The subject of confirmation stirred passionate testimony July 5 before General Convention\u2019s Education Committee. Clergy and laypeople addressed the committee on Resolutions A041, A042, A043 and A044, all of which address the nature of confirmation as a necessary step in becoming Episcopalian.<\/p>\n
The Rev. Canon Robert Brooks, vice president of Associated Parishes for Liturgy and Mission, said the canons conflict with the Book of Common Prayer (1979), which describes Holy Baptism as full initiation into the Church. The resolutions seek to resolve that conflict, he said.<\/p>\n
The Rev. Danielle Morris of the Diocese of Central Florida opposed the resolutions, saying confirmation helps create loyal members of the Church through education. She cited an example of a woman in her parish who wanted to serve on the vestry but had not been confirmed. \u201cShe said, \u201d\u02dcI\u2019ll go through the classes,\u2019\u201d\u009d Morris said. \u201cBy the time she ended those classes, she said, \u201d\u02dcI had no idea. I\u2019m an Episcopalian because I am now a part of all of that inheritance.\u2019 She will be an Episcopalian for life.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n