The Acts of Convention

House of Deputies

Original Text of Resolution:

(A108)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That this 72nd General Convention, responsive to widespread regional conflict in central Africa, endorse the following statement by the 1996 Anglican Consultative Council (ACC):

In the light of continuing tension in Rwanda, and within the Episcopal Church of Rwanda, this Council:

1. urges the Anglican Communion to continue its prayer for the people, Government and Church in Rwanda;
2. in the quest for peace, we urge the Episcopal Church of Rwanda never to abandon its call to be God's instrument of justice and reconciliation without which no peace in Rwanda can be lasting;
3. in the light of steps taken both by the Provincial Synod EER [Episcopal Church of Rwanda] and the Archbishop of Canterbury, to persuade the bishops in exile to return to their dioceses, or to resign, and given that these bishops have not responded to these calls, we recognize that those sees are now vacant, and request the authorities in those dioceses to communicate this to their respective bishops, and to record this action in their records. (In this respect, we refer to the Dioceses of Cyangugu, Kibungo, Shyira, and Shyogwe);
4. we urge the Church leadership, in consequence, in consultation as necessary with the secular authorities, to set in motion legal procedures to elect bishops to those four vacant sees; and as soon as possible after these elections and consecrations, to call a Provincial Synod meeting in order to finalize a Provincial Constitution;
5. not only do we applaud and support the initiatives which have been taken by the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Secretary-General [of the ACC], and the Archbishop's special envoy to Rwanda, the Right Reverend David Birney, but we offer our continued support and encouragement to them to take such future initiatives as they think necessary, consulting where possible the Primates of the Communion, the ACC Standing Committee, and other representatives of the Communion whose special knowledge of the situation may aid the process.
   

Proposed Committee Substitute:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 72nd General Convention express its continuing concern for the suffering and hardships affecting L'Eglise Episcopale du Rwanda, following the genocidal war and conflict in that country, recognize the positive steps taken in filling vacant bishoprics, and pray that L'Eglise Episcopale du Rwanda may "never abandon its call to be God's instrument of justice and reconciliation without which no peace in Rwanda can be lasting." (Anglican Consultative Council 1996)

Motion carried

Substitute resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #46)