The Acts of Convention

Resolved, That the 70th General Convention of the Episcopal Church instruct the Episcopal Migration Ministries and the Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief to give high priority to the repatriation of Liberians to their homeland and to resettlement programs for those unable to return home; and be it further

Resolved, That the dioceses and congregations of this Church offer sponsorship opportunities for Liberians in need of resettlement; and be it further

Resolved, That the dioceses, congregations and people of this Church be encouraged to be constant in prayer and generous in offering financial support through the PBFWR for the Episcopal Church of Liberia as it faces the pastoral challenges of reconciliation and healing, and the physical rehabilitation and reconstruction of church buildings, Cuttington University College and other educational and social institutions; and be it further

Resolved, That this General Convention affirm its support of the Liberian Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Act (S.413) proposed by Senator Edward M. Kennedy and Congressman Mervin Dymally, and urge the Bush Administration to enlist the support of the international community to assist in the reconstruction of Liberia; and be it further

Resolved, That this General Convention appeal to the U.S. Secretary of State and to the Commissioner of Immigration to instruct U.S. Consular and Immigration Officers to be compassionate in the interpretation of visa regulations and in their treatment of Liberians desiring to travel to the U.S. either for urgent family reasons (marriages, terminal illness, death) or to continue their education, and who have every intention to return home; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this Resolution be sent to the Bishop of Liberia, the U.S. Secretary of State, the Commissioner of Immigration, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Congressman Mervin Dymally, and the Anglican Observer to the United Nations.