Resolution Number: 1976-D036
Title: Support Efforts by Church, Government and Business to End Apartheid
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred As Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That this General Convention:

  1. Commend again the continued witness of the Church of the Province of South Africa in the face of the doctrine and practice of apartheid;
  2. Call upon the Government of the United States of America to continue and increase its efforts to persuade the government of the Republic of South Africa to purge itself of its racist laws and practices and to work for a free and democratic society;
  3. Urge United States banks and other businesses (a) to cease selling goods and services to the government of the Republic of South Africa, (b) not to increase their investments or expand in South Africa under the present circumstances; and (c) to consider carefully both the possible good and the possible harm which their continued presence in South Africa results in and urge such banks and other businesses to make an honest and careful evaluation of their participation in the economic and social life of that nation and, if after such evaluation, their conclusion is that their presence in South Africa does not, on balance, assist or cannot be made to assist, in the struggle for human dignity and freedom that such banks and businesses be urged to withdraw from South Africa; and
  4. Agree that we in this country, who continue to be involved in our own racial crisis and adjustment, should extend the hand of love and encouragement to our fellow Churchmen, and all Christians, and to all the people of good will, in South Africa.
Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Minneapolis 1976 (New York: General Convention, 1977), p. C-125.

Legislative History

Author:
Originating House: House of Deputies
Originating Committee: Committee on World Mission

House of Deputies

Deputy Lloyd (Central Pennsylvania) presented Report #11 of the Committee on National and International Problems on Resolution D-36 concerning South Africa. Deputy Lloyd moved adoption of the resolution as amended, and as follows:

Whereas, the Province of South Africa is faced with the continuation of the doctrine of apartheid; now, therefore be it

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, that this General Convention:

  1. Commend again the continued witness of the Church of the Province of South Africa in the face of the doctrine and practice of apartheid;
  2. Call upon the Government of the United States of America to continue and increase its efforts to persuade the government of the Republic of South Africa to purge itself of its racist laws and practices and to work for a free and democratic society;
  3. Urge United States banks and other businesses (a) to cease selling goods and services to the government of the Republic of South Africa, (b) not to increase their investments or expand in South Africa under the present circumstances; and (c) to consider carefully both the possible good and the possible harm which their continued presence in South Africa results in and urge such banks and other businesses to make an honest and careful evaluation of their participation in the economic and social life of that nation and, if after such evaluation, their conclusion is that their presence in South Africa does not, on balance, assist or cannot be made to assist, in the struggle for human dignity and freedom that such banks and businesses be urged to withdraw from South Africa; and
  4. Agree that we in this country, who continue to be involved in our own racial crisis and adjustment, should extend the hand of love and encouragement to our fellow Churchmen, and all Christians, and to all the people of good will, in South Africa.

Deputy Dyer (Massachusetts) moved a substitute resolution which was defeated.

Motion defeated

The previous question was called for on the main motion and it was adopted.

Resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #131)

House of Bishops

On the Tenth Day, the Secretary read Message #131 from the House of Deputies on South Africa.

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #192)

Abstract:   The 65th General Convention commends the witness of the Church of the Province of South Africa in the face of apartheid. It calls upon the U.S. government to persuade the government of South Africa to repeal racist laws and work for a democratic society.