On Friday, November 13th [1992], there were comments about the agenda. Particularly on how items get sent to the House of Bishops from other committees. It was observed that the end result is often that the House becomes reactive rather than proactive with respect to its agenda. There was general agreement that the House of Bishops needs to let others know what it is, and what it does. The hope being that such information would avoid the tendency to make the House of Bishops a clearing house (for items sent from other groups and committees). It was suggested by one member that House items should be those which fall under the categories of faith, order or discipline. Also of concern, was the need for program specifically oriented to new bishops. ("New bishops" were defined as those who have been bishops for one to five years.)
Text
That this House ask the agenda committee to include a session for new bishops' training at the second half of the February 1993 House of Bishops meeting. CARRIED
"That in light of the Primates' Statement of October 16, 2003, we ask all parties involved in, or seeking, extra-territorial Episcopal oversight to stand down, and that legal proceedings against the bishop and clergy involved be stayed, for an initial period of three months to allow for the ministry of adequate alternative episcopal oversight to be put in place at the initiative of the Archbishop of Canterbury on behalf of the Primates."
Archbishop Hutchison gave notice that he and Archbishop Clarke had prepared a motion, which might be helpful for the conversation. Copies of it were distributed.
Moved by: Archbishop Clarke
Seconded by: Archbishop Hutchison
"That in response to the `Statement by the Primates of the Anglican Communion' (October 16, 2003) the Primate be asked to establish a task force of the House of Bishops
- to draw up terms and conditions for `adequate provision for Episcopal oversight of dissenting minorities' in the Anglican Church of Canada,
- to consult through the Primate `with the Archbishop of Canterbury on behalf of the Primates',
- and to report to the April 2004 meeting of the House of Bishops." (Note: see p. 24, when motion was put to a vote.)
Text
That the motion be considered in a committee of the whole. CARRIED #HB-03-10-02
Notes
The discussion (about Bishop Burton's and Bishop Bruce's proposed motion) continued. Copies of a motion prepared by Archbishop Hutchison and Archbishop Finlay were distributed.
Moved by: Archbishop Hutchison
Seconded by: Archbishop Finlay
"That this House, to enable the work of the Task Force on Episcopal Oversight for Dissenting Minorities,
1. Request that the Bishop of Yukon refrain from exercising episcopal ministry in the Diocese of New Westminster.
2. Request that the Metropolitan of British Columbia and Yukon stay disciplinary proceedings against the Bishop of Yukon.
3. Request that the Bishop of New Westminster seek a stay of disciplinary proceedings against the priests of his diocese
4. Commend the disaffected parishes to the ministry of Bishop William Hockin as Episcopal Visitor."
Moved by: Archbishop Crawley
Seconded by: Bishop Lawrence
"That the House of Bishops rise from the committee of the whole." CARRIED Res. #HB-03-10-03
"That this House of Bishops acknowledges with gratitude the establishment of the commission called for by the Primates in their statement of October 16, 2003, welcomes the announcement of the members appointed, and commits itself to uphold them prayerfully in the task they have accepted." CARRIED Res. #HB-03-10-08
"That this House, to enable the work of the Task Force on Episcopal Oversight for Dissenting Minorities,
1. Request that the Bishop of Yukon refrain from exercising Episcopal ministry in the Diocese of New Westminster;
2. Request that the Metropolitan of British Columbia and Yukon stay proceedings against the Bishop of Yukon;
3. Request that the Bishop of New Westminster seek a stay of proceedings against the priests of his diocese against whom such proceedings have been initiated;
4. Request that a mediator be appointed by the Task Force to negotiate an interim role for the person exercising Episcopal oversight mutually acceptable to the diocesan Bishop and the dissenting parishes." CARRIED Res. #HB-03-10-10
Notes
Archbishop Clarke requested that copies of the original version of Archbishop Hutchison's and Archbishop Finlay's motion, as well as the version which the House had carried be appended to the minutes ([Appendix] i). He also asked that the Agenda Committee give some consideration to a different model for the House of Bishops' meetings when there was an issue of particular importance to be dealt with. He commented that often when discussing an important matter, the bishops were rushed at meetings because the item was either not given adequate time on the agenda or was scheduled too late during the meeting. Bishop Morgan responded saying that the Agenda Committee would be happy to consider Archbishop Clarke's recommendation.
Bishop Wallace requested that the full motion (moved by Archbishop Hutchison and seconded by Archbishop Finlay) be faxed to the members of the House of Bishops.
Appendix i
Archbishop Clarke requested that both versions of a motion put before the House of Bishops by Archbishop Hutchison and Archbishop Finlay be appended to the minutes.
Motion as it was proposed initially:
Moved by: Archbishop Hutchison
Seconded by: Archbishop Finlay
"That this House, to enable the work of the Task Force on Episcopal Oversight for Dissenting Minorities,
1. Request that the Bishop of Yukon refrain from exercising episcopal ministry in the Diocese of New Westminster.
2. Request that the Metropolitan of British Columbia and Yukon stay disciplinary proceedings against the Bishop of Yukon.
