Ecumenical responsibilities of the Episcopal Church are implemented by the General Convention (legislates), the Presiding Bishop of the Church (chief pastor and primate), and the Executive Council (develops and implements program). The Ecumenical Officer assists the Presiding Bishop, the Standing Commission, and the Executive Council to carry out their responsibilities.
These instruments, because of the very way in which Christ is manifested in His Church, are in no way a substitute for the responsibilities of the diocesan church. The churchwide bodies are a means to promote the life and witness of the dioceses, to reach consensus on issues which transcend diocesan territories, and to foster communion.
Ecumenical Deputy to the Presiding Bishop
The position of Ecumenical Deputy was established by General Convention in 1961 as a special assistant to the Presiding Bishop. The duties were described as day-to-day business with the National and World Councils of Churches, keeping the church at large adequately informed and in touch with all phases of the ecumenical movement, education at diocesan and parish levels, apprising the Presiding Bishop and his/her staff of matters of importance, deepening and extending the involvement of provinces and dioceses, coordinating the ecumenical activity and work of the Episcopal Church, and planning for its responsible participation in ecumenical affairs.
The Ecumenical Deputy assists the Presiding Bishop, the Standing Commission, the Executive Council, the Dioceses of this Church, and the Anglican Communion to promote Christian unity in life and doctrine, and cooperation in mission (proclamation, worship, service) under directives from the General Convention. The Officer explores options and makes recommendations, contributes through theological study and reflection to ecumenical progress, and gives informed interpretation of new directions, insights, and developments. The Officer relates to a variety of institutions and persons, including other communions in the United States and the world, and national and international ecumenical organizations.
General Convention
The General Convention, consisting of the House of Bishops and elected clergy and lay people in the House of Deputies, meets every three years. The two houses normally sit and deliberate separately. Either house may originate and propose legislation, but all acts of the Convention must be adopted by both houses. Each house has a Committee on Ecumenical Relations to which proposed resolutions are referred and which reports recommendations for action. The two committees meet jointly. Through its legislative process, the General Convention determines ecumenical commitments, policies, and programs of the Episcopal Church.
The House of Bishops meets each year between General Conventions and has certain responsibilities of its own. The bishops occasionally state the mind of the House on doctrinal or pastoral issues involved in ecumenical relations, thus setting policy as chief pastors of the dioceses.
Presiding Bishop of the Church
The Presiding Bishop of the Church, as “Chief Pastor and Primate,” is “charged with responsibility for leadership in initiating and developing the policy and strategy of the Church and, as Chairman of the Executive Council of General Convention, with ultimate responsibility for the implementation of such policy and strategy through the conduct of policies and programs authorized by the General Convention or approved by the Executive Council of the General Convention.” He/She shall “Speak God’s words to the Church and to the world, as the representative of this Church and its episcopate in its corporate capacity” (Constitution and Canons, Title I, Canon 4.a).
The Presiding Bishop exercises a ministry of unity and coordination. He/She fosters communion by helping the bishops in their task of apostolic leadership both in their local churches and in the Church universal. Primacy fulfills its purpose by helping the Provinces to listen to one another, to grow in love and unity, and to strive together towards the fullness of Christian life and witness. The ministry of primacy is expressed, not in isolation, but in collegial association with the bishops.
As this Church’s primary ecumenical representative, the Presiding Bishop assures that ecumenical commitment is manifested in the Episcopal Church, and represents this Church through visits and relations with leaders of other churches in the United States and abroad and in ecumenical organizations. The Presiding Bishop delegates others as representatives from time to time. The Presiding Bishop also appoints officers, such as the Ecumenical Deputy, “responsible to the Presiding Bishop who may delegate such authority as shall seem appropriate” (Constitution and Canons, Title I, Canon 2.4.c).
Executive Council
The Executive Council of the General Convention is canonically responsible “to carry out the programs and policies adopted by the General Convention.” It has “charge of the unification, development, and prosecution of the Missionary, Educational, and Social Work of the church, and of such other work as may be committed to it by the General Convention.” The Presiding Bishop is ex officio President of the Council, and the President of the House of Deputies is Vice-President. Members of the Council are bishops, priests or deacons, and laity elected by the General Convention and the nine provinces.
The Executive Council is accountable to General Convention and reports concerning the work with which it is charged by each meeting of the Convention. Between sessions of Convention, the Council may initiate and develop such new work as it deems necessary. The Council submits to each Convention a General Program Budget for the succeeding triennium, including a detailed budget for the ensuing year and estimated total budgets for two succeeding years.
