Resolves of the Executive Council

Resolved, That the Executive Council meeting in Toronto, Canada, November 7-12, 1996, reaffirms its February 13-17, 1995, resolution, which supported fundamental reform of the welfare system "to break the cycle of dependency…and to empower individuals with the tools to take responsibility for their own lives, such as jobs, education, training, low cost housing, and language skills"; and be it further

Resolved, That realizing we have the resources to be part of the solution, we make witness to our baptismal covenant asking each diocese, congregation and individual member to use these many gifts to assist in breaking the cycle of dependency; and be it further

Resolved, That the Executive Council urges the United States Congress and President to support state efforts to reform the welfare system by not simply requiring welfare recipients to find jobs, but providing resources to help recipients find jobs, such as job placement, job training, education, and other forms of assistance; and be it further

Resolved, That dioceses, congregations, and individual members of the Church in concert with other faith communities be encouraged to monitor vigilantly the activities of their state governments in implementing welfare programs, and to bring the Christian message of compassion for and empowerment of those who are poor to their state policy makers; and be it further

Resolved, That the Church's Office of Government Relations in Washington, D.C. continue to monitor federal activity related to welfare reform, inform the wider Church through the Public Policy Network as to such activity, and continue to advocate for federal policies that support the Church's position on this issue.