The Acts of Convention

House of Bishops

Original Text of Resolution:

Whereas, Mr. Ramon Flores and his family have been living in St. Michael's Episcopal Chapel at Rutgers University in Piscataway, New Jersey, a publicly declared sanctuary; and

Whereas, on August 6, 1985, Mr. Flores was arrested by undercover agents who required that Mr. Flores and his family sign a document requesting a deportation hearing; and

Whereas, the Flores family is now in danger of being deported to El Salvador where, they believe, they will face imprisonment, torture or death; therefore be it

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That this 68th General Convention of the Episcopal Church be on record as supporting the ministry to the Flores family of St. Michael's Episcopal Chapel at Rutgers University; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention declare itself in opposition to the deportation of the Flores family; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention urges the United States Government to grant political asylum to Salvadorans and Guatemalans who have fled to the United States because of the violence in their countries; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of this Convention send a copy of this resolution to the President of the United States, the Secretary of State of the United States and Senators Bradley and Lautenberg of New Jersey.

Proposed Committee Amendment:

Substitute for the first Resolve the following:

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That this 68th General Convention of the Episcopal Church be on record as supporting the ministry of St. Michael's Episcopal Chapel to the Ramon Flores family, who are in danger of being deported to El Salvador where, they believe, they will face imprisonment, torture, and death; and be it further

Seconded by the Bishop of Utah.

Motion carried

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #60)