It was noted that the 1988 Canadian Churchman calendar provides only the Lectionary for the Book of Alternative Services throughout the monthly entries, with the Book of Common Prayer schedule listed at the back of the calendar. It was recognized that both the Book of Alternative Services and the Book of Common Prayer are official books of the Anglican Church of Canada.
Bishop Berry explained that the hearings held at the General Synod of 1986 influenced the decision to publish the 1988 calendar as it is, but the matter would be studied in the light of the reaction to the 1988 calendar, prior to the publication of the 1989 calendar.
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That this House, while fully supporting the Doctrine and Worship Committee's desire for the new lectionary and calendar designations (as approved by General Synod) to be included on the Canadian Churchman calendar, deeply regrets the decision not to include the Book of Common Prayer designations as well. CARRIED
Copies of the Pastoral Letter of November 1984 were distributed.
There was general discussion of the Pastoral and suggestions for changes were made.
Moved by: Archbishop Bothwell
Seconded by: Bishop Lawrence
That the Pastoral dated November 1984 be referred to a committee appointed by the Primate for revision and that the revised document be placed before the House later on the agenda. CARRIED
The Primate asked Bishops Hollis, Curtis, Baycroft and Berry to be the ad hoc committee.
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That this House ask the editorial committee to compose a suggested covering letter to be signed by the Primate to go to all the parishes referring to our Statement [on Capital Punishment] and referring to study resources which will be made available through the National Office.
That the letter signed by the Primate on behalf of the House of Bishops should be read in all the parishes on the fifth Sunday in Lent, or on a date specifically designated by the Diocesan Bishop. CARRIED
Bishop Lackey informed the House of the request from the Public Social Responsibility Unit which is to go to the Program Committee, that Sunday, 5th June be designated as the day for an Environmental Sabbath. This request came to the Church from the United Nations.
Resolution #9-2-88
Moved by: Bishop Lackey
Seconded by: Bishop Goodings
That this House of Bishops support the United Nations Environment program initiatives to proclaim an Environmental Sabbath, and supports the Public Social Responsibility Unit's request to the National Program Committee to declare 5 June, as the date for this in 1988.
Resolution #10-2-88
Moved by: Bishop A. Read
Seconded by: Bishop W. Jones
That this motion be tabled until Friday morning. CARRIED
Resolution #11-2-88
Moved by: Archbishop Bothwell
Seconded by: Bishop Lackey
That this motion be lifted from the table. CARRIED
Archbishop Bothwell made a presentation regarding environmental issues and the following resolution emerged from the discussion of the Environment Sabbath and other environmental concerns.
Resolution #12-2-88
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That this House of Bishops requests the Lambeth Conference to endorse a period of several weeks annually (perhaps during Pentecost) to teach and pray throughout the Anglican Communion for Christian concern about God's creation (i.e. environmental issues).
And further,
That our representatives in the Lambeth Social Order Section be responsible to carry this request to the Lambeth Conference 1988. CARRIED
That this House move to In Camera Session. CARRIED #7-6-86
Note: While discussion of the Resolution was In Camera, it was agreed that the Resolution, having been approved, should be included in the regular Minutes of the House.
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That this House of Bishops:
1. Notes with gratitude the many signs of God's blessing on the ministry of women priests which affirm our belief that our Church was led by the Spirit of God in its decision to proceed with the ordination of women.
2. Affirms its recognition that there is no theological or canonical impediment to the consecration of women as Bishops within our Church, but counsels our Church to move with special sensitivity in this matter especially until Lambeth 1988.
3. In recognizing that the episcopate is a sign of unity, notes the importance of Lambeth discussions on the consecration of women as bishops within our Communion both so that the unity of our Communion may be maintained and so that fullness of God's gifts in men and women may be received within the episcopate to the creation of a deeper unity and a more effective witness in the carrying out of our mission.
4. Urges the need for the development of a clear articulation of the theological rationale for our understanding of episcopacy as a contribution to our dialogue with other Churches.
The Motion was put and CARRIED. #8-6-86
Notes
Resolution #9-6-86
Moved by: Bishop Brown
Seconded by: Bishop Jones
That this Motion be presented to the General Synod as part of the report from the House of Bishops. CARRIED #9-6-86
(Reference - motion #37 of the October, 1989 meeting of the National Executive Council which was distributed to all the bishops in a mailing.)
The question was asked "Does the House consider the process of evaluation acceptable and, if not, what alterations should be made?"
The Primate read a letter from the president of the Prayer Book Society of Canada which expressed concern regarding the process for nominating the Evaluation Commission.
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That this House approve the process of selection for the Book of Alternative Services Evaluation Commission, as recommended by National Executive Council, affirming the importance that special care must be taken to make sure that the Commission includes people who represent many divergent points of view about the style, context and theology of the Book of Alternative Services. CARRIED
Notes
The Nominating Committee of the House was requested to propose three names for membership on the Commission and report those names to the House before the end of this meeting.
That this House of Bishops, out of concern for the more vulnerable members of society, affirm the principle of progressive taxation, whereby those with greater wealth pay a higher proportionate amount of taxes than those with lesser means, and oppose the principle of regressive taxation, whereby those of lesser means are required to pay the same percentage tax as the wealthiest income earners, and that the Economic Justice staff of the Public Social Responsibility Unit be asked to prepare a position paper for this House of Bishops on the Goods and Services Tax for consideration at its next meeting. CARRIED
That this House accept, with appreciation, the invitation to join in the celebrations which are being planned to mark the 125th anniversary of Huron College in February, 1988.
The Agenda Committee of the House is requested to consult with Bishop Jones regarding the date of the event, bearing in mind that this evening is not to be the free evening. CARRIED
Notes
Correction "Resolution 7-10-87 should read `125th anniversary of Huron College' [not 100th] to be found in Resolution 16-2-88 "House of Bishops - Minutes of the Meeting of the House of Bishops of October, 1987 - Amendments" in HB Minutes of February 1988.
A memorandum prepared by Archdeacon Hilchey was studied and discussed.
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That the Guidelines regarding In Camera sessions of the meetings of the House of Bishops be approved.
Notes
The approved Guidelines are as follows:
1. By decision of the House in February 1977, the Agenda Committee will include an In Camera session at each meeting of the House.
2. In Camera sessions provide an opportunity for members of the House to seek advice from one another about pastoral and administrative matters.
3. In Camera sessions also provide an opportunity for consideration of sensitive issues about which the members of the House wish to take counsel together.
4. The Secretary will exercise discretion in recording comments made during such discussions. Any actions taken in relation to these matters, whether by motion or by consensus will be recorded in the same way as are those in open session.
5. At the end of each In Camera session, the House will decide what measure of confidentiality it wishes to apply to each of the decisions reached and actions taken. The Secretary will record those decisions.
6. The General Secretary and the recording secretaries are entitled to be present during In Camera sessions, unless the House wishes otherwise.
7. Should a bishop be in doubt about the degree of confidentiality which belongs to any matter to which reference is made in In Camera sessions, it is recommended that he consult the Primate.