The Acts of Convention

House of Deputies

Original Text of Resolution:

(A063)

Whereas, the earth is the Lord's, created by Him and entrusted to all his people to be enjoyed equally; and

Whereas, Christians understand that they have a special responsibility to work for a world in which God's plenty is shared by all; and

Whereas, there are today sixteen million refugees, many of them displaced by wars in which the United States has played a major role; and

Whereas, present American policy politicizes the plight of refugees, welcoming some and rejecting others as in the case of Southeast Asians who are welcomed to these shores and Haitians who are not; and

Whereas, all mankind lives in an interdependent global neighborhood, and achievement of decent lives for people in many regions of the world will require extensive developmental aid from more fortunate areas, particularly the United States; and

Whereas, during the last triennium, congregations of the Episcopal Church throughout America have resettled a record number of refugees, aided in this process by the excellent staff of the Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief and the ecumenical offices of Church World Service; therefore, be it

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That this 67th General Convention of the Episcopal Church commend the Presiding Bishop's Fund and Church World Service for their leadership in facilitating the resettlement of refugees and for promoting a United States refugee and immigration policy which in principle and implementation opposes any discrimination on the basis of race, religion, geography, nationality or language; and be it further

Resolved, that this Convention call upon the Clergy and Lay Persons in our dioceses and local congregations to encourage in their several communities a freer acceptance of refugees, especially in areas of high employment potential or other feasible places; and be it further

Resolved, that this Convention urge the President of the United States and the Congress to welcome by a uniform federal code to our shores refugees and immigrants in proportion as our nation is able to provide shelter and sustenance, without discrimination as to race, geographic origin, or nationality; and be it further

Resolved, that this Convention recognize that future refugee problems cannot disappear without active work for the improvement of the quality of life in developing countries, and, therefore, urge enlarged support for long-term developmental programs within Third World countries; and be it further

Resolved, that this Convention urge the President and the Congress to adopt policies that will grant permanent resident status to overstayed/undocumented persons who have resided in the United States for a definite and reasonable period of time and have come here because of political and economic stress.

The Committee recommended that a substitute resolution be adopted, as amended by the Committee.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #80)