B008 Amend Canon II.3.6.a and II.4 to clarify authorization of liturgies
Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring,
That Canon II.3.6.a shall be amended as follows:
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a. Whenever the General Convention, pursuant to Article X of the Constitution, shall authorize for trial use a proposed revision of the Book of Common Prayer, or of a portion or portions thereof, having first been proposed by the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, the enabling Resolution shall specify the period of such trial use, the precise text thereof, and any special terms or conditions under which such trial use shall be carried out including translation.
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a. Whenever the General Convention, pursuant to Article X of the Constitution, shall authorize for trial use a proposed revision of the Book of Common Prayer, or of a portion or portions thereof, having first been proposed by the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music, the enabling Resolution shall specify the period of such trial use, the precise text thereof, and any special terms or conditions under which such trial use shall be carried out including translation.
And be it further.
Resolved, That Canon II.4 shall be amended to add a new Canon 4 as follows, renumbering subsequent Canons under Title II:
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Canon 4: Of the Types of Supplemental Liturgical Texts
Article X of the Constitution defines what is the Book of Common Prayer and what is eligible for Trial Use as a step towards inclusion in the Book of Common Prayer. Supplemental Liturgical Texts shall mean those texts that are available for use in this church but are not the Common Prayer of this church. In addition to the Book of Common Prayer 1979 and Prayer Book Trial Use, as defined by this church's Constitution, additional supplemental liturgical resources may be set forth by the authority of this Church and used with the permission of the bishop diocesan.
Sec. 1. Authorization and Use of Liturgical Resources Supplemental to the Book of Common Prayer
The General Convention at any one meeting, by a majority of the Bishops entitled to vote in the House of Bishops, and by a majority of the Clerical and Lay Deputies, voting by orders may approve supplemental liturgical resources for use by this Church; having first been duly approved by the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music for this sole purpose.
a. Each supplemental liturgical material approved by the General Convention will be designated as Supplemental Additional Resources (available for use without permission of the bishop diocesan) or Supplemental Alternative Resources (requiring permission of the bishop diocesan).
b. Those Supplemental Additional Resources reviewed and authorized may be used for public worship by the ministers of this church. These include a Book of Occasional Services as a collection of Supplemental Texts in addition to the Book of Common Prayer, which may be authorized for use throughout this Church without permission of the bishop. It may also include propers for the celebration of lesser feasts and fasts, as well as a lectionary for the daily celebration of the Holy Eucharist, which may be authorized for optional use throughout this Church.
c. When proposing liturgical resources pursuant to this canon, the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music shall use The Principles to Guide the Development of Liturgical Texts and The Guidelines for Expansive and Inclusive Language adopted by the General Convention of this Church.
d. Before their approval by the General Convention, all liturgies authorized pursuant to this canon shall be translated by the proper authorities into English, Spanish, French, and Haitian Creole, following the principles of dynamic equivalence.
e. All supplemental liturgical resources will be made available without copyright using digital means to provide access to the wider church.
f. Once approved by the General Convention, supplemental liturgical resources may be removed by an act of convention.
g. If at such time as a previously approved supplemental liturgical resource authorized by act of convention under this canon is to be considered for common prayer usage – that is as Trial Use and common worship without the approval of the bishop diocesan – said liturgy must be brought to the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music to begin the process for Trial Use approval as defined by the constitution of this church.
h. A Trial Use period must precede the first reading for any material to be amended or added to the Book of Common Prayer.
Sec. 2. Other Books of Common Prayer
a. Any Book of Common Prayer memorialized by the General Convention is authorized for regular use at any service in all dioceses of this Church.
b. The liturgies from any other Book of Common Prayer that has been authorized previously by the authority in this Church shall be available for use for Sunday worship and for other occasions with the permission of the Ecclesiastical Authority.
c. Any liturgies authorized for regular use by any Church in full communion with this Church may be used with the permission of the Ecclesiastical Authority.
Sec. 3. Use of Other Eucharistic Prayers and Liturgies not authorized by The Episcopal Church
A Eucharistic Prayer that is neither Rite One or Rite Two, may be authorized for seasonal use on Sunday provided it follows An Order for Celebrating the Holy Eucharist (Book of Common Prayer 1979 pp.400-405) and that it has been submitted in writing to the Ecclesiastical Authority in advance for approval.
