| Resolution Number: | 1991-D127 |
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| Title: | Affirm Support for Religious Freedom in the People's Republic of China |
| Legislative Action Taken: | Concurred As Amended |
| Final Text: | |
Resolved, That the 70th General Convention of the Episcopal Church call on the government of the People's Republic of China to release Liu Huanwen and Xu Yongze as a sign of good will and cooperation; and be it further
Resolved, That the Episcopal Church support the rights of Chinese Christians to form associations free from government control and that these associations be permitted contact with co-religionists outside of China; and be it further
Resolved, That the Episcopal Church affirm its support for religious freedom for Christians in the People's Republic of China to worship and express their faith without fear or hindrance, and for the recognition of all human rights by the government; and be it further
Resolved, That the Executive Council encourage the organization of delegations of clergy and laity to the People's Republic of China to meet with government and church leaders to encourage the guarantee of religious liberty for all believers; and be it further
Resolved, That all official Episcopal representatives on delegations to China, including those on trips sponsored by ecumenical bodies, present to government leaders in the People's Republic of China the names of known religious prisoners of conscience, as identified by Amnesty International, and other such organizations; and be it further
Resolved, That the findings of these delegations be made publicly available through news organizations and the publications of the Episcopal Church; and be it further
Resolved, That the Convention call on the government of the People's Republic of China to release all political prisoners being held because of their religious activities and permit them to function freely, without interference from the state; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be delivered to the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the United States, the Secretary of State of the United States, the Chairman of the Committees on Ways and Means and on Foreign Affairs of the U.S. House of Representatives, and to the Chairman of the Finance and Foreign Relations Committees of the United States Senate.
| Citation: | General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Phoenix, 1991 (New York: General Convention, 1992), p. 245. |
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Legislative History
| Author: | |
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| Originating House: | House of Deputies |
| Originating Committee: | Committee on National and International Problems |
House of Deputies
Original Text of Resolution:
(D127)
Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 70th General Convention of the Episcopal Church call on the government of the People's Republic of China to release Liu Huanwen and Xu Yongze as a sign of good will and cooperation; and be it further
Resolved, That the Episcopal Church support the rights of Chinese Christians to form associations free from government control and that these associations be permitted contact with co-religionists outside of China; and be it further
Resolved, That the Episcopal Church affirm its support for religious freedom for Christians in the People's Republic of China to worship and express their faith without fear or hindrance, and for the recognition of all human rights by the government; and be it further
Resolved, That the Executive Council encourage the organization of delegations of clergy and laity to the People's Republic of China to meet with government and church leaders to encourage the guarantee of religious liberty for all believers; and be it further
Resolved, That all official Episcopal representatives on delegations to China, including those on trips sponsored by ecumenical bodies, present to government leaders in the People's Republic of China the names of known religious prisoners of conscience, as identified by Amnesty International, Christian Solidarity International, the Puebla Institute, and other such organizations; and be it further
Resolved, That the findings of these delegations be made publicly available through news organizations and the publications of the Episcopal Church; and be it further
Resolved, That the Convention call on the government of the People's Republic of China to release all political prisoners being held because of their religious activities and permit them to function freely, without interference from the state; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be delivered to the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the United States, the Secretary of State of the United States, the Chairman of the Committees on Ways and Means and on Foreign Affairs of the U.S. House of Representatives, and to the Chairman of the Finance and Foreign Relations Committees of the United States Senate.
Proposed Committee Amendment:
In the fifth Resolved, delete the words "Christian Solidarity International, The Puebla Institute."
Motion carried
Resolution adopted with amendment
(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #73)
House of Bishops
The Committee on National and International Problems presented its Report #25 on House of Deputies Message #73 on Resolution D127a (Religious Freedom in People's Republic of China) and recommended concurrence.
The House concurred
(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #186)
Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 17.
| Abstract: | The 70th General Convention calls on the Chinese government to release Liu Huanwen and Xu Yongze. It affirms support for unhindered religious freedom for Christians in China, and it suggests specific actions by Episcopalians to promote human rights for religious prisoners. |
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