1979 Book of Common Prayer (USA)

1979 Book of Common Prayer (USA) is the principal liturgical book of the Episcopal Church (United States) adopted by the General Convention (Episcopal Church) in 1979. It revised earlier editions rooted in the Book of Common Prayer (1662) and the Book of Common Prayer (1928) for use across dioceses such as Diocese of New York, Diocese of Chicago, and Diocese of California. The volume shaped worship, pastoral practice, and theological education within institutions like Trinity Church (Boston), Cathedral of St. John the Divine, and seminaries such as General Theological Seminary.

History and Development

The 1979 edition emerged from liturgical renewal movements connected to the Liturgical Movement, the Anglican Communion's responses to the Second Vatican Council, and earlier Anglo-Catholic and Evangelical Anglicanism debates involving figures linked to William Laud's legacy and the Oxford Movement. Early twentieth-century experiments in the Book of Common Prayer (1928) and committees convened at General Convention (Episcopal Church) shaped the work alongside commissions with ecumenical contact with the World Council of Churches and the Consultation on Common Texts. Influences included scholarship by liturgists who studied the Didache, Apostolic Tradition, and works attributed to Augustine of Hippo and Thomas Cranmer. The revision process involved representation from dioceses such as Diocese of Los Angeles and Diocese of Virginia and debates in legislative sessions presided over by presiding bishops like John Allin and Edmund Browning.

Structure and Contents

The book is organized into major sections reflecting Anglican patrimony and pastoral needs: Morning and Evening Prayer rites with canticles used since the Reformation, the Eucharistic rites including Rite I and Rite II reflecting traditional and contemporary language practices, the Pastoral Offices covering baptism, confirmation, marriage, and burial, and a comprehensive Calendar of Saints with propers for observance in parishes like Christ Church (Philadelphia), St Paul's Cathedral (London), and mission congregations. It includes a lectionary shaped by consultation with ecumenical partners such as the Roman Catholic Church (Vatican II) liturgical commissions and aligns with precedents found in the Common Worship and earlier Anglican books. The Eucharistic rite contains collects, prefaces, and invocations used at cathedrals such as Washington National Cathedral and parish churches affiliated with the Society for the Increase of Christian Knowledge.

Liturgical Language and Theology

The 1979 edition features two primary language registers: Rite I retains traditional Elizabethan language associated with Elizabeth I's era and the legacy of Thomas Cranmer's liturgies, while Rite II uses contemporary idiom influenced by modern translations like the New Revised Standard Version and scholarship following the Reformation of the Church of England. Theologically, the book articulates doctrines of baptismal theology, Eucharistic presence, and episcopal ministry in dialogue with Anglican formularies such as the Thirty-Nine Articles and debates surrounding sacramental theology undertaken in forums including the Anglican Consultative Council. It reflects pastoral emphases relevant to clergy trained at institutions like Virginia Theological Seminary and Seabury-Western Theological Seminary and engages biblical sources from authors such as Paul the Apostle and traditions traced to Irenaeus of Lyons.

Usage and Reception

Upon adoption, reception varied across contexts: urban parishes in New York City and San Francisco often implemented Rite II rapidly, while conservative dioceses including constituencies in Houston and Charleston, South Carolina preferred Rite I or continued use of the 1928 alternatives. The book influenced worship in cathedrals like St. Paul's Cathedral (London) indirectly through Anglican exchange and was critiqued and defended in publications associated with The Living Church and academic journals at seminaries such as Yale Divinity School. Debates about language, gender-inclusive texts, and authority of rubrics played out in diocesan conventions and in public controversies involving bishops like John Shelby Spong and activists connected to Equality Federation-era discussions. Liturgical adoption affected music programs that drew on hymnals such as The Hymnal 1982 and choral repertoires at historic churches like Christ Church (Philadelphia).

Revisions, Supplements, and Influence

Since 1979, the book has been supplemented by alternative liturgies, trial use resources, and legislative amendments passed by subsequent General Convention (Episcopal Church) sessions, with influence visible in resources from Church Publishing Incorporated, pastoral resources used by clergy licensed in dioceses like Diocese of Pennsylvania, and ecumenical exchanges with bodies including the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod and the Presbyterian Church (USA). Notable supplements include rites addressing same-sex unions debated in convocations involving bishops such as Gene Robinson and liturgical materials produced by commissions connected to The Episcopal Church Task Forces. The style and lectionary informed adaptations in provincial liturgies across the Anglican Church of Canada and shaped scholarly discussion at conferences held by organizations like the Society for Biblical Literature and the North American Academy of Liturgy.

Category:Book of Common Prayer Category:Episcopal Church (United States)