The Acts of Convention

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on Social Justice and International Policy presented its Report #1 on Resolution A021 (Support for the United Nations) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(A021)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring,

That the 80th General Convention applaud the United Nations on its 75th anniversary and recall the prophetic role Episcopalians and The Episcopal Church played in its inception, including modeling a universal fellowship of peace-loving communities, shaping its founding principles, supporting its formation in 1945 through the actions of General Convention, and inspiring the Universal Declaration of Human Rights through the faithful public service of Eleanor Roosevelt and other Episcopalians; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention express gratitude to the United Nations for its leadership over three quarters of a century in promoting multilateralism and fostering dialogue among nations of the world, maintaining international peace and security, protecting human rights, delivering humanitarian aid, promoting sustainable development, and upholding international law; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention affirm the critical importance of the United Nations in addressing contemporary global challenges, including the spread of disease, dislocation of migrants and refugees, rise of climate change, persistence of poverty, discrimination in all its forms and intersectionalities, abuse of human rights, and threats of violence, conflict, and war; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention recommit The Episcopal Church to active engagement with the United Nations in its special consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council and the observer organization status in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and through the ministries of the Office of Global Partnerships and Mission Personnel and the Episcopal Church Representative to the UN, and the efforts of individual Episcopalians; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention urge all nations, especially the United States, to support the United Nations and its offices, programs and funds, as well as related specialized agencies through their active participation and full payment of their assessed financial contributions; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention call on all nations, especially the United States, to participate in the formulation, signature, ratification and implementation of United Nations Declarations, Treaties, Agreements and Conventions to resolve global concerns, especially those which protect the most vulnerable; and be it further

Resolved, That all Episcopalians seek ways to fulfill our baptismal covenant to “strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being” by endeavoring in our local parishes and dioceses to inform, educate, raise awareness, and develop programs to contribute to the work of the United Nations; and be it further

Resolved, That all Episcopalians observe United Nations Day annually on October 24, and pray for the UN’s continued success in building a more peaceful, just, and prosperous world in accord with Jesus’ call to us to love our neighbor as ourselves, care for our world, heal the sick, welcome the stranger, feed the hungry, serve the poor and proclaim the Good News; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention give thanks for the continued support and partnership of the Anglican Communion in common ministry at the United Nations and encourage collaboration and mutual support for all Anglicans while uplifting Episcopal voices and concerns through Episcopal representation at the United Nations.

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring,

That the this 80th General Convention applaud the United Nations on its 75th anniversary and recall the prophetic role Episcopalians and The Episcopal Church played in its inception, including modeling a universal fellowship of peace-loving communities, shaping its founding principles, supporting its formation in 1945 through the actions of General Convention, and inspiring the Universal Declaration of Human Rights through the faithful public service of Eleanor Roosevelt and other Episcopalians; and be it further

Resolved, That the 80th General Convention express gratitude to the United Nations for its leadership over three quarters of a century in promoting multilateralism and fostering dialogue among nations of the world, maintaining international peace and security, protecting human rights, delivering humanitarian aid, promoting sustainable development, and upholding international law; and be it further

Resolved, That the 80th General Convention affirm the critical importance of the United Nations in addressing contemporary global challenges, including the spread of disease, dislocation of migrants and refugees, rise of climate change, persistence of poverty, discrimination in all its forms and intersectionalities, abuse of human rights, and threats of violence, conflict, and war; and be it further

Resolved, That the 80th General Convention recommit The Episcopal Church to active engagement with the United Nations in its special consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council and the observer organization status in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and through the ministries of the Office of Global Partnerships and Mission Personnel and the Episcopal Church Representative to the UN, and the efforts of individual Episcopalians; and be it further

Resolved, That the 80th General Convention urge all nations, especially the United States, to support the United Nations and its offices, programs and funds, as well as related specialized agencies through their active participation and full payment of their assessed financial contributions; and be it further

Resolved, That the 80th General Convention call on all nations, especially the United States, to participate in the formulation, signature, ratification and implementation of United Nations Declarations, Treaties, Agreements and Conventions to resolve global concerns, especially those which protect the most vulnerable; and be it further

Resolved, That all Episcopalians seek ways to fulfill our baptismal covenant to “strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being” by endeavoring in our local parishes and dioceses to inform, educate, raise awareness, and develop programs to contribute to the work of the United Nations; and be it further

Resolved, That all Episcopalians observe United Nations Day annually on October 24, and pray for the UN’s continued success in building a more peaceful, just, and prosperous world in accord with Jesus’ call to us to love our neighbor as ourselves, care for our world, heal the sick, welcome the stranger, feed the hungry, serve the poor and proclaim the Good News; and be it further

Resolved, That the 80th General Convention give thanks for the continued support and partnership of the Anglican Communion in common ministry at the United Nations and encourage collaboration and mutual support for all Anglicans while uplifting Episcopal voices and concerns through Episcopal representation at the United Nations; and be it further

Resolved, That the 80th General Convention requests the Office of Government relations to communicate this resolution to the Secretary of State of the United States as well as the Secretary general of the United Nations.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #13)