A172 Amend Canon I.2.3
Resolved, the House of ________________ concurring,
That Canon I.2.3 is hereby amended to read as follows:
Sec. 3 (a) Upon the expiration of the term of office of the Presiding Bishop, if the former Presiding Bishop has not attained the age necessary for full retirement as determined by the Church Pension Fund, he or she shall nonetheless be eligible for full retirement. The the Bishop who is elected successor shall tender to the House of Bishops a resignation from the Bishop’s previous jurisdiction to take effect upon the date of assuming the office of Presiding Bishop, or, upon good cause with the advice and consent of the Advisory Committee established under the Rules of Order of the House of Bishops, not later than six months thereafter
Explanation
After serving a term as Presiding Bishop, the individual needs time to re-cast his/her ministry. Serving in this role is taxing on one’s health and spiritual life. Discerning one’s next steps in ministry takes time which is not afforded the incumbent. Additionally, it is difficult for a person who has been in the Presiding Bishop role to find a local jurisdiction or ministry that can provide adequate income, should the individual be several years away from receiving a pension. Offering full retirement benefits to the outgoing Presiding Bishop can provide necessary income is a compassionate response to years of faithful leadership and service.