The Acts of Convention

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on Social and Urban Affairs presented its Report #17 on Resolution A127 (Restorative Justice) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(A127)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 75th General Convention of The Episcopal Church endorse the principles of restorative justice as a fresh means of engaging in a deeper quest for wholeness in this Church and society; and be it further

Resolved, That the 75th Convention call upon the Anti-Racism Committee of Executive Council to build upon its present work to now develop a “Truth, Reconciliation, and Restorative Justice Initiative” that will enable the Church to engage first in a process of “Truth-telling” that is based on these principles and is designed to be implemented by each diocese with appropriate resources; and be it further

Resolved, That these processes would create mechanisms for both those with historical and present-day under-privilege and those with historical and present-day privilege to undertake a joint process of historical accounting, story-telling and assessment of the roots and branches of racial and ethnic inequity, marginalization and disharmony in the church and in society; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention call upon the Anti-Racism Committee of Executive Council to explore and recommend to the 76th General Convention a comprehensive second part process of “Reconciliation and Restorative Justice” that addresses the injustices and needs for healing identified in the previous resolve; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention call upon the Church to call upon Congress and the American people to support a national initiative to study the history and legacy of slavery and possible remedies.

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 75th General Convention of The Episcopal Church endorse the principles of restorative justice, as a fresh means of engaging in a deeper quest for wholeness in this Church and society;an important tool in implementing a neutral articulation of the self-examination and amendment of life that is required to fulfill our baptismal covenant; and be it further

Resolved, That the 75th Convention, in support of and to enhance Resolution A123, call upon the Anti-Racism Committee of Executive Council to build upon its present work to now develop a “Truth, Reconciliation, and Restorative Justice Initiative” that will enable the Church to engage first in a process of “Truth-telling” that is based on these principles and is designed to be implemented by each diocese with appropriate resources;to design a study and dialogue process and materials in order to engage the people of The Episcopal Church in storytelling about historical and present-day privilege and under-privilege as well as discernment towards restorative justice and the call to fully live into our baptismal covenant; and be it further

Resolved, That these processes would create mechanisms for both those with historical and present-day under-privilege and those with historical and present-day privilege to undertake a joint process of historical accounting, story-telling and assessment of the roots and branches of racial and ethnic inequity, marginalization and disharmony in the church and in society;That in the spirit of inclusion, dioceses also be invited to determine whether their call is to conduct truth and reconciliation processes in regard to other histories and legacies of racial discrimination and oppression that may be applicable in their geographic area, while not diminishing the strong call to focus on the history and legacy of slavery; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention call upon the Anti-Racism Committee of Executive Council to explore and recommend to the 76th General Convention a comprehensive second part process of “Reconciliation and Restorative Justice” that addresses the injustices and needs for healing identified in the previous resolve; That the dioceses will give a progress report to the Anti-Racism Committee. The Anti-Racism Committee will report their findings and recommendations to the Standing Commission on National Concerns and to Executive Council and to the 76th General Convention; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention call upon the Church to call upon Congress and the American people to support a national initiative to study the history and legacy of slavery and possible remedies.That the Church hold before itself the vision of a Church without racism; a Church for all races.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #179)