"I think the Episcopalian Church is very strong and we have many more thing s in common than we have differences," delegate John Lansche of Charlotte said of Friday's actions. "To me, this says the delegates are behind the bishop."

The Diocese of North Carolina is one of three Episcopal dioceses in the state and includes most of the state's largest congregations, in Charlotte, the Piedmont Triad and the Triangle.

Of the 18 resolutions before the 188th annual convention, at least 11 dealt with issues raised in the wake of Robinson's election.

One resolution asked that churches not be penalized for limiting their giving to the diocese. Another sought a change in canon law that would make congregations the sole owners of their church buildings.

If a congregation leaves the denomination over theological differences, its property now reverts to the diocese.

Several resolutions were defeated in committee before the entire convention could vote on them.

Bishop Michael Curry did not ignore the crisis in an address to the convention Thursday night.

"This summer ... some of the very real differences among us have emerged starkly," he said.

"Specifically with regard to concerns and perspectives on homosexuality and the Christian faith, we are committed to this being a diocese in which honestly held faith positions will be honored and respected."

He also issued a warning.

"Efforts at division and destruction of the established order of this diocese are quite another thing," Curry said. "Such divisive efforts are not acceptable and will not be tolerated in this diocese."

The Rev. Don Goodheart of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Winston-Salem attended last year's General Convention as a delegate and said he voted against the affirmation of Robinson.

Still, he said the authors of the resolutions were wrong to ask Curry to rescind his vote.

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RESOLUTIONS

http://www.episdionc.org/contact/convention/2004resolutions.html

Resolution No. 5: On Repudiation of the Actions of General Convention RESOLVED: That this 188th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina holds that the 74th General Convention of the Episcopal Church exceeded its authority in confirming the election, as bishop, of a non-celibate unmarried man and in recognizing and permitting the blessing of the same-sex unions as part of our common life, thereby rejecting the solemn responsibility to uphold and to teach the catholic Faith and Order as set forth in the Holy Scriptures and in the Book of Common Prayer; and be it further

RESOLVED: That this 188th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina repudiates these actions of General Convention and the subsequent consecration of the Very Rev. Dr. V. Gene Robinson to the episcopate of this Church as a threat to the catholicity of the Episcopal Church and of this Diocese, a rejection of the evangelical truth of the Holy Scriptures, and a cause of disarray in the apostolic order of the Anglican Communion; and be it further

RESOLVED: That this 188th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina calls on our bishop, the Rt. Rev. Michael Curry and on our bishop suffragan, the Rt. Rev. Gary Gloster, to renounce their votes in favor of these actions and to join this Convention in repudiation of the same.

RESOLVED: These actions of the 74th General Convention of the Episcopal Church and the consecration of Dr. Gene Robinson to the episcopate, have created a crisis within the Episcopal Church as members of the Church have left; as several dioceses, including the Dioceses of South Carolina, Albany, and Pittsburgh, have repudiated the actions of General Convention; as bishops of the Church both in the province of the Anglican Communion and in provinces around the Communion have declared that they will not recognize the Episcopal ministry of Dr. Robinson nor will they permit the ministries of those bishops who consecrated him in their canonical charges; and as several provinces of the Anglican Communion, including the Church in Southeast Asia, the Church of Nigeria, an d the Church of Uganda, have declared themselves out of the communion with the Episcopal Church.

The consecration of Dr. Robinson to the episcopate has also elicited strong responses from several ecumenical partner, including a postponement of discussions with the Oriental Orthodox Churches, an ending of conversation with the Patriarchate of Moscow and of cooperation in social ministries with the Russian Orthodox churches in this country, and a freezing of further high-level ecumenical discussion with the Holy See (of Rome) and the concluding meeting of this current round of discussion of the Anglican-Roman Catholic International Committee(ARCIC). The last has led to the resignation in late November of the Most Rev. Frank Griswold, our Presiding Bishop, from the co-chairmanship of ARCIC .

The provinces of the Anglican Communion which have declared the Episcopal Church to be out of communion with them, or in a state of impaired communion with them, and those bishops and dioceses who have declared they cannot recognize the episcopal ministry of Dr. Robinson, have also made it clear that they will continue to support those dioceses of the Episcopal Church that continue to uphold catholic faith and moral teaching and practice, who do not allow the blessing of the same-sex unions and who do not recognize Dr. Robinson episcopal ministry.

The Patriarchate of Moscow has stated the same. John I. Wood (and others) Delegate, Christ Church, Raleigh Resolution No. 6: On Affirmation of Constitutional Mandates to Remain in the Anglican Communion and to Propagate the Historic Faith and Order.

