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Resolution Number: 1982-D078
Title: Support Affirmative Action Programs Within the Church
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred
Final Text:

Resolved, That this 67th General Convention of the Episcopal Church:

  1. Commits this Church, in the implementation of its program for 1982-85, to support, through prayer, education, and courageous public witness, the strengthening and advancing of Affirmative Action programs heretofore implemented by the Federal government and the States;
  2. Commends the Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies for their efforts to make appointments to offices, committees, and commissions within this Church in such manner that minorities, women, and underprivileged persons of all kinds may be fairly and affirmatively represented at all levels of service and responsibility in this Church; and
  3. Encourages individual Dioceses and congregations to examine the composition of bodies providing leadership within their respective jurisdictions, with an eye that the membership of such bodies may be made more truly representative of our brothers and sisters who come from minority or underprivileged backgrounds.
Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, New Orleans, 1982 (New York: General Convention, 1983), p. C-145.

Legislative History

Author:
Originating House: House of Bishops
Originating Committee: Committee on Structure

House of Bishops

Original Text of Resolution:

(D078)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That this 67th General Convention of the Episcopal Church:

  1. Commits this Church, in the implementation of its program for 1982-85, to support, through prayer, education, and courageous public witness, the strengthening and advancing of Affirmative Action programs heretofore implemented by the Federal government and the States;
  2. Commends the Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies for their efforts to make appointments to offices, committees, and commissions within this Church in such manner that minorities, women, and underprivileged persons of all kinds may be fairly and affirmatively represented at all levels of service and responsibility in this Church; and
  3. Encourages individual Dioceses and congregations to examine the composition of bodies providing leadership within their respective jurisdictions, with an eye that the membership of such bodies may be made more truly representative of our brothers and sisters who come from minority or underprivileged backgrounds.

Seconded by the Bishop of Northern California.

Motion carried

[Resolution adopted]

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #79)

House of Deputies

On the ninth day, the Chairman of the Committee on Structure presented Report #20 and recommended that the House concur with Message #79 and the House of Bishops on Resolution D-78 (Affirmative Action).

Motion carried

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #166)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, September 13.

Abstract:   The 67th General Convention commits the Church to support affirmative action programs. It commends appointments of minorities, women, and the underprivileged. It encourages dioceses and congregations to examine the composition of their leadership bodies.