Resolution Number: 2006-D022
Title: Establish the Millennium Development Goals as a Mission Priority
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred as Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That the 75th General Convention of The Episcopal Church commend the leaders and members of The Episcopal Church, including Episcopal Relief and Development and program ministries of The Episcopal Church, for their leadership on behalf of the Millennium Development Goals, both through public advocacy and implementation of MDG programs in the developing world; and commend parishes, missions, congregations, and dioceses, and others, like Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation and the Micah Challenge, for their support of the implementation of the MDGs in fulfillment of our Baptismal Covenant and as an expression of the hunger of this Church for far deeper communion with all of God’s beloved; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention establish the work toward the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals as a mission priority for the coming triennium, and that each diocese, congregation, and parishioner be urged to commit to 0.7% giving toward these goals by July 7, 2007 (07/07/07); and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention request the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance to consider a budget line item of no less than an additional 0.7% (circa $900,000) of the non-government revenue of The Episcopal Church for work that supports the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals:

  1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
  2. Achieve universal primary education
  3. Promote gender equality and empower women
  4. Reduce child mortality
  5. Improve maternal health
  6. Combat HIV and AIDS, malaria and other diseases
  7. Ensure environmental sustainability, and
  8. Create a global partnership for development with a focus on debt, aid, and trade.

And be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention encourage parishes, missions, congregations, and dioceses to designate the Last Sunday after Pentecost, or such days as may be designated ecumenically for commendation of the MDGs, as special days of prayer, fasting, and giving in The Episcopal Church toward global reconciliation and the Millennium Development Goals; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention request that all dioceses establish a global reconciliation commission or similar body dedicated to mobilizing Episcopalians toward the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals; and be it further

Resolved, That the Standing Commission on Anglican and International Peace with Justice Concerns report to the 76th General Convention on the progress that has been achieved in implementing this resolution; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention endorse “The ONE Campaign,” the U.S. movement for the MDGs, through The Episcopal Church’s “ONE Episcopalian” campaign; call on all parishes, missions, congregations, dioceses, and individuals to join the ONE Episcopalian campaign; and publicly endorse The ONE Campaign’s call for the United States government to annually spend an additional one percent of its budget to combat global poverty, and to be active advocates for the achievement of this work.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Columbus, 2006 (New York: General Convention, 2007), pp. 522-524.

Legislative History

Author: The Rev. Randolph K. Dales (New Hampshire)
Originating House: House of Bishops
Originating Committee: Committee on National and International Concerns

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on National and International Concerns presented its Report #2 on Resolution D022 (MDGs and the ONE Episcopalian Campaign) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(D022)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 75th General Convention of The Episcopal Church commend the leaders and members of The Episcopal Church, including Episcopal Relief and Development and program ministries of the national Church, for their leadership on behalf of the Millennium Development Goals, both through public advocacy and implementation of MDG programs in the developing world; and commend dioceses, local congregations and others, such as Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation and the Micah Challenge, for their support of the implementation of the MDGs; and be it further

Resolved, That the convention endorse “The ONE Campaign,” the U.S. movement for the MDGs, through The Episcopal Church’s “ONE Episcopalian” campaign and call on all dioceses, parishes, and individuals to join the ONE Episcopalian campaign, publicly endorsing The ONE Campaign’s call for the United States government to annually spend an additional one percent of its budget to combat global poverty.