RESOLVED: That this 188th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina affirms the Preamble to the Constitution of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, which provides as follows: E2809CThe Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States of America, otherwise known as the Episcopal Church (which name is hereby recognized as also designating the Church), is a constituent member of the Anglican Communion, a Fellowship within the One, Holy Catholic, and Apostolic Church, of those duly constituted with the See of Canterbury, upholding and propagating the historic Faith and Order as set forth in a Book of Common Prayer. The Constitution adapted in General Convention in Philadelphia in October, 1789, as amended in subsequent General Conventions, sets forth the basic Articles for the government of this Church, and of its overseas missionary jurisdictions.

RESOLVED: As a result of actions of the General Convention, the Diocesan Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, and the consecration of Canon V. Gene Robinson as the Bishop Coadjutor of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire, numerous Provinces of the Anglican Communion have now declared themselves out of communion or in impaired communion with the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina or the Episcopal Church and thus the E2809Cfellowship within the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church, of those duly constituted Dioceses, Provinces, and regional churches in communion with the See of CanterburyE2 809D has been impaired or broken and the Episcopal Church and this Diocese has thereby exceeded its authority under, and departed from, the Constitution of the Episcopal Church.

RESOLVED: The 1998 Lambeth Conference I.10 was reaffirmed by the Primates of the Anglican Communion, including the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church; and this 188th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina affirms said Lambeth Resolution and the Statements of the Primates of the Anglican Communion from May and October, 2003.

RESOLVED: This 188th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina declares that as a result of actions of the General Convention, the Diocesan Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, and the consecration of Canon V. Gene Robinson as the Bishop Coadjutor of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire, the Diocese and the Episcopal Church have not upheld and propagated E2809Cthe historic Faith and Order as set forth in the Book of Common Prayer and the Episcopal Church and the Diocese have thereby exceeded their authority under, and departed from the Constitution of the Episcopal Church.

RESOLVED: That this 188th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina affirms its desire to remain part of the Anglican Communion, as Fellowship within the One, Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church, of those duly constituted Dioceses, Provinces and regional Churches in communion with the See of Canterbury.

RESOLVED: That this 188th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina affirms its desire to uphold and propagate the historic Faith and Order as set forth in the Book of Common Prayer. RESOLVED: That this 188th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina directs the office of the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina to forward a copy of this Resolution to every parish, mission, and congregation within the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina.

COMMENT: The recent General Convention, the consecration of the Reverend Canon V. Gene Robinson as Bishop Coadjutor of New Hampshire, and participation of the Presiding Bishop of this Church as well as other Bishop of this church in such congregations have brought public ridicule to our Church and rebuke from the greater Anglican Communion and the Christian Church Catholic. Many members of this church object to the unconstitutional actions of the General Convention, Canon V. Gene Robinson, the Diocese of New Hampshire, and those Bishops of this Church approving or participating in the consecration of Canon V. Gene Robinson as Bishop Coadjutor of the Diocese of New Hampshire. Some members, therefore, have become discouraged, and others have left the Episcopal Church. As of December 10, 2003, numerous Provinces of the Anglican Communion totaling approximately 50 million members of the Anglican Communion have declared themselves to be out of communion or in impaired communion, with the Episcopal Church USA or certain dioceses within the Episcopal Church USA, including the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina. A crisis exists in the Anglican Communion. Many members of this Church seek reassurance that the Diocese will remain a constituent part of the Anglican Communion and in fellowship with the One Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. Furthermore, they desire to be in communion with other diocese, provinces, and regional churches in communion with the See of Canterbury and propagate the historic Faith and Order as set forth in the Book of Common Prayer.

This resolution affirms the preamble to the Constitution of the Episcopal Church and affirms that any actions by the Episcopal Church USA or this Diocese causing the Episcopal Church to be out of fellowship with the One Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church and those duly constituted dioceses, province s, and regional churches in communion with See of Canterbury to be in violation of the Constitution of the Episcopal Church USA. Furthermore, any actions of the Episcopal Church USA or this Diocese in failing to uphold and propagate the historic Faith and Order as set forth in the Book of Common Prayer is a violation of the Constitution of the Episcopal Church USA. John I. Wood (and others) Delegate, Christ Church, Raleigh Resolution No. 7: On Alternative Episcopal Oversight

RESOLVED: That the Diocese of North Carolina and its Bishops shall permit each parish or mission in the Diocese, upon a majority vote of the members o f such parish or mission, to decide whether or not to obtain alternative Episcopal oversight consistent with the Primates Statement of October 2003, and that the Bishops of this Diocese shall do nothing to obstruct, hinder, or interfere with those parishes or missions seeking such alternative Episcopal oversight.

