CURRENT TEXT
Resolution D050
Title: Pastoral Care and Delegated Episcopal Oversight
Topic: Pastoral Care
Committee: 26. Special Legislative Committee
House of Initial Action: Bishops
Proposer: Mr. David Grizzle (Texas)
Resolved,
the House of _____ concurring, That
the 75th General Convention of the Episcopal Church affirm the centrality of effective and appropriate pastoral care for all members of this church and all who come seeking the aid of this church; and be it further
Resolved,
That the 75th General Convention recognize the difficult position of those who do not feel able to receive appropriate pastoral care and oversight from the bishops within their diocese, and urge the members of the House of Bishops to seek the highest degree of communion and reconciliation within their own dioceses, using when necessary the Delegated Episcopal Pastoral Oversight (DEPO) process detailed in the March 2004 statement of the House of Bishops, “Caring for All the Churches;” and be it further
Resolved,
That
the 75th General Convention call attention to constitutional provisions relating to the proper maintenance of historic diocesan boundaries and the authority of Bishops Diocesan within such boundaries and insist that all bishops abide by such provisions.
EXPLANATION
This resolution is very similar to a resolution proposed by the Special Commission on the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion. It differs from the resolution proposed by the Special Commission in that it does not purport to limit to any particular group the need for effective and appropriate pastoral care. Such need is broad, and covers all of us, and feelings of estrangement from the care of our intended spiritual leaders can be experienced by persons of differing sexual orientations.