The Acts of Convention

House of Deputies

Original Text of Resolution:

(D029)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the year 2000, which will commemorate two millennia since the birth of Jesus, the herald of God's Jubilee, be a Jubilee Year, to be known as Jubilee 2000; and be it further

Resolved, That the Episcopal Church prepare for this Jubilee Year by seeking to implement the biblical imperative of debt forgiveness by:

* affirming current initiatives to reduce and cancel debts presently owed by nations in the Two-Thirds World [sic] to governments and financial institutions in the western industrialized world, and offering this Church's voice and vision to the strengthening of such efforts; and

* participating in the development of sound financial plans for the reductions and cancellation of debts owed by the poor in our own society to financial institutions; and be it further

Resolved, That the Episcopal Church prepare for Jubilee 2000 by seeking to implement the biblical Jubilee imperative of faithful stewardship of God's creation by

* working to alter lifestyle patterns of resource use among Episcopalians and fellow citizens at home and abroad through implementation of this Church's vision for "communion with the environment"; and

* working to encourage responsible use of the earth's resources by other peoples and nations; and be it further

Resolved, That the Episcopal Church prepare for Jubilee 2000 by seeking to implement the biblical Jubilee imperative of human liberation by

* strengthening the Church's efforts to liberate persons in our society from all forms of oppression, including racism, sexism, classism, addiction, abuse, violence and poverty; and

* strengthening the Church's efforts to liberate persons internationally, especially political prisoners and including peoples suffering on account of war, foreign intervention, or oppressive economic and political systems; and be it further

Resolved, That the prospect of Jubilee 2000 be publicized throughout our Church; that dioceses and parishes be encouraged to develop plans to implement debt forgiveness, environmental stewardship and human liberation in preparation for Jubilee 2000; that Anglican partners and other churches and religious bodies be invited to join this initiative; and be it further

Resolved, That the Executive Council be requested to develop plans for the implementation of this resolution through appropriate agencies of this Church and interim bodies of General Convention--such implementation to include consultation with the Anglican Consultative Council, Anglican and ecumenical partners, other religious bodies, financial institutions, governmental and non-governmental organizations--and provide a progress report to the 72nd General Convention.

Proposed Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the year 2000, which will commemorate and joyfully celebrate two millennia since the birth of Jesus, the healed herald of God's Jubilee, be a Jubilee Year, to be known as Jubilee 2000; and be it further

Resolved, That the Episcopal Church prepare for this Jubilee Year by seeking to implement the biblical imperative of debt forgiveness by:

* participating in the development of sound financial plans for the reductions and cancellation of debts owed by the poor in our own society to financial institutions; and

* encourage stewardship discipline and a dialogue in each parish and mission among people of all ages on the subject of debt and the responsible use of money and other resources; and

* affirming current initiatives to reduce and cancel debts presently owed by nations in the Two-Thirds World to governments and financial institutions in the western industrialized world, and offering this Church's voice and vision to the strengthening of such efforts; and be it further

* participating in the development of sound financial plans for the reductions and cancellation of debts owed by the poor in our own society to financial institutions;

and be it further

Resolved, That the Episcopal Church prepare for Jubilee 2000 by seeking to implement the biblical Jubilee imperative of faithful stewardship of God's creation by:

* working to alter lifestyle patterns of resource use among Episcopalians and fellow citizens at home and abroad through implementation of this Church's vision for "communion with the environment"; and

* working to encourage responsible use of the earth's resources by other peoples and nations; and be it further

Resolved, That the Episcopal Church prepare for Jubilee 2000 by seeking to implement the biblical Jubilee imperative of human liberation by:

* strengthening the Church's efforts to liberate persons in our society from all forms of oppression , including racism, sexism, classism, addiction, abuse, violence and poverty; and

* strengthening the Church's efforts to liberate persons internationally, especially political prisoners and including peoples suffering on account of war, foreign intervention, or oppressive economic and political systems;

and be it further

Resolved, That the prospect of Jubilee 2000 be publicized throughout our Church; that dioceses and parishes be encouraged to develop plans to implement debt forgiveness, environmental stewardship and human liberation in preparation for Jubilee 2000; that Anglican partners and other churches and religious bodies be invited to join this initiative; and be it further

Resolved, That the Executive Council in consultation with the Standing Commission on Stewardship and Development, be requested instructed to develop plans for the implementation of this resolution through appropriate agencies of this Church and interim bodies of General Convention , such implementation to include consultation with the Anglican Consultative Council, Anglican and ecumenical partners, other religious bodies, financial institutions, governmental and non-governmental organi zations and provide a progress report to the 72nd General Convention. ( No additional funding required.)

Debate followed.

The question was called to terminate debate on D029.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on D029.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #299)