COMMENT: Each parish or mission in this Diocese is to decide whether or not it will obtain alternative Episcopal oversight consistent with the Primates E28099 Statement upon a majority vote of the members of such parish or mission. John I. Wood (and others) Delegate, Christ Church, Raleigh Resolution No. 8: On Proposed Resolution of Support for Clergy and Laity who oppose the Actions of the 74th General Convention of the Episcopal Church

RESOLVED: That this Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina recognizes within our diocese the extreme paucity of beliefs regarding the recent actions of the General Convention of the Episcopal Church of the United States. We call on our bishops to extend the fullest support to our clergy w ho represent the primary ministry to those many people within the diocese who cannot in good conscience support the action of General Convention. Without such support this diocese is in danger of losing both clergy and laity.

RESOLVED: That this Convention places the utmost priority on the unity of this diocese and we call on our bishops to raise up candidates for Holy Orders and to approve the calling of priests and deacons to serve the faithful of t his diocese who cannot in good conscience support the action of General Convention. John I. Wood (and others) Delegate, Christ Church, Raleigh Resolution No. 9: On Actions of the Presiding Bishop

RESOLVED: That this 188th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina expresses profound disappointment with the actions of the Presiding
Bishop of the Episcopal Church of the United States in his actions to support the confirmation of the bishop-elect of New Hampshire and in the subsequent consecration of the Rev. Gene Robinson as Bishop of the Diocese of New Hampshire in contempt to his own vows to guard the faith, unity, and discipline of the church. John I. Wood (and others) Delegate, Christ Church, Raleigh Resolution No. 10: On Authority of Primates of the Anglican Communion.

RESOLVED: That the Bishops of the Diocese of North Carolina shall submit to the Primates of the Anglican Communion and any conflicts between the actions of this Diocese or its Bishops and Primates Statements shall be resolved in favor of the Primates Statements.

COMMENT: The recent statements of the Bishop of North Carolina indicate that he feels that he is not bound by the Statements made by the Primates of the Anglican Communion and that said Primates have no authority in this Diocese or within the Episcopal Church USA. The purposed of this resolution is to clarify the authority of the Primates. John I. Wood (and others) Delegate, Christ Church, Raleigh Resolution No. 11: On Doctrine: Endorse Certain Historic Anglican Doctrines and Policies

RESOLVED: That the 188th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina affirms that Holy Scripture containeth all things necessary for salvation: so that whatsoever is not read herein, nor may be proved thereby, is not required of any man (or woman), that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation as set forth in Article VI of the Articles of Religion established by the General Convention on September 12, 1801; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the 188th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina reaffirms that it is not lawful for the Church to ordain [that is, establish or enact] any thing that is contrary to God's Word written, neither may it so expound one place of scripture, that it be repugnant to another, a s set forth in Article XX of the Articles of Religion established by the General Convention on September 12, 1801; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the 188th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina affirms that every member of this church is conscience-bound first of all to obey the teaching and direction of Our Lord Jesus Christ as set forth in Holy Scripture in any matter where a decision or action of this Church, o r the General Convention, or this Annual Convention, may depart from that teaching; and be it further

RESOLVED: That the 188th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina re-affirms that the statements known as the Chicago-Lambeth Quadrilateral of 1886, 1888, as set forth in the Book of the Common Prayer, 1979, continue to be true and accurate statements of the faith and policy of this Church, and the Anglican Communion, and be it further

RESOLVED: That the 188th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina affirms that councils of the Church have, and sometimes will, err but that our Lord Jesus Christ, present through the person of the Holy Spirit, can and will correct such error; and be it further RESOLVED: That the 188th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina directs the Office of the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina to forward a copy of this resolution to every Parish, Mission, and Congregation within the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina.

