D083 Amend Canon III.10.2
As recognized by the Report to this General Convention by the Standing Commission on Structure, Governance, Constitution & Canons (Blue Book p. 458), Canon II.10 does not currently address "a process of reception for bishops into The Episcopal Church". This proposal supplies a process for receiving bishops in the limited case of a Diocese of the Anglican Communion becoming received into union with the General Convention as a Diocese of The Episcopal Church. Having such a process was prompted by the request of the Extra-Provincial Anglican Communion Diocese of La Iglesia Episcopal de Cuba to be reunited with The Episcopal Church. If the Diocese of Cuba becomes a TEC Diocese, the question arises as to how to deal with its existing Bishop, or the Bishop or Bishops of any future Anglican Communion Diocese that may enter The Episcopal Church. All Dioceses of the Anglican Communion are already in full communion with TEC, which means that we recognize each others' orders. Consequently, receiving clergy from such Dioceses should be a simpler process that it would be with churches not in full communion. The General Convention in 2003 admitted Dioceses of Puerto Rico and of Venezuela. Each was then an Extra-Provincial Diocese of the Anglican Communion, although Puerto Rico had previously been a TEC Missionary District. The 2003 Convention admitted Puerto Rico effective upon approval by both Houses of the admitting resolution; Venezuela's admission was by resolution effective only after certification to Executive Council of completion of certain requirements. In both cases, the existing Bishops were deemed admitted as Bishops of The Episcopal Church along with their Dioceses' admissions. In 2003, along with the House of Bishops, the House of Deputies had the power to consent to episcopal elections; today that power of consent has been transferred to the Standing Committees of TEC Dioceses. Consequently, it is appropriate that an approval of reception of a fellow Bishop of the Anglican Communion include a process for soliciting the consent of such Standing Committees. When an existing Anglican Communion Bishop's Diocese is brought into The Episcopal Church, it should not be necessary to require him or her to undergo a further election process. Such Bishops have already been duly elected or appointed under the provisions of their Dioceses. The present proposal incorporates the procedures of existing Canon III.11, modifying them to provide for consent to reception rather than consent to ordination. It also incorporates the provisions of Canon III.12.1 for a formation process for such Bishops in their new home in The Episcopal Church.
Explanation
As recognized by the Report to this General Convention by the Standing Commission on Structure, Governance, Constitution & Canons (Blue Book p. 458), Canon II.10 does not currently address "a process of reception for bishops into The Episcopal Church". This proposal supplies a process for receiving bishops in the limited case of a Diocese of the Anglican Communion becoming received into union with the General Convention as a Diocese of The Episcopal Church. Having such a process was prompted by the request of the Extra-Provincial Anglican Communion Diocese of La Iglesia Episcopal de Cuba to be reunited with The Episcopal Church. If the Diocese of Cuba becomes a TEC Diocese, the question arises as to how to deal with its existing Bishop, or the Bishop or Bishops of any future Anglican Communion Diocese that may enter The Episcopal Church. All Dioceses of the Anglican Communion are already in full communion with TEC, which means that we recognize each others' orders. Consequently, receiving clergy from such Dioceses should be a simpler process that it would be with churches not in full communion. The General Convention in 2003 admitted Dioceses of Puerto Rico and of Venezuela. Each was then an Extra-Provincial Diocese of the Anglican Communion, although Puerto Rico had previously been a TEC Missionary District. The 2003 Convention admitted Puerto Rico effective upon approval by both Houses of the admitting resolution; Venezuela's admission was by resolution effective only after certification to Executive Council of completion of certain requirements. In both cases, the existing Bishops were deemed admitted as Bishops of The Episcopal Church along with their Dioceses' admissions. In 2003, along with the House of Bishops, the House of Deputies had the power to consent to episcopal elections; today that power of consent has been transferred to the Standing Committees of TEC Dioceses. Consequently, it is appropriate that an approval of reception of a fellow Bishop of the Anglican Communion include a process for soliciting the consent of such Standing Committees. When an existing Anglican Communion Bishop's Diocese is brought into The Episcopal Church, it should not be necessary to require him or her to undergo a further election process. Such Bishops have already been duly elected or appointed under the provisions of their Dioceses. The present proposal incorporates the procedures of existing Canon III.11, modifying them to provide for consent to reception rather than consent to ordination. It also incorporates the provisions of Canon III.12.1 for a formation process for such Bishops in their new home in The Episcopal Church.