Resolution Number: 1988-B032
Title: Request the ACC to Assist With the Settlement of Refugee Bishops and Clergy
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred As Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That steps be taken to provide for the appropriate employment, support and maintenance of Anglican bishops, clergy, lay Church workers and their families who are forced by political or military circumstances in their home dioceses to flee from their dioceses; and be it further

Resolved, That the Anglican Consultative Council Secretary General's Emergency Fund be requested to cover costs until the member communions can welcome such bishops or clergy; and be it further

Resolved, That those who seek refuge in the United States be received by dioceses and parishes and helped so that they may be admitted as Special Immigrants and not be required to apply for political asylum; and be it further

Resolved, That the Presiding Bishop be requested to confer with the Anglican Consultative Council Secretary General as to the need for emergency funds for refugee bishops and clergy, and to designate an office (the Refugee and Migration Unit) as a clearinghouse to handle the immigration needs in the United States of such bishops or clergy and to inform the Church of the availability of any such refugee bishops or clergy.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Detroit, 1988 (New York: General Convention, 1989), p. 672.

Legislative History

Author:
Originating House: House of Bishops
Originating Committee: Committee on World Mission

House of Bishops

Original Text of Resolution:

(B032)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That steps be taken to provide for the appropriate employment, support and maintenance of Anglican bishops, clergy and their families who are forced by political or military circumstances in their home dioceses to flee from their dioceses; and be it further

Resolved, That the Anglican Consultative Council Secretary General's Emergency Fund be requested to cover costs until the member communions can welcome such bishops or clergy; and be it further

Resolved, That those who seek refuge in the United States be received by dioceses and parishes and helped so that they may be admitted as Special Immigrants and not be required to apply for political asylum; and be it further

Resolved, That the Presiding Bishop be requested to confer with the Anglican Consultative Council Secretary General as to the need for emergency funds for refugee bishops and clergy, and to designate an office (the Refugee and Migration Unit) as a clearinghouse to handle the immigration needs in the United States of such bishops or clergy and to inform the Church of the availability of any such refugee bishops or clergy.

Proposed Committee Amendment:

In the third line of the first Resolved, after the word "clergy" insert a comma and the words "lay Church workers."

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #152)

House of Deputies

The Committee on World Mission presented its Report #19 on House of Bishops Message #152 relating to Resolution B032a (Third World Clergy) and moved concurrence.

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #308)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 10.

Abstract:   The 69th General Convention calls for steps to be taken for the employment, support, and maintenance of Anglican bishops, clergy, and lay workers who are forced by political or military circumstances to flee their dioceses in developing countries.