COMMENT: Recent General Conventions have been asked to consider and have enacted changes affecting matters of historic faith, morals, and discipline in our Church, in some cases bringing public ridicule to our church and rebuke from the greater Anglican Communion and Christian church catholic. Some members therefore have become discouraged and others have left the Episcopal Church. Many members who remain faithful to this Church seek reassurance that they will not be coerced to act against conscience in matters of historic belief and practice, seeking healing rather than further fragmentation of our Church. The resolution: reaffirms Holy Scripture as the foundation of authority in our Church, re-affirms historic positions adopted by previous General Conventions and affirms that no member of this Church shall be forced to practice or support anything contrary to the clear meaning of the Holy Scripture. John I. Wood (and others) Delegate, Christ Church, Raleigh Resolution No. 12: On Re-Directing the National Church Asking

RESOLVED: That this 188th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina recommits itself to its missionary identity and purpose: making disciplines, making a difference locally, regionally, nationally, and globally; and be it further

RESOLVED: That this 188th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina commits itself to aggressive resourcing (human and financial) of missionary endeavors both within and beyond the geographical boundaries of t he diocese; and be it further

RESOLVED: That this 188th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, in response to the schism that now exists between this diocese and Christendom that was caused directly by the actions of the Episcopal General Convention and the mismanagement of Anglican and ecumenical relations by its Primate, directs that no assessment funds received from parishes for work beyond the diocese any longer be sent to, or reserved for, the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society (The Episcopal Church in the United States of America). John I. Wood (and others) Delegate, Christ Church, Raleigh Resolution No. 13: On Transfer of Property

RESOLVED: That with respect to any parish or mission in this Diocese that seeks alternative episcopal oversight and receives approval for alternative episcopal oversight upon a majority vote of the members of that parish or mission, all interest of this Diocese and its Bishops in the property, real and personal, of such parish or mission shall be transferred and conveyed by this Diocese and its Bishops to such parish or mission or the episcopal authority exercising alternative episcopal oversight within the meaning of the Primate sE28099 statement of October 2003. This 188th Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina affirms that as a practical matter, there can be no effective alternative episcopal oversight without control and ownership of all the property, personal and real, of such parish or mission obtaining alternative episcopal oversight being transferred and conveyed to such parish or mission or episcopal authority exercising alternative episcopal oversight. John I. Wood (and others) Delegate, Christ Church, Raleigh Resolution No. 14: On A Resolution on Defining Legal Title to Property

RESOLVED: That this 188th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina mandates that property held by the Board of Trustees of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina for the use of a Parish, Mission Fellows hip, or Diocesan organization belongs beneficially to such Parish, Mission Fellowship, or Diocesan organization only. No adverse claim to such beneficial interest by any other body, by the Diocese, or by The Episcopal Church in the United States of America is acknowledged, but rather is expressly denied. John I. Wood (and others) Delegate, Christ Church, Raleigh Resolution No. 15: On Adopting Principles of the Lambeth 98 Human Sexuality Resolution

RESOLVED: That this 188th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina recognizes that there are among us persons who have homosexual orientation. Many of these are members of the Church and are seeking the pastoral care, moral direction of the Church, and GodE28099s transforming power for the living of their lives and the ordering of relationships. We commit ourselves to listen to the experience of homosexual persons and wish to assure them they are loved by God and that all baptized, believing and faithful person, regardless of sexual orientation, are full members of the Body of Christ, and be it further

RESOLVED: That this 188th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina affirms that homosexual practice is incompatible with Holy Scripture; and be it further

RESOLVED: That this 188th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina calls on all its members to minister pastorally and sensitively to all irrespective of sexual orientation and to condemn irrational fear of homosexuals, violence within marriage, and any trivialization and commercialization of sexual activity; and be it further

RESOLVED: That this 188th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina prohibits both the blessing of same sex unions and the ordination o f those in a sexual relationship outside of marriage. John I. Wood (and others) Delegate, Christ Church, Raleigh Resolution No. 16: On Adopting the Articles of Religion

RESOLVED: That this 188th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina in reaffirming the confession known as the Articles of Religion (1979 BCP) as a true and accurate formulary of our faith, hereby amends the Constitution of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina to incorporate those Articles. John I. Wood (and others) Delegate, Christ Church, Raleigh Resolution No. 17: On Minimum Asking

RESOLVED: That this 188th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina prohibits the Ecclesiastical Authority from independently declaring a parish to be in mission status for failure to pay its minimum asking; and be it further

RESOLVED: That this 188th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina mandates that a parish may only be declared in mission status for failure to pay the minimum asking only by a two-thirds vote of the Convention, and only after failing to meet it for a period of three consecutive years; and be it further

RESOLVED: That this 188th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina mandates that such declaration, the parish shall have 90 days to meet only its current obligation before being placed on mission status; and be it further

RESOLVED: That this 188th Annual Convention of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina mandates that no parish shall be required to meet its previous minimum asking. John I. Wood (and others) Delegate, Christ Church, Raleigh

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