Resolution Number: 2009-A033
Title: Urge Peace with Justice in Southern Sudan
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred as Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That the 76th General Convention commends to Episcopalians the following recommendations of a joint delegation of bishops of The Episcopal Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America that traveled to the Sudan in April 2008; and urges continued advocacy and prayer from all Episcopalians for peace with justice in the Sudan, specifically:

(1) Renewed international commitment to the successful political implementation of Sudan’s Comprehensive Peace Agreement;

(2) Increased and better-coordinated economic-development and investment efforts, both public and private, in Southern Sudan;

(3) Internationally coordinated efforts to care for and resettle the several million refugees and persons who have been displaced internally as a consequence of the Sudan’s long-running conflicts;

(4) Condemnation of all violence perpetrated against refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs), specifically including the rape of women and girls in Darfur and elsewhere; and be it further

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church acknowledge the pleas of the Archbishop of The Episcopal Church of Sudan that urgent action be taken by all concerned parties to ensure the faithful implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) to prevent the deteriorating situation in Sudan from escalating into full scale war; and be it further

Resolved, That the 76th General Convention urge the United States Government to urgently request that nations who serve as guarantors of the CPA establish measures to hold parties to the CPA accountable for its fair and transparent implementation, including the fair resolution of border disputes, the equitable sharing of resources and the carrying out of safe and fair elections, and to assure that non-compliance have consequences; and be it further

Resolved, That the 76th General Convention urge the United States and its international partners request that the United Nations Mission in Sudan continue peacekeeping duties that include monitoring the peace process and intervening in conflicts to prevent loss of life, violence and widespread displacement.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Anaheim, 2009 (New York: General Convention, 2009), pp. 367-368.

Legislative History

Author: The Standing Commission on Anglican and International Peace with Justice Concerns
Originating House: House of Deputies
Originating Committee: Committee on National and International Concerns

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on National and International Concerns presented its Report #44 on Resolution A033 (Peace and Reconciliation in Southern Sudan) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(A033)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 76th General Convention commends to Episcopalians the report The Search for Peace and Reconciliation in Southern Sudan, published by a joint delegation of bishops in The Episcopal Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America that traveled to the Sudan in April 2008; and urges continued advocacy and prayer from all Episcopalians for peace with justice in the Sudan as outlined in this report, specifically: (1) Renewed international commitment to the successful political implementation of Sudan’s Comprehensive Peace Agreement; (2) Increased and better-coordinated economic-development and investment efforts, both public and private, in Southern Sudan; and (3) Internationally coordinated efforts to care for and resettle the more-than 600,000 refugees and persons who have been displaced internally as a consequence of the Sudan’s long-running conflicts.

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 76th General Convention commends to Episcopalians the report The Search for Peace and Reconciliation in Southern Sudan, published by a joint delegation of bishops in the following recommendations of a joint delegation of bishops of The Episcopal Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America that traveled to the Sudan in April 2008; and urges continued advocacy and prayer from all Episcopalians for peace with justice in the Sudan as outlined in this report, specifically:

(1) Renewed international commitment to the successful political implementation of Sudan’s Comprehensive Peace Agreement;

(2) Increased and better-coordinated economic-development and investment efforts, both public and private, in Southern Sudan; and

(3) Internationally coordinated efforts to care for and resettle the more-than 600,000 several million refugees and persons who have been displaced internally as a consequence of the Sudan’s long-running conflicts;

(4) Condemnation of all violence perpetrated against refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs), specifically including the rape of women and girls in Darfur and elsewhere.

And be it further

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church acknowledge the pleas of the Archbishop of The Episcopal Church of Sudan that urgent action be taken by all concerned parties to ensure the faithful implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) to prevent the deteriorating situation in Sudan from escalating into full scale war; and be it further

Resolved, That the 76th General Convention urge the United States government to urgently request that nations who serve as guarantors of the CPA establish measures to hold parties to the CPA accountable for its fair and transparent implementation, including the fair resolution of border disputes, the equitable sharing of resources, and the carrying out of safe and fair elections, and to assure that non-compliance have consequences; and be it further

Resolved, That the 76th General Convention urge the United States and its international partners request that the United Nations Mission in Sudan continue peacekeeping duties that include monitoring the peace process and intervening in conflicts to prevent loss of life, violence and widespread displacement.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #226)

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on National and International Concerns presented its Report #47 on HD Message #226 on Resolution A033 (Peace and Reconciliation in Southern Sudan) and moved concurrence.

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #280)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 17.

Report Reference:   Standing Commission on Anglican and International Peace with Justice Concerns, Reports to the 76th General Convention, 2009, pp. 91-104.
Abstract:   The 76th General Convention urges advocacy and prayer for peace and justice in the Sudan.