The Acts of Convention

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on Social Justice and International Policy presented its Report #3 on Resolution D051 (Support Recommitment to Iran Nuclear Deal) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(D051)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 79th General Convention call attention to Jesus’ words, “Blessed are the peacemakers,” as central to the role of governments, Christians, and all people of good will in the conflicts of the world and in the effort to prevent proliferation of nuclear weapons in the Middle East and elsewhere; and be it further

Resolved, That this General Convention urge the United States to pursue carefully negotiated, multilateral international agreements in order to prevent nuclear proliferation and to achieve denuclearization; and be it further

Resolved, That this General Convention affirm the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran Nuclear Deal, that was agreed to in 2015 by Iran, the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council – China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States – and Germany and the European Union, and recognize the role of faith-based organizations and churches in assisting in the development of the Iran Nuclear Deal; and be it further

Resolved, That this General Convention oppose the May 2018 unilateral withdrawal of the United States from the Iran Nuclear Deal and urge the other parties to the agreement to persevere in their commitment to it; and be it further

Resolved, That this General Convention urge the United States Congress to enact legislation mandating that the United States rejoin the Iran Nuclear Deal, and to refrain from efforts, such as re-imposing sanctions without cause on Iran, that would further erode international confidence in the commitment of the United States to international agreements; and be further

Resolved, That this General Convention encourage the church’s Office of Governmental Relations in Washington to continue to advocate for U. S. adherence to the Iran Nuclear Deal; and be it further

Resolved, That this General Convention urge Episcopalians to commend this resolution to their senators and representatives in Congress.

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 79th General Convention, as followers of Jesus Christ, call attention to HisJesus’ words, “Blessed are the peacemakers,” as central to the role of governments, Christians, and all people of good will in the conflicts of the world and in the effort to prevent proliferation of nuclear weapons in the Middle East and elsewhere; and be it further

Resolved, That this General Convention urge the United States government to pursue carefully negotiated, multilateral international agreements in order to prevent nuclear proliferation and to achieve denuclearization; and be it further

Resolved, That this General Convention affirm the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran Nuclear Deal, that was agreed to in 2015 by Iran, the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council – China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America – and Germany and the European Union, and recognize the role of faith-based organizations and churches in assisting in the development of the Iran Nuclear Deal; and be it further

Resolved, That this General Convention oppose the May 2018 unilateral withdrawal of the United States of America from the Iran Nuclear Deal and urge the other parties to the agreement to persevere in their commitment to it; and be it further

Resolved, That this General Convention urge the United States Congress to enact legislation mandating that the United States of America rejoin the Iran Nuclear Deal, and to refrain from efforts, such as re-imposing sanctions without cause on Iran, that would further erode international confidence in the commitment of the United States of America to international agreements and further diminishes the trust and goodwill of the people of Iran toward the United States of America; and be it further

Resolved, That this General Convention recognize with deep concern and dismay the very detrimental impact of the withdrawal of the United States of America from the Iran Nuclear Deal and the imposition of sanctions on the lives of the people of Iran, especially Christians and other religious minorities; and be it further

Resolved, That this General Convention encourage the church’s Office of Governmental Relations in Washington to continue to advocate for U. S. adherence that the United States of America adhere to the Iran Nuclear Deal and cease all sanctions without cause on Iran; and be it further

Resolved, That this General Convention urge Episcopalians based in the United States of America to commend this resolution to their senators and representatives in Congress, and request the Episcopal Public Policy Network provide information and support to facilitate communication with senators and representatives in Congress.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #22)