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 75th General Convention of The Episcopal Church commend the leaders and members of The Episcopal Church, including Episcopal Relief and Development and program ministries of the national Church, for their leadership on behalf of the Millennium Development Goals, both through public advocacy and implementation of MDG programs in the developing world; and commend dioceses, local congregations, and others, such aslike Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation and the Micah Challenge, for their support of the implementation of the MDGs in fulfillment of our Baptismal Covenant and as an expression of the hunger of this Church for far deeper communion with all of God’s beloved; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention establish the work toward the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals as a mission priority for the coming triennium, and that each diocese, congregation and parishioner be urged to commit to 0.7% giving toward these goals by July 7, 2007 (07/07/07); and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention request the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget and Finance to consider a budget line item of no less than an additional 0.7% (circa $900,000) of the non-government revenue of The Episcopal Church for work that supports the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals:

  1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
  2. Achieve universal primary education
  3. Promote gender equality and empower women
  4. Reduce child mortality
  5. Improve maternal health
  6. Combat HIV and AIDS, malaria and other diseases
  7. Ensure environmental sustainability, and
  8. Create a global partnership for development with a focus on debt, aid, and trade.

And be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention encourage diocese and parishes to designate the Feast of Christ the King (the last Sunday of the Church Year), or such days may be designated ecumenically for commendation of the MDGs, as special days of prayer, fasting, and giving in The Episcopal Church toward global reconciliation and the Millennium Development Goals; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention request that all dioceses establish a global reconciliation commission or similar body dedicated to mobilizing Episcopalians toward the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals; and be it further

Resolved, That the Standing Commission on Anglican and International Peace with Justice Concerns report to the 76th General Convention on the progress that has been achieved in implementing this resolution; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention this convention endorse “The ONE Campaign,” the U.S. movement for the MDGs, through The Episcopal Church’s “ONE Episcopalian” campaign; andcall on all dioceses, parishes, and individuals to join the ONE Episcopalian campaign;, and publicly endorseing The ONE Campaign’s call for the United States government to annually spend an additional one percent of its budget to combat global poverty.

The Bishop Suffragan of Alabama moved an amendment.

Proposed Amendment:

In the final resolve clause, after the words “combat global poverty,” add the words “and to be active advocates for the achievement of this work.”

Motion carried

Amendment adopted

The Bishop of Chicago moved an amendment.

Proposed Amendment:

In the fourth resolve clause, add a “s” to the word “diocese” and after the words, “or such day,” add the word, “as.”

Motion carried

Amendment adopted

The Bishop of Quincy moved an amendment.

Proposed Amendment:

In the first resolve clause, delete the words “in fulfillment of our Baptismal Covenant and as an expression of the hunger of this Church for far deeper communion with all of God’s beloved.”

Motion defeated

Amendment defeated

The Bishop of Northwestern Pennsylvania moved an amendment.

Proposed Amendment:

In the first resolve clause, add the words “parishes, missions, congregations, dioceses” after the word “commend.” In the fifth resolve clause, add the words “parishes, missions, congregations, and dioceses,” after the word “encourage” and delete the words “dioceses and parishes.” In the final resolve clause, add the words “parishes, missions, congregations, dioceses” after the words “call on all” and delete the words “dioceses, parishes.”

Motion carried

Amendment adopted

The Bishop of Milwaukee moved an amendment.

Proposed Amendment:

In the fourth resolve clause, delete the words “Feast of Christ the King (the last Sunday of the Church Year)” and after the words “designate the,” add the words “Last Sunday after Pentecost.”

Motion carried

Amendment adopted

The Bishop of Milwaukee moved an amendment.

Proposed Amendment:

In the first resolve clause, delete the word “national” and add the word “Episcopal” in its place.

Motion carried

Amendment adopted

The question was called.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on Resolution D022 as amended.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #63)

House of Deputies

At the request of the Chair of the House of Deputies Committee on National and International Concerns the Chair of Dispatch of Business moved to consider Resolution D022 at this time.

Motion carried

The House of Deputies Committee on National and International Concerns presented its Report #6 on HB Message #63 on Resolution D022 (MDGs and the ONE Episcopalian Campaign) and moved concurrence.

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #133)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, June 18.

Abstract:   The 75th General Convention establishes the Millennium Development Goals as a mission priority; designates funding for it; and endorses the "ONE Episcopalian" campaign in support of the MDGs.
Notes:  

Resolution D022 was reported to the House in place of A009, which was discharged.