75th General Convention of the Episcopal Church

Daily Reports

News and pictures from General Convention
and the Episcopal Church Women's Triennial

Standing Committee of the Diocese of Fort Worth adopts
resolution concerning the selection of Katharine Jefferts Schori
as 26th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church

The following resolution was adopted by the Standing Committee Sunday evening, June 18. It was read into the record of both Houses at the start of business this morning. Bishop Iker read the resolution in the House of Bishops, and Senior Deputy Judy Mayo read the resolution in the House of Deputies.

At a meeting convened on June 18, 2006, at 8:53 p.m. EDT

The meeting was opened by the Very Rev. Ryan Reed.

Moved by the Very Rev. Ryan Reed,
Seconded by the Very Rev. Christopher Cantrell

The Bishop and the Standing Committee of the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth appeal in good faith to the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Primates of the Anglican Communion and the Panel of Reference for immediate alternative Primatial oversight and Pastoral Care following the election of Katharine Jefferts Schori as Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church.
This action is taken as a cooperative member of the Anglican Communion Network in light of the Windsor Report and its recommendations.

Vote: Unanimous in favor

Neither house made any response. In the House of Deputies, Deputy Coyle of the Diocese of Central Florida rose to say that, despite differences of practice, his diocesan deputation wanted to express its support for the Diocese of Fort Worth.

News agencies and bloggers were eager to obtain copies of the resolution, and several blogs were overwhelmed by the traffic on their servers.

The following statement was issued this morning by the Mos Rev. Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury

ACNS 4157 | LAMBETH | 19 JUNE 2005
Archbishop of Canterbury - 'Prayers' for new Presiding Bishop

Monday 19th June 2006

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams has issued a statement on the election of the Rt Revd Katharine Jefferts Schori as the next Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church of the United States of America, in succession to the Most Revd Frank Griswold.

“I send my greetings to Bishop Katharine and she has my prayers and good wishes as she takes up a deeply demanding position at a critical time. She will bring many intellectual and pastoral gifts to her new work, and I am pleased to see the strength of her commitment to mission and to the Millennium Development Goals.

Her election will undoubtedly have an impact on the collegial life of the Anglican Primates; and it also brings into focus some continuing issues in several of our ecumenical dialogues.

We are continuing to pray for the General Convention of the Episcopal Church as it confronts a series of exceptionally difficult choices.”

Earlier today Dr Rowan Williams spoke to Bishop Schori by telephone to assure her of prayers as she prepares to take up her post.

Joint Session

The two houses are scheduled to meet in joint session this afternoon for 90 minutes to consider the proposed budget.