Sec. 4 Alternate Psalter
An Alternate Psalter may be authorized by resolution at the General Convention for study and occasional use in the Episcopal Church with the approval of the bishop diocesan.
Sec. 5 Authorized Lectionary
The General Convention may at any one meeting, by a majority of the whole number of the Bishops entitled to vote in the House of Bishops and by a majority of the Clerical and Lay Deputies of all the Dioceses entitled to representation in the House of Deputies, voting by orders may amend the Table of Lessons and all Tables and Rubrics relating to the Psalms.
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Canon 4: Of the Types of Supplemental Liturgical Texts
Article X of the Constitution defines what is the Book of Common Prayer and what is eligible for Trial Use as a step towards inclusion in the Book of Common Prayer. Supplemental Liturgical Texts shall mean those texts that are available for use in this church but are not the Common Prayer of this church. In addition to the Book of Common Prayer 1979 and Prayer Book Trial Use, as defined by this church's Constitution, additional supplemental liturgical resources may be set forth by the authority of this Church and used with the permission of the bishop diocesan.
Sec. 1. Authorization and Use of Liturgical Resources Supplemental to the Book of Common Prayer
The General Convention at any one meeting, by a majority of the Bishops entitled to vote in the House of Bishops, and by a majority of the Clerical and Lay Deputies, voting by orders may approve supplemental liturgical resources for use by this Church; having first been duly approved by the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music for this sole purpose.
a. Each supplemental liturgical material approved by the General Convention will be designated as Supplemental Additional Resources (available for use without permission of the bishop diocesan) or Supplemental Alternative Resources (requiring permission of the bishop diocesan).
b. Those Supplemental Additional Resources reviewed and authorized may be used for public worship by the ministers of this church. These include a Book of Occasional Services as a collection of Supplemental Texts in addition to the Book of Common Prayer, which may be authorized for use throughout this Church without permission of the bishop. It may also include propers for the celebration of lesser feasts and fasts, as well as a lectionary for the daily celebration of the Holy Eucharist, which may be authorized for optional use throughout this Church.
c. When proposing liturgical resources pursuant to this canon, the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music shall use The Principles to Guide the Development of Liturgical Texts and The Guidelines for Expansive and Inclusive Language adopted by the General Convention of this Church.
d. Before their approval by the General Convention, all liturgies authorized pursuant to this canon shall be translated by the proper authorities into English, Spanish, French, and Haitian Creole, following the principles of dynamic equivalence.
e. All supplemental liturgical resources will be made available without copyright using digital means to provide access to the wider church.
f. Once approved by the General Convention, supplemental liturgical resources may be removed by an act of convention.
g. If at such time as a previously approved supplemental liturgical resource authorized by act of convention under this canon is to be considered for common prayer usage – that is as Trial Use and common worship without the approval of the bishop diocesan – said liturgy must be brought to the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music to begin the process for Trial Use approval as defined by the constitution of this church.
h. A Trial Use period must precede the first reading for any material to be amended or added to the Book of Common Prayer.
Sec. 2. Other Books of Common Prayer
a. Any Book of Common Prayer memorialized by the General Convention is authorized for regular use at any service in all dioceses of this Church.
b. The liturgies from any other Book of Common Prayer that has been authorized previously by the authority in this Church shall be available for use for Sunday worship and for other occasions with the permission of the Ecclesiastical Authority.
c. Any liturgies authorized for regular use by any Church in full communion with this Church may be used with the permission of the Ecclesiastical Authority.
Sec. 3. Use of Other Eucharistic Prayers and Liturgies not authorized by The Episcopal Church
A Eucharistic Prayer that is neither Rite One or Rite Two, may be authorized for seasonal use on Sunday provided it follows An Order for Celebrating the Holy Eucharist (Book of Common Prayer 1979 pp.400-405) and that it has been submitted in writing to the Ecclesiastical Authority in advance for approval.
Sec. 4 Alternate Psalter
An Alternate Psalter may be authorized by resolution at the General Convention for study and occasional use in the Episcopal Church with the approval of the bishop diocesan.
Sec. 5 Authorized Lectionary
The General Convention may at any one meeting, by a majority of the whole number of the Bishops entitled to vote in the House of Bishops and by a majority of the Clerical and Lay Deputies of all the Dioceses entitled to representation in the House of Deputies, voting by orders may amend the Table of Lessons and all Tables and Rubrics relating to the Psalms.
Explanation
This canonical addition clearly delineates the Book of Common Prayer and supplementary liturgical materials.