3. Request that the Bishop of New Westminster seek a stay of disciplinary proceedings against the priests of his diocese
4. Commend the disaffected parishes to the ministry of Bishop William Hockin as Episcopal Visitor."
Motion which was put to a vote and carried:
Moved by: Archbishop Hutchison
1. Request that the Bishop of Yukon refrain from exercising Episcopal ministry in the Diocese of New Westminster;
2. Request that the Metropolitan of British Columbia and Yukon stay proceedings against the Bishop of Yukon;
3. Request that the Bishop of New Westminster seek a stay of proceedings against the priests of his diocese against whom such proceedings have been initiated;
4. Request that a mediator be appointed by the Task Force to negotiate an interim role for the person exercising Episcopal oversight mutually acceptable to the diocesan Bishop and the dissenting parishes." CARRIED Res. #HB-03-10-10
Archbishop Morgan as chair of the Agenda Committee, announced that an invitation had been received from Dr. Deller on behalf of the College of Emmanuel and St. Chad asking the House of Bishops to meet in Saskatoon during the fall of 2004. The college will be celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2004. He added that the Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre (the retreat centre where the House of Bishops' meetings are generally held), was unavailable (in the fall of 2004).
Text
That cost permitting, the House of Bishops accept the invitation from Dr. Walter Deller on behalf of the College of Emmanuel & St. Chad. CARRIED Res. #HB-03-04-05
Notes
Bishop Phillips extended an invitation to the House to meet in the Diocese of Rupert's Land if the invitation from the college of Emmanuel and St. Chad did not work out for some reason.
We request that Bishop Hockin be present for all or part of the House of Bishops meetings in October 2003 and the spring of 2004 and that his expenses be included in the budget of the House of Bishops. CARRIED Res. #HB-03-04-07
The House of Bishops' nomination committee reported that the nominees for the House of Bishops' Standing Committee on Religious Orders were: Bishop Tottenham, Bishop Matthews, and Bishop Bedford-Jones.
Bishop Matthews was elected the episcopal representative to the House of Bishops' Standing Committee on Religious Orders.
Text
That the ballots be destroyed. CARRIED #HB-03-04-02
That the House move into an in camera session. CARRIED
Notes
Moved by: Bishop Crawley
Seconded by: Bishop Cruickshank
That, in addition to the members, the following persons may be invited, with the consent of the members, to be present at in camera sessions of the House of Bishops:
1. as recording secretary, the Executive Assistant to the Primate; and
2. the Principal Secretary to the Primate. CARRIED
Moved by Bishop Hannen
Seconded by Bishop O'Driscoll
That the above resolution become part of the regular minutes of the House. CARRIED
Moved by: Bishop Finlay
Seconded by: Bishop Ferris
That the House move out of an in camera session. CARRIED
Monday morning Archdeacon Boyles introduced Mr. Sam Galati as the General Synod's Communications Consultant. Mr. Galati was hired on a six months contract since the last meeting of the House. (His contract comes to an end in December 2002.)
Text
That the House move in camera, with the inclusion of the others mentioned for the previous in camera session, and with the addition of Mr. Sam Galati, Communications Consultant. CARRIED #HB-02-10-06
The House welcomed the Reverend Brian Prideaux, National Ecumenical Officer.
Mr. Prideaux said that the Anglican Church of Canada and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada are now called to develop a common Christian life in the light of their agreement to establish a relationship of Interim Sharing of the Eucharist which became effective 1 October, 1989. This includes eucharistic hospitality to the members of each church. Joint celebrations of the Eucharist are to take place under carefully worked out conditions, with the knowledge and consent of the respective diocesan bishops. There is one president and that president is the priest or pastor of the host church, using the liturgy of that church. Other ordained persons assist with the service and the distribution of the elements.
Ways of developing common Christian life are being explored such as regular prayer and intercession for the other church. Local study groups will be encouraged to examine each other's church.
It is hoped that pastoral agreements will be developed to allow ministers of each denomination to serve in churches of either denomination in sparsely populated areas of Canada, along with ecumenical shared ministries, and the shared use of physical facilities. Common programs of education and outreach are to be encouraged. It is hoped that there will be reciprocal attendance at services of ordination and installation. The exchange of theologians to deliver addresses at major events is to be encouraged. Co-operation is encouraged in areas of social ministry. Mr. Prideaux said that a detailed commentary of the agreement is available through his office, on request.
It was agreed that practical recommendations regarding the eucharist should be made clear in the large commentary.
Text
That work be done locally and jointly on procedures re joint services. CARRIED
Notes
It was agreed that the development of common understandings is very important, especially in the area of shared ministries.
It was suggested that diocesan newspapers be sent to each Lutheran clergyperson in each area.