Resolution Number: 2015-A047
Title: Address Moral and Spiritual Healing from Traumatic Stress Injuries
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred as Substituted
Final Text:

Resolved, That the 78th General Convention of The Episcopal Church call the Church to a triennium of pastoral care and Christian formation that is focused upon those whose lives have been directly and indirectly impacted by exposure to traumatic events related to global and domestic terrorism, the violence of warfare, and displacement through natural and man-made disasters, to address the effects of massive and chronic exposure to these particular expressions of violence and global chaos; and be it further

Resolved, That a consortium be formed among the of the Office of Global Partnerships; the Office of the Bishop Suffragan for the Armed Forces and Federal Ministries; the Office of Diversity, Social, and Environmental Ministries; and Episcopal Migration Ministries, along with representatives of the Church appointed by the Executive Council, to consult with relevant experts in the field, to collect and make available relevant resources, and to coordinate communication among a wide network of ministries focused upon healing from traumatic stress injuries related to warfare, terrorism, and population displacement; and be it further

Resolved, That the same consortium make available to military chaplains, parish clergy, and lay ministers resources and training specific to helping them address the needs of uniformed men and women of the armed forces and of veterans who either continue to be directly or virtually involved in global combat engagements or who are returning from service with “spiritual and moral injuries;” and be it further

Resolved, That the same consortium work with Anglican Communion partners and with migration and refugee organizations to develop or disseminate resources for the relief of traumatic stress and to promote spiritual healing for women, men, and children who are affected by terrorist organizations that continue to be intent on harming innocent, non-combatant populations through intimidation, recruitment, physical violence, and geographic displacement; who are the non-combatant victims of military engagements; or who are the subjects of population displacements due to terrorism, military combat, or large scale environmental disasters.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Salt Lake City, 2015 (New York: General Convention, 2015), p. 836.

Legislative History

Author: Standing Commission on Anglican and International Peace with Justice Concerns
Originating House: House of Bishops
Originating Committee: Social Justice and International Policy

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on Social Justice and International Policy presented its Report #7 on Resolution A047 (Address Moral and Spiritual Injury in the Context of Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress) and moved adoption of a substitute.

Original Text of Resolution:

(A047)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 78th General Convention of The Episcopal Church call the Church to a triennium of pastoral care and Christian formation that is focused upon those whose lives have been directly and indirectly impacted by exposure to traumatic events related to global and domestic terrorism, the violence of warfare, and displacement through natural and man-made disasters, to address the effects of massive and chronic exposure to these particular expressions of violence and global chaos; and be it further

Resolved, That a consortium be formed among the of the Office of Global Partnerships; the Office of the Bishop Suffragan for the Armed Forces and Federal Ministries; the Office of Diversity, Social, and Environmental Ministries; and Episcopal Migration Ministries, along with representatives of the Church appointed by the Executive Council, to consult with relevant experts in the field, to collect and make available relevant resources, and to coordinate communication among a wide network of ministries focused upon healing from traumatic stress injuries related to warfare, terrorism, and population displacement; and be it further

Resolved, That the same consortium make available to military chaplains, parish clergy, and lay ministers resources and training specific to helping them address the needs of uniformed men and women of the armed forces and of veterans who either continue to be directly or virtually involved in global combat engagements or who are returning from service with “spiritual and moral injuries;” and be it further

Resolved, That the same consortium work with Anglican Communion partners and with migration and refugee organizations to develop or disseminate resources for the relief of traumatic stress and to promote spiritual healing for women, men, and children who are affected by terrorist organizations that continue to be intent on harming innocent, non-combatant populations through intimidation, recruitment, physical violence, and geographic displacement; who are the non-combatant victims of military engagements; or who are the subjects of population displacements due to terrorism, military combat, or large scale environmental disasters; and be it further

Resolved, That the same consortium present annual progress reports to the Executive Council, and a triennial report to the 79th General Convention of The Episcopal Church, on the progress that has been made to address this need, with recommendations for further action; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention request the Joint Standing Committee on Program, Budget, and Finance to consider a budget allocation of $20,000 for the implementation of this resolution.

Committee Substitute:

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 78th General Convention of The Episcopal Church call the Church to a triennium of pastoral care and Christian formation that is focused upon those whose lives have been directly and indirectly impacted by exposure to traumatic events related to global and domestic terrorism, the violence of warfare, and displacement through natural and man-made disasters, to address the effects of massive and chronic exposure to these particular expressions of violence and global chaos; and be it further

Resolved, That a consortium be formed among the of the Office of Global Partnerships; the Office of the Bishop Suffragan for the Armed Forces and Federal Ministries; the Office of Diversity, Social, and Environmental Ministries; and Episcopal Migration Ministries, along with representatives of the Church appointed by the Executive Council, to consult with relevant experts in the field, to collect and make available relevant resources, and to coordinate communication among a wide network of ministries focused upon healing from traumatic stress injuries related to warfare, terrorism, and population displacement; and be it further

Resolved, That the same consortium make available to military chaplains, parish clergy, and lay ministers resources and training specific to helping them address the needs of uniformed men and women of the armed forces and of veterans who either continue to be directly or virtually involved in global combat engagements or who are returning from service with “spiritual and moral injuries;” and be it further

Resolved, That the same consortium work with Anglican Communion partners and with migration and refugee organizations to develop or disseminate resources for the relief of traumatic stress and to promote spiritual healing for women, men, and children who are affected by terrorist organizations that continue to be intent on harming innocent, non-combatant populations through intimidation, recruitment, physical violence, and geographic displacement; who are the non-combatant victims of military engagements; or who are the subjects of population displacements due to terrorism, military combat, or large scale environmental disasters.

Motion carried

Substitute resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #109)

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on Social Justice and International Policy presented its Report #12 on HB Message #109 on Resolution A047 (Address Moral and Spiritual Injury in the Context of Trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress) and moved concurrence.

Motion carried

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #266)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 2.

Report Reference:   Standing Commission on Anglican and International Peace with Justice Concerns, Reports to the 78th General Convention, 2015, pp. 293-308.
Abstract:   The 78th General Convention calls the Church to provide pastoral care and for those suffering from exposure to traumatic events; and to form a consortium to gather and distribute information and provide training to help address the needs of those with spiritual and moral injuries.