In 2018, the 79th General Convention of the Episcopal Church unanimously passed Resolution A068, which replaced Resolution B011. This new resolution brought both houses of the General Convention together to advance our liturgical future while preserving the unique form of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. The objective was to maintain our historic liturgical and Prayer Book traditions through “faithful adherence to the historic rites of the Church Universal as they have been received and interpreted within the Anglican tradition of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer.” This approach respects our existing ecumenical commitments and encourages the submission and refinement of rites that arise from the Holy Spirit's movement and the Church's growing insights.
In 2022, the church made further progress by passing a new constitutional framework for the first reading at the 80th General Convention. This framework reflects the spirit of A068 and describes the current practice of revising the Book of Common Prayer and the church's liturgical life within a post-colonial mission context. This proposal is now before the convention for its second reading.
Canonical lawyers have confirmed that A072 is clear and ready for its second reading. In 2022, the convention anticipated that the Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music (SCLM) would have sufficient time to author the canons, which were previously provided in draft form. The SCLM felt these canons could wait, but many historians, liturgists, bishops, and laity believe these canons are essential. They clarify that liturgies not included in the Book of Common Prayer are supplemental materials for missional use.
This resolution supports the articulation that marriage rites are common prayer and part of our Prayer Book liturgies. The canonical addition aims to continue promoting transparency and establishing liturgical boundaries necessary for a church of common prayer.
It aligns with several unanimously approved resolves in 2018-B011:
Utilizing the riches of Holy Scripture and the church’s diverse liturgical, cultural, racial, generational, linguistic, gender, physical ability, class, and ethnic backgrounds for common worship.
Incorporating inclusive and expansive language and imagery for humanity and divinity.
Expressing understanding, appreciation, and care for God’s creation.
Considering emerging technologies that provide access to a broad range of liturgical resources.
Creating professional dynamic equivalence translations of The Book of Common Prayer 1979 and the Enriching Our Worship Series in Spanish, French, and Haitian Creole, and diversifying the publication formats to include online resources.
Ensuring all materials are professionally translated into English, Spanish, French, and Haitian Creole at each step of the revision process, following dynamic equivalence principles, and not approving new rites or liturgical resources until translations are secured.
The drafting of 2018-B011 revealed that many in the church were unfamiliar with the liturgical process, including the Book of Common Prayer revision process. The creation of A072 highlighted a lack of understanding regarding the approval of liturgies. For example, Enriching Our Worship (EOW) was initially approved for use with a bishop’s permission but later became generally approved without requiring bishop’s permission, thus becoming liturgical resources for general use but not common prayer in the historic sense.
Additionally, the "Existing Liturgies in The Episcopal Church" website revealed that the church and SCLM had been producing liturgies without a clear guide. As a drafter of both B011 and A072 (also known as Article X of the Constitution), I believe it is time to establish a canon that governs our liturgical life beyond the Prayer Book, promoting liturgical renewal through mission and clarifying what constitutes common prayer. This is the purpose of this canonical addition.
This canon adheres to historic Episcopal Church categories for liturgical rites and follows the SCLM guidelines available at Episcopal Common Prayer.
The main point of section 2.3 is to allow the use of “An Order for Celebrating the Holy Eucharist” at “the principal Sunday or weekly celebration of the Holy Eucharist” (BCP, 400), providing canonical support for something previously made possible through a General Convention resolution. It should use the exact BCP language: “An Order for Celebrating the Holy Eucharist” and “at the principal Sunday or weekly celebration of the Holy Eucharist” (BCP, 400).
A question may arise regarding already approved liturgies. This proposal expects that existing items will be affected minimally. Any liturgy that has already been approved for “Trial Use” or will be approved for “Trial Use” in the future will not be affected by this change. The Enriching Our Worship series, approved by resolution of the General Convention, will remain unchanged; however, it will now be classified under “Supplemental Liturgical Resources.” There is nothing in this canon that prevents a Bishop from naming previously approved or generally approved liturgies as legacy approvals. Additionally, the Alternate Psalter, Book of Occasional Services, Calendar and Lectionary Series, and “Additional Resources Made Available by Convention” will remain unaffected by this change.
For further clarity, this canonical addition ensures that liturgies not included in the Book of Common Prayer are recognized as supplemental materials for missional use, maintaining transparency and liturgical boundaries necessary for a church of Common Prayer.