Report #10 to the House of Deputies, recommending Concurrence on Resolution A068
The Very Reverend Samuel G. Candler
Dean of The Cathedral of St. Philip, Atlanta
Chair of the House of Deputies Committee on Prayer Book Revision
We are in a critical legislative process. Thank you! Thank you so much to the members of this House of Deputies, thank you to the House of Bishops, thank you to the entire Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement, as we have transmitted vigorous expressions of the Holy Spirit through this legislative process.
The legislative process can be ponderous and painstaking. In this Church, no one gets exactly their own way, no matter who we are. But we do, in the end, get the way of the wider Church. And we get the Way of Christ. Our Anglican tradition is not the Via Media, the middle way between two poles. Ours is the Via Comprehensiva, the Comprehensive Way, embracing and enfolding polarities. It was an American Episcopal Theologian of the late nineteenth century who said that “Contraries do not necessarily contradict, nor need opposites always oppose” (William Porcher DuBose).
The House of Deputies is proud to have sent a strong and vigorous resolution on revision of the Book of Common Prayer to the House of Bishops. We spoke and voted for revision and development, all within the boundaries of tradition and history.
This is the Anglican way: Tradition and Development. As John Henry Newman wrote, “To live is to change. To be perfect is to have changed often.”
The House of Bishops has heard us. That house has counseled in its own good and proper manner, and it has responded to our house. Committee 13 believes they have heard us. Rejoice! They have heard and responded to our request for Prayer Book and Liturgical revision.
Their response, this amended resolution A068, changes the plan and the funding. We understand. Committee 13 understands. Further debate about funding might well be futile, given the tremendous needs in other parts of this church’s budget. Further debate about the plan might well be endless.
We need to go forward. Ecclesia semper reformanda. The Church is always reforming, and our prayer is always reforming; and we are excited to be a part of that. With joy and wonder, with eagerness and honor. On behalf of Committee 13, I recommend Concur with the House of Bishops.
The Very Reverend Samuel G. Candler
Dean of the Cathedral of St. Philip