Resolution Number: 2006-D020
Title: Oppose the War in Iraq and Support Nonviolent Means to Ending Conflict
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred as Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That the 75th General Convention of The Episcopal Church affirm the conclusion of the October 1, 2002 letter of the House of Bishops to members of Congress, stating that the conditions of the “Just War” tradition have not been met in the national government’s decision to attack the nation of Iraq; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention of The Episcopal Church call upon the Congress and the President to immediately develop for implementation a plan for the stabilization of Iraq, to be followed by the prompt withdrawal of U.S. Armed Forces from Iraq, to provide for a transfer of peacekeeping functions to an international peacekeeping force, to work through international and Iraqi organizations in the reconstruction of Iraq’s civil and economic infrastructure, and for the full restoration of Iraqi sovereignty; and be it further

Resolved, That the 75th General Convention call on The Episcopal Church to acknowledge and confess that our government’s participation in the war in Iraq has resulted in individual and global injustices including passive acceptance of the loss of our military personnel, lack of support and care for those returning home, indifference to the loss of countless Iraqi citizens, silent response to atrocities, illegal confinement without representation or formal charges and torture; and be it further

Resolved, That the 75th General Convention call on The Episcopal Church to request the Ecumenical and Interfaith Officer to step-up dialogue with the Iraqi Muslim and Christian community to work toward nonviolent resolutions to conflict; and be it further

Resolved,That the 75th General Convention, as a community of faith committed to reconciliation and nonviolence taught in the gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ, direct the Presiding Bishop and the Executive Council to encourage wide use of Christian formation materials that stress nonviolent methods to conflict resolution and change; and be it further

Resolved, That the 75th General Convention request the Standing Liturgical Commission to commission prayers and liturgies to be used in time of war, and that the General Convention call on Episcopalians to honor and support, through their prayers and actions, the armed service men and women who return home with injuries to body, mind, and spirit that they might be restored to wholeness of life and assisted in recovering from injury and trauma; and be it further

Resolved, That the 75th General Convention call on all Episcopalians to honor through their prayers and actions the men and women who conscientiously serve their country and especially those who have been killed and wounded; and be it further

Resolved, That the 75th General Convention call upon all Episcopalians as an act of penitence, to oppose and resist through advocacy, protest, and electoral action the continuation of the war in Iraq, and encourage the President and Congress to take proactive steps to end our participation as soon as possible.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Columbus, 2006 (New York: General Convention, 2007), pp. 662-663.

Legislative History

Author: The Rev. William E. Exner (New Hampshire)
Originating House: House of Bishops
Originating Committee: Committee on National and International Concerns

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on National and International Concerns presented its Report #23 on Resolution D020 (End the War in Iraq) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(D020)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 75th General Convention affirm the statements contained in the House of Bishops letter to members of Congress dated October 1, 2002, stating that the conditions for justifying a war against Iraq had not been met; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention affirm the statements contained in the Executive Council Resolution of June 18, 2004 in which the U.S. government was urged to seek alternative military forces to replace the U.S. military apparatus in Iraq; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention affirm the statements contained in the letter signed by the leaders of the National Council of Churches, including the Presiding Bishop, dated May 12, 2004, which called for a change of course in Iraq, and for a transition of authority and post-war reconstruction to the United Nations, recognizing the U.S. responsibility to contribute generously to reconstruction through international agencies; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention of The Episcopal Church call upon the Congress and the President to develop and implement a plan to begin the immediate withdrawal of U.S. Armed Forces from Iraq, to provide for a transfer of peacekeeping functions to an international peacekeeping force, to work through international and Iraqi organizations in the reconstruction of Iraq’s civil and economic infrastructure, and for the full restoration of Iraqi sovereignty; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention call upon church members to be active as peacemakers in seeking an end to the Iraq war through advocacy, protest and electoral action.

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 75th General Convention of The Episcopal Church affirm the conclusion of the October 1, 2002 letter of statements contained inthe House of Bishops letterto members of Congress dated October 1, 2002,stating that the conditions of the “Just War” tradition have not been met in the national government’s decision to attack the nation of Iraqfor justifying a war against Iraq had not been met; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention affirm the statements contained in the Executive Council Resolution of June 18, 2004 in which the U.S. government was urged to seek alternative military forces to replace the U.S. military apparatus in Iraq; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention affirm the statements contained in the letter signed by the leaders of the National Council of Churches, including the Presiding Bishop, dated May 12, 2004, which called for a change of course in Iraq, and for a transition of authority and post-war reconstruction to the United Nations, recognizing the U.S. responsibility to contribute generously to reconstruction through international agencies; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention of The Episcopal Church call upon the Congress and the President to immediately develop for implementation and implementa plan for the stabilization of Iraq, to be followed by the prompt to begin the immediatewithdrawal of U.S. Armed Forces from Iraq, to provide for a transfer of peacekeeping functions to an international peacekeeping force, to work through international and Iraqi organizations in the reconstruction of Iraq’s civil and economic infrastructure, and for the full restoration of Iraqi sovereignty; and be it further

Resolved, That the 75th General Convention call on The Episcopal Church to acknowledge and confess that our participation in the war in Iraq has resulted in individual and global injustices including passive acceptance of the loss of our military personnel, lack of support and care for those returning home, indifference to the loss of countless Iraqi citizens, silent response to atrocities, illegal confinement without representation or formal charges and torture; and be it further

Resolved, That the 75th General Convention call on The Episcopal Church to request the Ecumenical and Interfaith Officer to step-up dialogue with the Iraqi Muslim and Christian community to work toward nonviolent resolutions to conflict; and be it further

Resolved, That the 75th General Convention, as a community of faith committed to reconciliation and nonviolence taught in the gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ, direct the Presiding Bishop and the Executive Council to encourage wide use of Christian formation materials that stress nonviolent methods to conflict resolution and change; and be it further

Resolved, That the 75th General Convention request the Standing Liturgical Commission to commission prayers and liturgies to be used in time of war, and that the General Convention call on Episcopalians to honor and support, through their prayers and actions, the armed service men and women who return home with injuries to body, mind, and spirit that they might be restored to wholeness of life and assisted in recovering from injury and trauma; and be it further

Resolved, That the 75th General Convention call on all Episcopalians to honor through their prayers and actions the men and women who conscientiously serve their country and especially those who have been killed and wounded; and be it further

Resolved, That the 75th General Convention call upon all Episcopalians church membersas an act of penitence, to oppose and resist to be active as peacemakers in seeking an end to the Iraq warthrough advocacy, protest, and electoral action the continuation of the war in Iraq, and encourage Congress to take proactive steps to end our participation as soon as possible.

The Bishop of Indianapolis moved to amend the resolution.

Proposed Amendment:

In the fifth resolve clause, insert the word “government’s” after the words “that our.”

Motion carried

Amendment adopted

The Bishop of Maryland moved to amend the resolution.

Proposed Amendment:

In the final resolve clause, insert the words “the President and” after the words “and encourage.”

Motion carried

Amendment adopted

The question was called.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on Resolution D020 as amended.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #230)

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on National and International Concerns presented its Report #27 on HB Message #230 on Resolution D020 (End the War in Iraq) and moved concurrence.

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #196)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, June 21.

Abstract:   The 75th General Convention calls for the US to end its war in Iraq; to take a series of steps in nonviolent education; to develop liturgies to be use in a time of war; to honor those who serve; and to oppose the continuation of the war.
Notes:  

Resolution D020 was reported to the House in place of resolution B014, which was discharged.