| Resolution Number: | 2012-A128 |
|---|---|
| Title: | Examine Impact of Doctrine of Discovery |
| Legislative Action Taken: | Concurred as Amended |
| Final Text: | |
Resolved, That the 77th General Convention of The Episcopal Church, in the spirit of our Baptismal Covenant and in being inclusive, direct all dioceses to examine the impact the Doctrine of Discovery, as repudiated at the 76th General Convention, has had on all people, especially on persons of color, including racial discrimination, racial profiling and other acts of oppression; and be it further
Resolved, That the Historical Society of the Episcopal Church, the National Episcopal Historians and Archivists, and the Episcopal Women’s History Project, in consultation with the Standing Commission on Lifelong Christian Formation as well as diocesan historiographers and archivists, be requested to assist dioceses in documenting and explaining the effects of the Doctrine of Discovery, especially in the life of the church; and be it further
Resolved, That the Presiding Bishop, in consultation with the President of the House of Deputies, be asked to seek volunteer dioceses to develop appropriate written guidance about how a diocese may effectively document and explain the church’s historical role, negative and positive, in connection with the treatment of people of color, including African Americans and Native American people, as a result of the now-repudiated Doctrine of Discovery.
| Citation: | General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Indianapolis, 2012 (New York: General Convention, 2012), pp. 183-184. |
|---|
Legislative History
| Author: | Executive Council: Committee on Anti-Racism |
|---|---|
| Originating House: | House of Deputies |
| Originating Committee: | National and International Concerns |
House of Deputies
The House of Deputies Committee on National and International Concerns presented its Report #7 on Resolution A128 (Direct Dioceses to Examine Impact of Doctrine of Discovery) and moved adoption with amendment.
Original Text of Resolution
(A128)
Resolved, [the House of Bishops concurring, That] the 77th General Convention of The Episcopal Church, in the spirit of our Baptismal Covenant and in being inclusive, direct all dioceses to examine the impact the Doctrine of Discovery, as adopted at the 76th General Convention, has had on all people, especially on persons of color, including racial discrimination, racial profiling and other acts of oppression.
Committee Amendment
Resolved, [the House of Bishops concurring, That] the 77th General Convention of The Episcopal Church,
in the spirit of our Baptismal Covenant and in being inclusive, direct all
dioceses to examine the impact the Doctrine of Discovery, as adopted
repudiated at the 76th General Convention, has had on all people,
especially on persons of color, including racial discrimination, racial
profiling and other acts of oppression.; and be it further
Resolved, That the Historical Society of the Episcopal Church, the National Episcopal Historians and Archivists, and the Episcopal Women’s History Project, in consultation with the Standing Commission on Lifelong Christian Formation as well as diocesan historiographers and archivists, be requested to assist dioceses in documenting and explaining the effects of the Doctrine of Discovery, especially in the life of the church; and be it further
Resolved, That the Presiding Bishop, in consultation with the President of the House of Deputies, be asked to seek volunteer dioceses to develop appropriate written guidance about how a diocese may effectively document and explain the church’s historical role, negative and positive, in connection with the treatment of people of color, including African Americans and Native American people, as a result of the now-repudiated Doctrine of Discovery.
Motion carried
Resolution adopted with amendment
(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #80)
House of Bishops
The House of Bishops Committee on National and International Concerns presented its Report #7 on on HD Message #80 Resolution A128 (Direct Dioceses to Examine Impact of Doctrine of Discovery) and moved concurrence.
Motion carried
The House concurred
(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message # 131)
Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 9.
| Report Reference: | Executive Council: Committee on Anti-Racism, Reports to the 77th General Convention, 2012, pp. 591-595. |
|---|---|
| Abstract: | The 77th General Convention directs all dioceses, in cooperation with archivists and historians, to document how the now-repudiated Doctrine of Discovery has affected Church life in the Church, particularly in its treatment of people of color. |
| Notes: | According to sources on Wikipedia and the Doctrine of Discovery Study Group,"The Discovery Doctrine is a concept of public international law expounded by the United States Supreme Court in a series of decisions, initially in Johnson v. M'Intosh in 1823. Under it, title to newly discovered lands lay with the government whose subjects discovered new territory. The doctrine has been primarily used to support decisions invalidating or ignoring aboriginal possession of land in favor of colonial or post-colonial governments." |