Explanation

This resolution was referred from the 80th General Convention. It was proposed by the Task Force to Assist the Office of Pastoral Development, listed as 2022-A079, and referred to Legislative Committee 15 - Ministry.

This Resolution has several purposes. One is to bring a degree of consistency to the discernment screening and evaluations that are conducted for those in discernment (or reception) processes to become a Priest or Deacon and those used when a Bishop is elected. Currently, background screening and medical, psychological, and psychiatric evaluations are conducted prior to ordination or reception from another denomination or Province of the Anglican Communion for Priests, Deacons, and Bishops of other Provinces of the Anglican Communion who will serve as Assistant Bishops. Currently the canons do not require any background screening or evaluations prior to the election of a Bishop for a Diocese. It is only after an election that the Bishop-elect must have medical, psychological, and psychiatric evaluations, even though the recommended process and wide-spread practice is to conduct background screening and medical, psychological, and psychiatric evaluations on all those who are nominated. This Resolution would make that best practice a requirement.

Another purpose is to broaden the current medical, psychological, and psychiatric evaluations in Bishop discernment processes to include chemical, and alcohol use and abuse and other addictive patterns evaluations. Experience has shown that such issues are not necessarily identified in routine medical, psychological, and psychiatric evaluations, and that failure can lead to serious consequences for the electing Diocese and for the Bishop and his/her family.

Another purpose is to address the issue of who should initially receive the results of the background screening and evaluations. Presently, the canons are silent and there is no generally agreed upon best practice. This lack has lead to confusion and some misunderstandings on who the information belongs to and who should review it and make decisions about it. Since it is the electing Diocese that is having the screening and evaluations done and it is the electing Diocese that has to make the discernment of who is appropriate and fit to serve as its Bishop, and it is the electing Diocese that will incur most of the consequences of any problems or issues with the new Bishop, the electing Diocese needs to have all the information from the screening and evaluations to assist it in its discernment. The Resolution aims to balance the interests of the electing Diocese having the information it needs for its discernment process with the interest that a nominee has in sensitive information being handled and shared appropriately with the Presiding Bishop's interest in the overall health and fitness of persons who will serve as Bishops. The proposed canon does not prohibit the sharing of information beyond the President of the Standing Committee and the best practice would have the President consult with the Presiding Bishop (through the Office of Pastoral Development), and perhaps Chancellors, subject matter experts, and the nominee prior to further sharing of the information.

And, the Resolution provides for the appropriate destruction of the evaluations and background screening information and also for the appropriate retention of the information for the person elected Bishop only in case the information becomes relevant in the future.