Resolution Number: 2015-A159
Title: Promote a Healing Ministry to Those Affected by Addiction
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred as Substituted and Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That the 78th General Convention recognize that the field of substance use disorders and addiction has advanced substantially since 1985 when the 68th General Convention passed the current policy, acknowledging that alcohol use, addiction and recovery all involve biological, psychological, social and spiritual dimensions; and be it further

Resolved, That, as Holy Baptism is the entrance to the life of wholeness and holiness and addiction disrupts relationships with God, others, and ourselves, impairing body, mind, and spirit, the Church, respecting the dignity of every human being, has a moral and ethical responsibility to:

  1. Confront and repent of the Episcopal Church’s complicity in a culture of alcohol, denial, and enabling,
  2. Speak to cultural norms that promote addiction,
  3. Promote spiritual practices as a means of prevention and healing,
  4. Advocate for public funding and health insurance coverage for prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery, and collaborate with qualified community resources offering these services, and to respond with pastoral care and accountability.; and be it further

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church affirms the need for exercising a healing ministry to all whose lives are affected by addiction and encourages all members of The Episcopal Church to pursue healing in their personal, professional, relational and vocational lives, and to seek help at the first sign of the disease of addiction; and be it further

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church acknowledge that the epidemic of addiction has a severely adverse social, economic, environmental, and spiritual impact on all communities, and presents particular challenges to communities of marginalized people at home and abroad; and be it further

Resolved, The Episcopal Church directs dioceses to work in partnership with The Episcopal Church Medical Trust, Recovery Ministries of The Episcopal Church, and community-based organizations in order to address most effectively prevention, intervention/diversion, education, advocacy, treatment, and recovery, including developing a list of trained therapists and consultants who are available to assist clergy and laity in this education process.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Salt Lake City, 2015 (New York: General Convention, 2015), p. 320.

Legislative History

Author: Legislative Committee on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse
Originating House: House of Deputies
Originating Committee: Special Legislative Committee on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Special Legislative Committee on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse presented its Report #3 on Resolution A159 (The Role of the Church in the Culture of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse) and moved adoption of a substitute.

Original Text of Resolution:

(A159)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 78th General Convention recognize that the field of substance use disorders and addiction has advanced substantially since 1985 when the 68th General Convention passed the current policy, acknowledging that alcohol use, addiction and recovery all involve biological, psychological, social and spiritual dimensions. In addition, we acknowledge the adverse social, economic, environmental, and spiritual impact of substance use disorders and addiction on communities of marginalized people at home and abroad; and be it further

Resolved, That the Church, respecting the dignity of every human being, has a moral and ethical responsibility to:

  1. Confront and repent of the Episcopal Church’s complicity in a culture of alcohol,
  2. Speak to cultural norms that promote addiction,
  3. Promote spiritual practices as a means of prevention and healing,
  4. Advocate for public funding for prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery, and collaborate with qualified community resources offering prevention and intervention, treatment and recovery, and to respond with pastoral care and accountability.

Committee Substitute:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 78th General Convention recognize that the field of substance use disorders and addiction has advanced substantially since 1985 when the 68th General Convention passed the current policy, acknowledging that alcohol use, addiction and recovery all involve biological, psychological, social and spiritual dimensions; and be it further

Resolved, That, as Holy Baptism is the entrance to the life of wholeness and holiness and addiction disrupts relationships with God, others, and ourselves, impairing body, mind, and spirit, the Church, respecting the dignity of every human being, has a moral and ethical responsibility to:

  1. Confront and repent of the Episcopal Church’s complicity in a culture of alcohol, denial, and enabling,
  2. Speak to cultural norms that promote addiction,
  3. Promote spiritual practices as a means of prevention and healing,
  4. Advocate for public funding and health insurance coverage for prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery, and collaborate with qualified community resources offering these services, and to respond with pastoral care and accountability.; and be it further

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church affirms the need for exercising a healing ministry to all whose lives are affected by addiction and encourages all members of The Episcopal Church to pursue healing in their personal, professional, relational and vocational lives, and to seek help at the first sign of the disease of addiction; and be it further

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church acknowledge that the epidemic of addiction in the United States has a severely adverse social, economic, environmental, and spiritual impact on all communities, and presents particular challenges to communities of marginalized people at home and abroad; and be it further

Resolved, The Episcopal Church directs dioceses to work in partnership with The Episcopal Church Medical Trust, Recovery Ministries of The Episcopal Church, and community-based organizations in order to address most effectively prevention, intervention/diversion, education, advocacy, treatment, and recovery, including developing a list of trained therapists and consultants who are available to assist clergy and laity in this education process.

Deputy Rios of the Convocation of Churches in Europe moved to amend the resolution.

Proposed Amendment:

To strike "in the United States" in the fourth Resolve.

Motion carried

Amendment adopted

A vote was taken on the resolution.

Motion carried

Substitute resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #134)

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Special Legislative Committee on Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse presented its Report #3 on HD Message #134 on Resolution A159 (The Role of the Church in the Culture of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse) and moved concurrence.

Motion carried

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #167)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 1.

Abstract:   The 78th General Convention recognizes the Church's complicity in the culture of alcohol misuse and advocates for a ministry of healing, education, and advocacy for public funding, and directs dioceses to partner with others in addressing addiction prevention and recovery.