Pleased with the efficiency with which the House of Deputies was able to dispatch with resolutions submitted by the Standing Commission on Prayer Book, Liturgy and Music, the House of Deputies of General Convention voted on Friday afternoon to suspend the rules of order to permit all committees to give their reports at once.

The most significant change eliminated the possibility of a bishop receiving consent by General Convention if the election occurs within 120 days of the start of convention.

Christopher Hart of Pennsylvania opposed the resolution, noting that the deputation from the Diocese of Central Ecuador probably would not have been able to explain the complexity of its situation within the canonical time frame specified for standing committees and bishops with jurisdiction.

Sally Johnson of Minnesota also spoke in opposition. She said the Holy Spirit works at General Convention with respect to bishops as well as it does in other legislative processes. It is important for this body of The Episcopal Church to retain this important form of collective discernment, she said.

Others disagreed and pointed out that a consistent method of granting consent was desirable.

Simon Ross of Michigan said a consistent pattern and process would make it harder for the system to be manipulated. The Rev. Robert S Hennagin of Southwest Florida agreed. The consistency currently isn’t there,” he said.

Deputies approved the resolution on a voice vote.

Among other ministry resolutions adopted after discussion were A176, which broadens the responsibilities of the Church Deployment Board; A051, which is the first reading to amend the constitution so that it does not need to be updated every time The Episcopal Church enters into a new agreement of full communion. Finally, D006 clarifies the methods by which a priest can be removed from a cure by a bishop under Title III.

Steve Waring reporting from General Convention in Anaheim.