The Acts of Convention

House of Deputies

Original Text of Resolution:

(D024)

Whereas, Commandments and teachings in Scripture depict the practice of the Christian faith as involving maximum freedom to worship the Lord as the only God of our lives and the source of all good things; and

Whereas, nearly forty percent of the world's population is simply not free and many others suffer varying degrees of restriction of rights to the individual and/or corporate practice of religion; and

Whereas, the number of religious martyrs in this century exceeds that of any previous one, and thousands of people are at this moment incarcerated in prisons, psychiatric institutions, and labor camps for professing faith in God and engaging in activities as basic as collecting and distributing charity and teaching their faith to their children; therefore be it

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 69th General Convention of the Episcopal Church urge the dioceses and parishes of this Church to pray for religious freedom in the world in weekly services throughout the coming triennium; and be it further

Resolved, That the Executive Council adopt religious freedom as a public policy concern and protest the persecution of the faithful to the embassies of all countries which practice such persecution; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention convey its support of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Religious Intolerance and encourage the continuation of this office to the General Secretary of the United Nations, the U. S. Ambassador to the United Nations, and the Secretary of State of the United States; and be it further

Resolved, That the Church's mission agencies be instructed to intercede through "quiet diplomacy" and through public advocacy for individuals and groups suffering persecution wherever the Church is serving; and be it further

Resolved, That the Executive Council publicize in the dioceses and parishes of the Church material on religious liberty available from Amnesty International, Freedom House, and Keston College (England).

Proposed Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 69th General Convention of the Episcopal Church urge the dioceses and parishes of this Church to pray for religious freedom in the world in weekly services throughout the coming triennium; and be it further

Resolved, That the Executive Council be urged to adopt religious freedom as a public policy and devise ways and means to concern and protest the persecution of all religions the faithful to the embassies of all countries which practice such persecution; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention convey its support of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Religious Intolerance and encourage the continuation of this office to the General Secretary of the United Nations, the U. S. Ambassador to the United Nations, and the Secretary of State of the United States its support of the United Nations' work for religious freedom world-wide and urge its continuation; and be it further

Resolved, That the Church's mission agencies be instructed Executive Council be urged to devise ways and means to intercede through "quiet diplomacy" and through public advocacy for individuals and groups suffering persecution wherever the Church is serving; and be it further

Resolved, That the Executive Council be urged to publicize in the dioceses and parishes of the Church material on religious liberty available from Amnesty International, Freedom House, and Keston College (England). approved by the Executive Council.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #109)