Resolution Number: 2009-A167
Title: Support Actions to Protect Victims of Human Trafficking
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred as Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That the 76th General Convention of The Episcopal Church calls for the protection of all victims of human trafficking, particularly women and children, providing necessary attention to their physical, psychological and social needs, and using approaches that respect victims’ rights and integrity; and be it further

Resolved, That the 76th General Convention urges its members to support legislation and action oriented to the recovery and reintegration into society of victims of human trafficking. These efforts should provide a safe, dignified and sustainable way for victims of trafficking to reintegrate into society and lead a normalized life; and be it further

Resolved, That the 76th General Convention commends the work of the Executive Council Committee on the Status of Women, as well as the Roman Catholic Women Religious in addressing human trafficking as a national and international priority and recommends that all Episcopal dioceses collaborate with all faith groups and with the Anglican Communion through the International Anglican Women’s Network to provide extensive education to expose and eradicate this insidious undercover modern day slavery; and be it further

Resolved, That the 76th General Convention commend the work of the United States Department of State and the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Refugee Resettlement, in its mission to bring the issue of human trafficking to international attention and to support those vulnerable to economic exploitation, most especially women and children; and be it further

Resolved, That all congregations and dioceses are urged to observe an Human Trafficking Awareness Day, in their liturgical, congregational and diocesan lives.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Anaheim, 2009 (New York: General Convention, 2009), p. 355.

Legislative History

Author: The Executive Council: Committee on the Status of Women
Originating House: House of Deputies
Originating Committee: Committee on National and International Concerns

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on National and International Concerns presented its Report #25 on Resolution A167 (Trafficking) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(A167)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 76th General Convention of The Episcopal Church calls for the protection of all victims of human trafficking, particularly women and children, providing necessary attention to their physical, psychological and social needs, and using approaches that respect victims’ rights and integrity; and be it further

Resolved, That the 76th General Convention urges its members to support legislation and action oriented to the recovery and reintegration into society of victims of human trafficking. These efforts should provide a safe, dignified and sustainable way for victims of trafficking to reintegrate into society and lead a normalized life; and be it further

Resolved, That all congregations and dioceses are urged to observe January 11, Human Trafficking Awareness Day, in their liturgical, congregational and diocesan lives, and to make use of the following litany:

For an End to the Evils of Trafficking

Almighty God, Judge of the nations and Protector of the helpless, we come before you today to ask for vision and courage and strength as we witness in your Name against the evils of trafficking.

We pray first for the victims of trafficking, especially women and children, whose lot is slavery and whose future is despair. As you rescued Susanna from a cruel fate at the hands of the elders, so rescue the enslaved in our day and restore their rightful dignity as your beloved creation.

Leader: “Lo! the hosts of evil round us scorn thy Christ, assail his ways!

People: “Grant us wisdom, grant us courage for the living of these days.”

We pray for those who traffic in human lives that they may know at first hand the wrath of God and, knowing it, may fear God and turn from their wickedness and live. As you touched and transformed the heart of John Newton with your amazing grace, so break through the barriers of greed and indifference and let their evil be turned to good.

Leader: “‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved;

People: “How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed!”

We pray for the exploiters whose relentless demand for forced labor and commercial sex spells doom for the innocent in many lands. As you brought judgment on Babylon, the great city, so let your righteous will frustrate all who take part in this unholy trade.

Leader: “Fallen, fallen is the great city; for its sins are heaped as high as heaven.

People: “God has remembered its iniquities; for mighty is the Lord who judges.”

We pray for our governments which, having made a start, are left with much yet to do for the voiceless and wretched of the earth. As you moved Abraham Lincoln to act on behalf of the enslaved, so move our leaders to respond with conscience and compassion in this moment of testing.

Leader: “Shame our wanton, selfish gladness, rich in things and poor in soul.

People: “Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, lest we miss thy kingdom’s goal.”

We pray for the religious leaders in all our communities that they may bear a bold and faithful witness to discomfort and challenge those who rest easy in the face of evil. As you moved the prophets of old and raised up Sojourner Truth to bear her witness, so call forth prophets at the heart of our nation’s life that the impossible may be done in your strength and the undreamed of become real.

Leader: “God of grace and God of glory, on thy people pour thy power.

People: “Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the facing of this hour.”

We pray finally for ourselves and for all people of compassion and goodwill that we may respect the dignity of every human being, loving our neighbors as ourselves. As you have brought us out of error into truth and out of sin into righteousness, so by the witness of many bring the victims of trafficking out of death into life and rid the great city which is our world from these evils at work among us.

Leader: “Save us from weak resignation to the evils we deplore.

People: “Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, serving thee whom we adore.” Amen.

