A094 Amend Canon III.4.1(b) for Clarity regarding Bishop Suffragan of the Armed Forces
Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring,
That Canon III.4.1(b) is hereby amended to read as follows:
(b) The Presiding Bishop or the Bishop Suffragan for the Armed Forces of the United States, Veterans’ Administration Medical Centers, and Federal Correctional Institutions may authorize a member of the Armed Forces to exercise one (1) or more of these ministries in the Armed Forces in accordance with the provisions of this Canon. Requirements and guidelines for the selection, training, continuing education and deployment of such persons shall be established by the Bishop granting the license.
Explanation
In 1988, General Convention amended Article II.7 of the Constitution on having a Suffragan Bishop under the direction of the Presiding Bishop to be in charge of Chaplains in the Armed Forces of the United States to also include Chaplains of the U.S. Veterans Administration Medical Centers and Federal Correctional Institutions. Prior to the amendment there was no title for this Bishop Suffragan in the Constitution. The Constitution does not give a title to that position. This amendment is to clarify the name of the Bishop Suffragan serving in this position and that this position oversees these Federal Ministries only in the United States.