Channel: Living Church
Author: Steve Waring

General Convention’s House of Deputies suspended rules of order permitting the Standing Commision on Prayer Book, Liturgy and Church Music to submit all resolutions for consideration as a single block during the final afternoon session July 17 in Anaheim, Calif. The special rule was proposed after discussion over a handful of resolutions had already been engaged.

The special rule permitted deputies to approve all additional personnel proposed for Holy Women, Holy Men, an optional compilation of additional commemorations to Lesser Feasts and Fasts. Prior to adoption of the special rule, deputies stumbled over the wording of Resolution A099 which authorized inclusion of “The Blessed Virgin Mary God-bearer, Care of God’s Creation, Goodness of God’s Creation, On the Occasion of a Disaster, On the Anniversary of a Disaster, Prophetic Witness in the Church, Prophetic Witness in Society, Reconciliation and Forgiveness, and Scientists and Environmentalists.”

Deputies questioned the Very Rev. Sam Candler of Atlanta, chair of the commission, as to why the bishops added so many references to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Deputy Candler was unable to offer much insight into the bishops’ decision. Eventually deputies voted in favor of the resolution despite concerns that there might be a typographical error.

Also approved separately from the block of resolutions was Resolution A178 which designates the first Sunday in Lent as Episcopal Relief and Development Sunday. Two other resolutions adopted were A100 which “direct[s] the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music and the Standing Commission for Constitution and Canons to organize a meeting of Liturgists and Canonists to consider and review the language and intent of Title II, Canon 3, Sec. 5, and to report their findings to the 77th General Convention”; and Resolution C078 which calls for development of a liturgy to address the loss of a companion animal.

Steve Waring reporting from General Convention in Anaheim.
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I wonder if the greater emphasis on the Blessed Virgin Mary is an attempt to forward ecumenical unity?  A Protestant attempt to undo some of the over-reactions we have had to some questionable practices of Roman Catholics, so as to pave the way to approach a common Mariology.  That certainly is why I have tried to put a greater emphasis on her in my preaching and teaching.  But then considering the other actions of General Convention, one wonders if they care at all about ecumenical (or any other kind of) unity.