These instruments, because of the very way in which Christ is manifested in His Church, are in no way a substitute for the responsibilities of the diocesan church. The churchwide bodies are a means to promote the life and witness of the dioceses, to reach consensus on issues which transcend diocesan territories, and to foster communion.
Ecumenical Deputy to the Presiding Bishop
The position of Ecumenical Deputy was established by General Convention in 1961 as a special assistant to the Presiding Bishop. The duties were described as day-to-day business with the National and World Councils of Churches, keeping the church at large adequately informed and in touch with all phases of the ecumenical movement, education at diocesan and parish levels, apprising the Presiding Bishop and his/her staff of matters of importance, deepening and extending the involvement of provinces and dioceses, coordinating the ecumenical activity and work of the Episcopal Church, and planning for its responsible participation in ecumenical affairs.
The Ecumenical Deputy assists the Presiding Bishop, the Standing Commission, the Executive Council, the Dioceses of this Church, and the Anglican Communion to promote Christian unity in life and doctrine, and cooperation in mission (proclamation, worship, service) under directives from the General Convention. The Officer explores options and makes recommendations, contributes through theological study and reflection to ecumenical progress, and gives informed interpretation of new directions, insights, and developments. The Officer relates to a variety of institutions and persons, including other communions in the United States and the world, and national and international ecumenical organizations.
General Convention
The General Convention, consisting of the House of Bishops and elected clergy and lay people in the House of Deputies, meets every three years. The two houses normally sit and deliberate separately. Either house may originate and propose legislation, but all acts of the Convention must be adopted by both houses. Each house has a Committee on Ecumenical Relations to which proposed resolutions are referred and which reports recommendations for action. The two committees meet jointly. Through its legislative process, the General Convention determines ecumenical commitments, policies, and programs of the Episcopal Church.
The House of Bishops meets each year between General Conventions and has certain responsibilities of its own. The bishops occasionally state the mind of the House on doctrinal or pastoral issues involved in ecumenical relations, thus setting policy as chief pastors of the dioceses.
Presiding Bishop of the Church
The Presiding Bishop of the Church, as “Chief Pastor and Primate,” is “charged with responsibility for leadership in initiating and developing the policy and strategy of the Church and, as Chairman of the Executive Council of General Convention, with ultimate responsibility for the implementation of such policy and strategy through the conduct of policies and programs authorized by the General Convention or approved by the Executive Council of the General Convention.” He/She shall “Speak God’s words to the Church and to the world, as the representative of this Church and its episcopate in its corporate capacity” (Constitution and Canons, Title I, Canon 4.a).
The Presiding Bishop exercises a ministry of unity and coordination. He/She fosters communion by helping the bishops in their task of apostolic leadership both in their local churches and in the Church universal. Primacy fulfills its purpose by helping the Provinces to listen to one another, to grow in love and unity, and to strive together towards the fullness of Christian life and witness. The ministry of primacy is expressed, not in isolation, but in collegial association with the bishops.
As this Church’s primary ecumenical representative, the Presiding Bishop assures that ecumenical commitment is manifested in the Episcopal Church, and represents this Church through visits and relations with leaders of other churches in the United States and abroad and in ecumenical organizations. The Presiding Bishop delegates others as representatives from time to time. The Presiding Bishop also appoints officers, such as the Ecumenical Deputy, “responsible to the Presiding Bishop who may delegate such authority as shall seem appropriate” (Constitution and Canons, Title I, Canon 2.4.c).
Executive Council
The Executive Council of the General Convention is canonically responsible “to carry out the programs and policies adopted by the General Convention.” It has “charge of the unification, development, and prosecution of the Missionary, Educational, and Social Work of the church, and of such other work as may be committed to it by the General Convention.” The Presiding Bishop is ex officio President of the Council, and the President of the House of Deputies is Vice-President. Members of the Council are bishops, priests or deacons, and laity elected by the General Convention and the nine provinces.
The Executive Council is accountable to General Convention and reports concerning the work with which it is charged by each meeting of the Convention. Between sessions of Convention, the Council may initiate and develop such new work as it deems necessary. The Council submits to each Convention a General Program Budget for the succeeding triennium, including a detailed budget for the ensuing year and estimated total budgets for two succeeding years.