wfn.org | Lutheran Vote to Reconsider Concordat Fails

[ELCANEWS@ELCASCO.ELCA.ORG]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

BULLETIN -- PHILADELPHIA

August 19, 1997

LUTHERAN VOTE TO RECONSIDER CONCORDAT FAILS

     Voting members of the Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America have rejected an attempt to reconsider a vote it took on
Aug. 18 that denied entering into full communion with The Episcopal Church.
The vote to reconsider needed a simple majority but failed 397 to 640.  The
assembly is now considering a separate motion outlining ways to continue
dialogue and teaching within the ELCA.
     The Rev. Roger A. McKinstry, Tripoli, Iowa, took advantage of a
parliamentary procedure that allowed him, as one who voted on the
prevailing side in the original vote, to ask the assembly to reconsider its
decision.
     "The decision was difficult, but let's move on," said Audrey
Richardson, Bemidji, Minn., during a debate of the motion to reconsider.

For information contact:

Ann Hafften, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://www.elca.org/co/news/current.html