Resolution Number: 1985-D062
Title: Recognize and Respond to the Tragedy of the AIDS Crisis
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred As Substituted and Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That this 68th General Convention of the Episcopal Church recognize with love and compassion the tragic human suffering and loss of life involved in the AIDS epidemic; and be it further

Resolved, That it repudiates any and all indiscriminate statements which condemn or reject the victims of AIDS; and be it further

Resolved, That the Executive Council is charged with:

  1. The development of special intercessory prayers for people affected by the AIDS crisis;
  2. The development and funding of programs of awareness, education and prevention concerning AIDS;
  3. The identification and funding of programs for ministry to all persons affected by AIDS;
  4. The implementation of these programs beginning no later than March, 1986, by appropriate program units of the dioceses, parishes and missions of this Church;

and be it further

Resolved, That the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church is requested to establish and lead a National Day of Prayer and Healing with special intentions for the AIDS crisis, and to communicate the concerns presented in this resolution to the President of the United States urging long term, substantial federal funding for research.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Anaheim, 1985 (New York: General Convention, 1986), p. 169.

Legislative History

Author:
Originating House: House of Deputies
Originating Committee: Committee on Social and Urban Affairs

House of Deputies

Original Text of Resolution:

(D062)

Resolved, The House of Bishops concurring, That this 68th General Convention of the Episcopal Church in the U.S.A. recognize with love and compassion the tragic human suffering and loss of life involved in the AIDS epidemic; and be it further

Resolved, That this 68th General Convention repudiate what has been the most visual and vocal response to the AIDS epidemic from the Christian community, a response of condemnation and rejection for persons with AIDS as well as for members of those communities identified as being at highest risk for AIDS; and be it further

Resolved, That the Executive Council be charged with:

  1. The development of special intercessory prayers for the AIDS crisis;
  2. The development of programs of awareness and education concerning AIDS;
  3. The identification of programs for ministry to all persons affected by AIDS;
  4. The development of programs of AIDS prevention education; and
  5. Giving high priority for funding to AIDS related program; and
  6. That the implementation of these programs should be no later than March, 1986, by existing program units of the dioceses, parishes and missions of this Church; and
  7. That the Executive Council shall report back to the 69th General Convention any accomplishments, comments, feedback and remarks, both positive and negative, concerning the results of these programs; and be it further

Resolved, That the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church is requested to establish and lead a National Day of Prayer and Healing with special intentions for the AIDS crisis, and to communicate the concerns presented in this resolution to the Vice-President of the United States and all members of the Episcopal Church serving in the Congress of the United States.

Proposed Committee Substitute:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That this 68th General Convention of the Episcopal Church recognize with love and compassion the tragic human suffering and loss of life involved in the AIDS epidemic; and be it further

Resolved, That it repudiate any and all indiscriminate statements which condemn or reject the victims of AIDS; and be it further

Resolved, That the Executive Council is charged with:

  1. The development of special intercessory prayers for people affected by the AIDS crisis;
  2. The development and funding of programs of awareness, education, and prevention concerning AIDS;
  3. The identification and funding of programs for ministry to all persons affected by AIDS; and
  4. The implementation of these programs beginning no later than March of 1986 by appropriate program units of the dioceses, parishes, and missions of this Church; and be it further

Resolved, That the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church is requested to establish and lead a National Day of Prayer and Healing with special intentions for the AIDS crisis, and to communicate the concerns presented in this resolution to the President of the United States urging long term, substantial federal funding for research.

The previous question was called.

Debate terminated.

The vote to adopt the Substitute Resolution was taken.

Motion carried

Substitute resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #63)

House of Bishops

The following message was received from the House of Deputies:

HD Message #63: D062 Substitute (Response to AIDS Crisis).

The Bishop of Springfield moved the following amendment:

Proposed Amendment:

Be it further

Resolved, that we call upon all those who carry this disease, to show their concern for other human beings by refraining from sexual contact and by giving of blood which would endanger the lives of others.

Seconded by Bishop Campbell.

Amendment defeated

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #93)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, September 10.

Abstract:   The 68th General Convention recognizes the suffering and loss of life in the AIDS epidemic and requests development of ministry in this area.