Resolution Number: 2015-D025
Title: Abolish the Death Penalty
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred as Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That the 78th General Convention of The Episcopal Church reaffirm its longstanding call to put an end to the death penalty in recognition that the death penalty remains legal in thirty-one states and in federal jurisdictions with over 3,000 persons awaiting execution; and that the death penalty is disproportionately applied to the poor and to minorities and is in direct opposition to the witness of Jesus; and be it further

Resolved, That this resolution be forwarded to governors in all states where the death penalty is legal, encouraging them to submit and support legislation in their respective states to abolish the death penalty; and be it further

Resolved, That this resolution be forwarded to the bishops in all states where the death penalty is legal, encouraging them to appoint task forces of clergy and lay persons to develop a witness to eliminate the death penalty, and requesting that these bishops report back on their actions to the Standing Commission on Justice and Public Policy prior to the 79th General Convention.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Salt Lake City, 2015 (New York: General Convention, 2015), p. 304.

Legislative History

Author: The Rev. William Exner
Originating House: House of Deputies
Originating Committee: Social Justice and United States Policy

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on Social Justice and United States Policy presented its Report #20 on Resolution D025 (Abolish the Death Penalty State by State) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(D025)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 78th General Convention of The Episcopal Church reaffirm its longstanding call to put an end to the Death Penalty in recognition that the Death Penalty remains legal in thirty-two states with over 3,000 men and women awaiting execution and that the Death Penalty is disproportionally applied to the poor and to minorities and is in direct opposition to the witness of Jesus; and be it further

Resolved, That this resolution be forwarded to governors in the thirty-two states where the Dealth Penalty is still legal, encouraging them to submit and support legislation in their respective states that would repeal immediately the Death Penalty laws; and be it further

Resolved, That this resolution be forwarded to the bishops in the thirty-two states where the Death Penalty is still legal, encouraging them to appoint task forces of clergy and lay persons to develop a witness to eliminate the Death Penalty in their particular states, and requesting that these bishops report back on their actions to the Standing Commission on Justice and Public Policy prior to the 79th General Convention.

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 78th General Convention of The Episcopal Church reaffirm its longstanding call to put an end to the Ddeath Ppenalty in recognition that the Ddeath Ppenalty remains legal in thirty-two one states and in federal jurisdictions with over 3,000 men and women persons awaiting execution; and that the Ddeath Ppenalty is disproportionately applied to the poor and to minorities and is in direct opposition to the witness of Jesus; and be it further

Resolved, That this resolution be forwarded to governors in the thirty-two all states where the Ddeath Ppenalty is still legal, encouraging them to submit and support legislation in their respective states that would repeal immediately to abolish the Ddeath Ppenalty laws; and be it further

Resolved, That this resolution be forwarded to the bishops in the thirty-two states all states where the Ddeath Ppenalty is still legal, encouraging them to appoint task forces of clergy and lay persons to develop a witness to eliminate the Ddeath Ppenalty in their particular states, and requesting that these bishops report back on their actions to the Standing Commission on Justice and Public Policy prior to the 79th General Convention.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #65)

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on Social Justice and United States Policy presented its Report #12 on HD Message #65 on Resolution D025 (Abolish the Death Penalty State by State) and moved concurrence.

Motion carried

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #163)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, June 30.

Abstract:   The 78th General Convention reaffirms its call to end the death penalty and urges legislation for the elimination of the death penalty in all states where it is still legal.