral opportunities for responding to evidence of abuse.
3. the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church, particularly Title IV thereof, utilizing, but not limited to use of, the Title IV training website of The Episcopal Church.
4. the Church’s teaching on racism.
5. Stewardship and the Church’s theology of money.
And be it further
Resolved, that Canon III.10.1.c be amended to as follows:
Can.III.10
Sec. 1. Prior to reception or ordination, the following must be provided
c. evidence of training regarding
1. prevention of sexual misconduct.
2. civil requirements for reporting and pastoral opportunities for responding to evidence of abuse.
3. the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church, particularly Title IV thereof.
4. training regarding the Church’s teaching on racism.
5. Stewardship and the Church’s theology of money.
And be it further
Resolved, that such training shall be made available to all persons in this Church, both lay and ordained.
Explanation
Canon III.9.6.b.2 assigns rectors and priests-in-charge the duty of ensuring that all persons in their charge are instructed concerning Christian stewardship. The ministry of deacons often involves the allocation of resources, a responsibility which should be informed by a Christian theology of money. Clergy of this Church, whether deacon or priest, often lack an understanding of stewardship and the theology of money which would enable them to fulfill their duties of stewardship education and the responsible use of God’s gifts. In other words, we make clergy responsible for stewardship education but give them no tools with which to do it. This resolution would address this problem by requiring formation for all candidates for ordained ministry in the theology of money and stewardship. This training would be available to all members of this Church, much as anti-racism training is required for certain leadership roles yet may be taken by any Episcopalian.