The Acts of Convention

House of Deputies

Original Text of Resolution:

(B008)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 71st General Convention of the Episcopal Church designate Sunday, August 6, 1995, which is both the Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ and the 50th anniversary of the nuclear bombing of the city of Hiroshima, Japan by the United States, as this Church's official observance of the end of World War II and the beginning of the bondage of the nuclear age; and be it further

Resolved, That this observance include suitable liturgical expressions of sorrow and repentance for the suffering inflicted upon innocent people as a result of the nuclear bombings of the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, on August 6 and 9 respectively; and be it further

Resolved, That the Episcopal Church in the United States seek ways to jointly commemorate this observance with the Nippon Sei Ko Kai, and with human rights and peace organizations of both the United States and Japan, and that those dioceses and parishes in partner relationships with diocese and parishes in Japan be especially encouraged to observe the anniversary jointly by exchange visits, conferences, pilgrimages, projects, and other appropriate efforts, including initiation of discussions on ways to repair the human and natural destruction brought about by war-making on the parts of both nations against each other and against other nations; and be it further

Resolved, That the Episcopal Church join in appropriate ecumenical observances of the end of World War II and the founding of the United Nations, keeping in remembrance both the suffering and the imposition of suffering by all sides in any war, and asking God's forgiveness for our complicity as a people; and be it further

Resolved, That members of the Episcopal Church take special care in the course of the 50th anniversary commemorations to work against any "Japan bashing" or other racist behavior; and be it further

Resolved, That the Episcopal Church recommit itself as an institution, and ask its members to commit themselves individually to work actively for the complete abolition of nuclear testing, waste disposal or mining; and be it further

Resolved, That the resources of the Episcopal Church Center, including the Washington Office of the Episcopal Church, in cooperation with other appropriate Church related bodies, including unofficial organizations, be used to identify or develop curricula, study guides, worship and liturgical resources, bulletin inserts, and other resources for distribution to local congregations for study and action on issues of nuclearism.

Proposed Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 71st General Convention of the Episcopal Church designate notes that Sunday, August 6, 1995, which is both the Feast of the Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ and coincides with the 50th anniversary of the nuclear bombing of the city of Hiroshima, Japan by the United States; as this Church's official observance of the end of World War II and the beginning of the bondage of the nuclear age; and be it further

Resolved, That this observance include suitable liturgical expressions of sorrow and repentance for the suffering inflicted upon innocent people as a result of the nuclear bombings of the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, on August 6 and 9 respectively; and be it further

Resolved, That the Episcopal Church in the United States seek ways with appropriate liturgical commemorations, to observe jointly commemorate this observance anniversary with the Nippon Sei Ko Kai, and with human rights and peace organizations of both the United States and Japan, and that those dioceses and parishes in partner relationships with diocese and parishes in Japan be especially encouraged to observe the anniversary jointly by exchange visits, conferences, pilgrimages, projects, and other appropriate efforts, including initiation of discussions on ways to repair the human and natural destruction brought about by war-making on the parts of both nations against each other and against other nations; and be it further

Resolved, That the Episcopal Church join in appropriate ecumenical observances of the end of World War II and the founding of the United Nations, keeping in remembrance both the suffering and the imposition of suffering by all sides in any war, and asking God's forgiveness for our complicity as a people; and be it further

Resolved, That members of the Episcopal Church take special care in the course of the 50th anniversary commemorations to work against any "Japan bashing" or other racist behavior; and be it further

Resolved, That the Episcopal Church recommit itself as an institution, and ask its members to commit themselves individually. to work actively for the complete abolition of nuclear war testing, waste disposal or mining; and be it further

Resolved, That the resources of the Episcopal Church Center, including the Washington Office of the Episcopal Church, in cooperation with other appropriate Church related bodies, including unofficial organizations, be used to identify or develop curricula, study guides, worship and liturgical resources, bulletin inserts, and other resources for distribution to use by dioceses and by local congregations for study and action on issues of nuclearism.

Debate followed on B008.

The question was called to terminate debate on B008.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on B008, as amended.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #160)