24th Diocesan Convention“Continue in the Apostles’ Teaching and Fellowship”
Friday and Saturday, Nov. 17 & 18, 2006
at St. Peter & St. Paul Episcopal Church, Arlington
18 November 2006
Election Results
Resolution 1: The Appeal for Alternate Primatial Oversight • adopted
Clerical order: 51 for (80%) • 12 against • 2 not voting
Lay order: 102 for (82%) • 21 against • 1 abstention
Be it resolved this 24th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth endorses and affirms the appeal made to the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Primates of the Anglican Communion by the Standing Committee and Bishop of our diocese for Alternative Primatial Oversight and pastoral care.
Resolution 2: Withdrawing Consent for Membership in Province VII • adopted
Clerical order: 51 for (80%) • 12 against • 2 not voting
Lay order: 98 for (79%) • 25 against • 3 abstentions
Be it resolved this 24th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth endorses, affirms and ratifies the decision of the Standing Committee of this diocese on July 24, 2006, to withdraw its consent, pursuant to Article VII of the Constitution of the General Convention of the Episcopal Church, to be included in the Seventh Province of the Episcopal Church.
Resolution 3: Acknowledging the Minority • substitute resolutions adopted
The resolution, as submitted, was ruled out of order by the Resolutions Committee, which introduced two substitutes. At the Bishop's request, substitute resolution 3B was voted on first.
It was adopted unanimously by voice vote
Be it resolved that this 24th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth recognizes that a minority of Episcopalians in this diocese do not agree with the decisions made by the canonical authorities of the diocese (that is, the Bishop, Standing Committee, Diocesan Convention, and Executive Council), and that they remain valued members of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth.
Substitute resolution 3A went to a simple ballot (not by orders) after the chair was unable to determine either by voice vote or by standing vote which side had prevailed.
The result was 106 for • 72 against • 11 abstentions
The text is below; boldface type indicates words added by amendment from the floor.
Be it resolved that this 24th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth establish the following procedure for a parish o withdraw its membership from the Anglican Communion Network of Dioceses and Parishes: Withdrawl may be effected by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the vestry, followed by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the qualified voting members (as proscribed in Canon 26, Section 2 of the diocesan Canons) of a parish at either an Annual Meeting of the parish or a special meeting of the parish as defined in Canon 26, Section 3. Due notice of such a meeting shall be in accordance with Canon 26, Sections 1 and 3.
Resolution 4: Listening Process • substitute resolution adopted
It was passed by voice vote
Resolution 4 as submitted was ruled out of order by the Resolutions Committee, which introduced the following substitute.
Be it resolved that this 24th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth affirms and endorses Resolution 1:10, Lambeth 1998, affirmed by the Primates Meetings 2003, 2005 and further affirmed by the Windsor Report, in its entirety and recognizes it to be the official teaching of the Anglican Communion on Human Sexuality.
Article 12: Deputies to General Convention • adopted by voice vote
The Annual Convention in the second year preceding a stated meeting of General Convention shall elect by ballot two (2) Priests or Deacons and two (2) Lay Persons as Deputies to General Convention. The Annual Convention in the year preceding a stated meeting of General Convention shall elect by ballot two (2) Priests or Deacons and two (2) Lay Persons as Alternate Deputies. Deputies and Alternate Deputies shall take office on the first day of January in the year in which the General Convention is to be held and shall hold office until their successors take office. They shall possess the same qualifications as members of The Standing Committee and shall be elected by a concurrent majority of both orders.
The Bishop shall assign the Alternate Deputies according to the order of their election to fill any vacancy in the deputation. In case there be no Bishop or he is unable to act, this power shall be exercised by The Standing Committee.
Article 13: See City and Cathedral • adopted unanimously by voice vote
The City of Fort Worth is hereby declared to be the See City of this Diocese.
The Bishop and a Parish may agree to the designation of that Parish as The Cathedral under such terms as both approve.
Canon 29: Business Methods • adopted unanimously by voice vote
29.1 e. All Parishes, Missions, Diocesan Schools and institutions shall maintain insurance protection for personnel, property and liability according to the minimum standards currently in effect by the Diocesan Risk Management Committee. All Parishes, Missions, Diocesan Schools and institutions shall make their records of insurance and total insured values available from time to time for inspection and audit by an appointee of the Diocesan Risk Management Committee.
Canon 43: Holy Matrimony • adopted by voice vote
Section 43.1 As used in this Diocese, the terms “Holy Matrimony” and “Marriage” defined as the exclusive physical and spiritual union of one man and one woman, by mutual consent of the heart, mind and will, and with the intent that it be lifelong.
Section 43.2 The blessing of same sex unions is prohibited in churches, missions and congregations of this Diocese; and clergy resident or licensed in this Diocese are prohibited from performing such blessings in any venue.
Clerical member of Standing Committee • Fr. Thomas Hightower
Lay member of Standing Committee • Walter Virden III
Lay member of the University of the South Board of Trustees • Walter Virden IV
Clerical member of the Ecclesiastical Trial Court • Fr. Richard McHenry
Lay member of the Ecclesiastical Trial Court • Thom Murrell
