Ecumenical and Interreligious Resolutions from the 80th General Convention
The 80th General Convention of The Episcopal Church met in Baltimore, Maryland from July 8-11, 2022. Ecumenical and Interreligious guests brought virtual greetings that are available online.
This is a dynamic list of resolutions with ecumenical and interreligious topics in alphanumeric order. Many other resolutions in the General Convention Virtual Binder also have significant related content.
A055 Receive and Study Proposal of Ecumenical Dialogue with Presbyterians (PCUSA)
“receives with gratitude the proposal Episcopal-Presbyterian Agreement on Local Sharing of Ministries, which was prepared and distributed by The Episcopal Church-Presbyterian Dialogue” in 2021.
A091 Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria-Episcopal Dialogue
“receives and commends Sharing the Gifts of Communion, available in the report to the 80th General Convention of the Task Force to Coordinate Ecumenical and Interreligious Work, as the basis for a relationship of full communion to be established between The Episcopal Church and the Evangelische Lutherische Kirche in Bayern (ELKB) (Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria).”
“That the 80th General Convention of The Episcopal Church accept the Memorandum of Mutual Recognition of Relations of Full Communion dated September 26, 2018 by and among The Episcopal Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Anglican Church of Canada and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada”
“Recognizes the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Anglican Church of Canada, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada have previously accepted the Memorandum through actions of their respective governing bodies.”
“That Canon I.20.1 be amended by adding a new subsection, as follows:
“(d) The Episcopal Church has a relationship of full communion with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Canada under the terms of the Memorandum of Mutual Recognition of Relations of Full Communion dated September 26, 2018 by and among The Episcopal Church, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the Anglican Church of Canada and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada, which was accepted by the 80th General Convention of The Episcopal Church as Resolution 2021-A092.”
A093 The Episcopal Church-United Methodist Church Dialogue
“Commends the current version of A Gift to the World, Co-Laborers for the Healing of Brokenness, which was prepared and distributed in 2018 by The Episcopal Church-United Methodist Dialogue.”
“Encourages all Episcopalians to utilize the many resources available to understand the substance of this dialogue and its goal of full communion. Resources can be found on the websites of The Episcopal Church (episcopalchurch.org), the Episcopal Diocesan Ecumenical and Interreligious Officers (edeio.org), and umc-tec.org, a website supporting full communion between the United Methodist Church and The Episcopal Church.”
“Expresses its particular, prayerful support for the LGBTQIA+ communities among both the lay and clergy members of the United Methodist Church.”
A094 Affirm Ongoing Work and Dialogue with Ecumenical Partners
“Joyfully affirms the continuation of the ecumenical dialogues in which The Episcopal Church is engaged: the Presbyterian Church (USA)-Episcopal Dialogue; the Anglican-Roman Catholic Dialogue (ARCUSA), and the work toward full communion with the United Methodist Church (UMC); the continuation of work of the dialogue with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria (Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche in Bayern) and commends the document Sharing the Gifts of Communion to the church for consideration.”
“Joyfully affirms the continued coordinating committee work with our full communion partners, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and the Moravian Church (Northern Province and Southern Province).”
“Joyfully affirms our representation and participation in national ecumenical bodies, including the National Council of Churches (NCC), Churches Uniting in Christ (CUIC) and Christian Churches Together (CCT).”
A137 Church of Sweden – Full Communion Relationship
“accepts the Memorandum of Understanding dated January 15, 2022 between The Episcopal Church and the Church of Sweden as the basis for a relationship of full communion between The Episcopal Church and the Church of Sweden;
“requests that the Most Rev. Michael B. Curry, Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, convey this action to the Archbishop of the Church of Sweden”
A142 Re-establishment of the Standing Commission on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations
“It shall be the duty of the Commission to:
“Coordinate and encourage the work of church unity among Christian partners and collaboration and peacebuilding with interfaith partners, conciliar, and interfaith organizations.
“Recommend policies and strategies to the General Convention for the affirmation and development of ecumenical and interreligious partnerships.
“Collaborate with ecumenical and interreligious partners, conciliar and interfaith bodies to develop tools which address issues of power, racial justice, colonialism, imperialism, and the historical racial bias in ecumenical endeavors.
“Support Diocesan and local engagement in interreligious and ecumenical ministry.
“Encourage theological work that recognizes the current and future ecumenical and religious landscape, contextual theologies and partnerships with conciliar bodies and others to address the Gospel issues of unity, justice, and peace, and to respond as requested to Conciliar, ecumenical or other interreligious documents.
“In collaboration with the churchwide Office on Ecumenical and Inter-religious relations, develop and recommend to the General Convention comprehensive and coordinated policies and guidelines for inter-religious relations and ecumenical dialogues and conversations.
“Recommend strategies and policies to General Convention for training and leadership development, with networks, diocesan ecumenical officers, faith-based bodies within and beyond the Episcopal Church.
“Study the needs and trends of the ecumenical and interreligious landscape, to support and encourage the development of resources for ecumenical and interreligious formation”
A183 Resolution in Thanksgiving for the 20th Anniversary of the Concordat of Agreement
“celebrates continued cooperation and shared ministries between the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and The Episcopal Church.”
Memorial 008 J. Robert Wright
“In the year of his death, the Task Force to Coordinate Ecumenical and Interfaith Work commends the life and work of J. Robert Wright and unanimously honors his contribution to The Episcopal Church and the Ecumenical Movement.”
Memorial 009 The Rev. Dr. William Andrew Norgren
“In the year of his death, the Task Force to Coordinate Ecumenical and Interfaith Work commends the life and work of William Norgren and unanimously honors his contribution to The Episcopal Church and the Ecumenical Movement.
Memorial 011 Task Force for the Coordination of Ecumenical and Interfaith Work
Interreligious Relations: Theology and Guidelines (2021)
Christian-Jewish Relations: Theological and Practical Guidance for The Episcopal Church (2021)
Christian-Muslim Relations: Theological and Practical Guidance for The Episcopal Church (2021)
“These documents are intended as guides for use throughout The Episcopal Church (TEC) by individuals, parishes, dioceses, provinces, and TEC. Whether this work has been happening for years or is a new endeavor, the documents share connections between faiths, ways to talk with one another. and issues to consider – as well as an overall understanding of why and how TEC engages with other religious traditions.”
Prepared by Richard Mammana for the Office of Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations, July 2022