Bishop Jeffery Rowthorn, Salem, Connecticut, U.S.A., Copyright © 2008

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 76th General Convention of The Episcopal Church calls for the protection of all victims of human trafficking, particularly women and children, providing necessary attention to their physical, psychological and social needs, and using approaches that respect victims’ rights and integrity; and be it further

Resolved, That the 76th General Convention urges its members to support legislation and action oriented to the recovery and reintegration into society of victims of human trafficking. These efforts should provide a safe, dignified and sustainable way for victims of trafficking to reintegrate into society and lead a normalized life; and be it further

Resolved, That the 76th General Convention commends the work of the Executive Council Committee on the Status of Women, as well as the Roman Catholic Women Religious in addressing human trafficking as a national and international priority and recommends that all Episcopal dioceses collaborate with all faith groups and with the Anglican Communion through the International Anglican Women’s Network to provide extensive education to expose and eradicate this insidious undercover modern day slavery; and be it further

Resolved, That the 76th General Convention commend the work of the United States Department of State and the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Refugee Resettlement, in its mission to bring the issue of human trafficking to international attention and to support those vulnerable to economic exploitation, most especially women and children; and be it further

Resolved, That all congregations and dioceses are urged to observe January 11,an Human Trafficking Awareness Day, in their liturgical, congregational and diocesan lives, and to make use of the following litany:

For an End to the Evils of Trafficking

Almighty God, Judge of the nations and Protector of the helpless, we come before you today to ask for vision and courage and strength as we witness in your Name against the evils of trafficking.

We pray first for the victims of trafficking, especially women and children, whose lot is slavery and whose future is despair. As you rescued Susanna from a cruel fate at the hands of the elders, so rescue the enslaved in our day and restore their rightful dignity as your beloved creation.

Leader: “Lo! the hosts of evil round us scorn thy Christ, assail his ways!

People: “Grant us wisdom, grant us courage for the living of these days.”

We pray for those who traffic in human lives that they may know at first hand the wrath of God and, knowing it, may fear God and turn from their wickedness and live. As you touched and transformed the heart of John Newton with your amazing grace, so break through the barriers of greed and indifference and let their evil be turned to good.

Leader: “‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace my fears relieved;

People: “How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed!”

We pray for the exploiters whose relentless demand for forced labor and commercial sex spells doom for the innocent in many lands. As you brought judgment on Babylon, the great city, so let your righteous will frustrate all who take part in this unholy trade.

Leader: “Fallen, fallen is the great city; for its sins are heaped as high as heaven.

People: “God has remembered its iniquities; for mighty is the Lord who judges.”

We pray for our governments which, having made a start, are left with much yet to do for the voiceless and wretched of the earth. As you moved Abraham Lincoln to act on behalf of the enslaved, so move our leaders to respond with conscience and compassion in this moment of testing.

Leader: “Shame our wanton, selfish gladness, rich in things and poor in soul.

People: “Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, lest we miss thy kingdom’s goal.”

We pray for the religious leaders in all our communities that they may bear a bold and faithful witness to discomfort and challenge those who rest easy in the face of evil. As you moved the prophets of old and raised up Sojourner Truth to bear her witness, so call forth prophets at the heart of our nation’s life that the impossible may be done in your strength and the undreamed of become real.

Leader: “God of grace and God of glory, on thy people pour thy power.

People: “Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the facing of this hour.”

We pray finally for ourselves and for all people of compassion and goodwill that we may respect the dignity of every human being, loving our neighbors as ourselves. As you have brought us out of error into truth and out of sin into righteousness, so by the witness of many bring the victims of trafficking out of death into life and rid the great city which is our world from these evils at work among us.

Leader: “Save us from weak resignation to the evils we deplore.

People: “Grant us wisdom, grant us courage, serving thee whom we adore.” Amen.

Bishop Jeffery Rowthorn, Salem, Connecticut, U.S.A., Copyright © 2008

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

The Chair asked the House to reconsider Resolution A167 to allow for amendments that had been missed.

Deputy Headley-Deavours of Newark moved to amend the resolution.

Proposed Amendment:

In the third paragraph of the prayer litany, delete the word “commercial.”

Deputy Headley-Deavours withdrew the amendment.

Deputy Headley-Deavours moved to amend the resolution.

Proposed Amendment:

In the fifth resolve clause, insert a period after the word “lives.” Delete the remainder of the resolution through the end of the litany.

Deputy Trambley of Northwestern Pennsylvania moved the previous question on the amendment and the main motion.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on the proposed amendment. The voice vote being inconclusive, the President called for an electronic vote. The result of the electronic vote was: Yes, 406 votes (51.1%) and No, 388 votes (48.9%).

Motion carried

Amendment adopted

A vote was taken on Resolution A167 as amended.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #192)

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on National and International Concerns presented its Report #34 on HD Message #192 on Resolution A167 (Trafficking) and moved concurrence.

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #261)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 17.

Report Reference:   Executive Council: Committee on the Status of Women, Reports to the 76th General Convention, 2009, pp. 688-698.
Abstract:   The 76th General Convention calls for the protection of all victims of human trafficking; and urges actions oriented to the recovery of victims; and recommends dioceses collaborate to eradicate this form of modern day slavery.