Resolves of the Executive Council

Resolved, That the Executive Council, meeting in Linthicum Heights, Maryland, from February 5-8, 2017, recognizes, with thanks, over seventy-five years of refugee resettlement work by Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM), acknowledges that almost sixty General Convention resolutions in the last forty years have addressed work with and advocacy for refugees, and is deeply mindful that the Old and New Testaments of the Holy Bible require us to care for the alien and for strangers; and be it further

Resolved, That the Presiding Bishop, in consultation with the President of the House of Deputies, the Chief Legal Officer, the Executive Committee of Executive Council, the Office of Government Relations, and Episcopal Migration Ministries, is requested to investigate whether it is appropriate and advisable for the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society to file or intervene in litigation in order to defend the refugee resettlement ministry of EMM and to contest the imposition of any religious test upon any refugee, asylum seeker, or other person seeking residence, asylum or lawful entry into the United States, as such tests are contrary to our faith and contrary to a good faith construction of the U.S. Constitution and governing federal law; and be it further

Resolved, That the Presiding Bishop is requested to bring a report on such investigation, along with any recommendations, to the next regular meeting of Executive Council, or to an earlier meeting of Executive Council or Executive Committee if earlier action is appropriate; and be it further

Resolved, That regular, detailed reports of any such litigation that may be filed shall be regularly provided by the Chief Legal Officer in confidence to the members of Executive Council, in keeping with the requirements of the approved job description for the Chief Legal Officer; and be it further

Resolved, That the Presiding Bishop be requested to convey to the Bishop of Olympia the strong support of this Executive Council for his and the Diocese’s efforts for the ministry of the Diocese of Olympia regarding refugees.