Resolution Number: 2009-A041
Title: Urge Attention to Continuing Lessons and Concern Arising from the War in Iraq
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred as Amended
Final Text:

Resolved, That the 76th General Convention commend new government strategies that seek to restore trust among nations and work to alleviate the conditions that lead to the War in Iraq; and be it further

Resolved, That we urge all Episcopalians to support independent international relief efforts such as those of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent to bring healing to this deeply broken nation; and be it further

Resolved, That we urge all Episcopalians to use Christian formation materials that stress nonviolent methods to conflict resolution and change; and be it further

Resolved, That we urge the President and Congress to abide by the demand of the Iraqi government to withdraw all U.S. combat forces from Iraq by December 31, 2011; and be it further

Resolved, That we urge the President and Congress to listen to and consider deeply the voices and concerns of the Iraqi people in determining our continuing relationship with that sovereign nation, including the establishment of permanent U.S. bases and the presence of military and non-military personnel; and be it further

Resolved, That we urge the President and Congress and our entire nation to seek wisdom from sin committed in Iraq and let that wisdom inform future relationships throughout the world; and be it further

Resolved, That we urge all Episcopalians to honor through their prayers and actions the men and women who conscientiously serve their country, those who have been killed and wounded in Iraq and those who conscientiously object to this war, all war or selected wars.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Anaheim, 2009 (New York: General Convention, 2009), p. 351.

Legislative History

Author: The Standing Commission on Anglican and International Peace with Justice Concerns
Originating House: House of Deputies
Originating Committee: Committee on National and International Concerns

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on National and International Concerns presented its Report #27 on Resolution A041 (War in Iraq) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(A041)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 76th General Convention reaffirm Resolution D020 of the 75th General Convention in confessing 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 also confess that our nation’s invasion and occupation of Iraq has resulted in individual and global injustices including death and maiming of countless Iraqi innocents, displacement of millions of Iraqi citizens, silent response to atrocities, illegal confinement without representation or formal charges, torture, lack of support and care for military personnel returning home and the opportunity costs of nearly $600 billion spent; and be it further

Resolved, That in repentance we urge all Episcopalians to support independent international relief efforts such as those of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent to bring healing to this deeply broken nation; and be it further

Resolved, That in striving for amendment of life we urge all Episcopalians to use Christian formation materials that stress nonviolent methods to conflict resolution and change; and be it further

Resolved, That in striving for amendment of life, we urge the President and Congress to abide by the demand of the Iraqi government to withdraw all U.S. combat forces from Iraq by December 31, 2011; and be it further

Resolved, That in striving for amendment of life we urge the President and Congress to listen to and consider deeply the voices and concerns of the Iraqi people in determining our continuing relationship with that sovereign nation, including the establishment of permanent U.S. bases and the presence of military and non-military personnel; and be it further

Resolved, That in striving for amendment of life we urge the President and Congress and our entire nation to seek wisdom from sin committed in Iraq and let that wisdom inform future relationships throughout the world; and be it further

Resolved, That we urge all Episcopalians to honor through their prayers and actions the men and women who conscientiously serve their country, some who have been killed and wounded in Iraq and some who have objected to this war.

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 76th General Convention commend new government strategies that seek to restore trust among nations and work to alleviate the conditions that lead to the War in Iraq reaffirm Resolution D020 of the 75th General Convention in confessing 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 also confess that our nation’s invasion and occupation of Iraq has resulted in individual and global injustices including death and maiming of countless Iraqi innocents, displacement of millions of Iraqi citizens, silent response to atrocities, illegal confinement without representation or formal charges, torture, lack of support and care for military personnel returning home and the opportunity costs of nearly $600 billion spent; and be it further

Resolved, That in repentance we urge all Episcopalians to support independent international relief efforts such as those of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent to bring healing to this deeply broken nation; and be it further

Resolved, That in striving for amendment of life we urge all Episcopalians to use Christian formation materials that stress nonviolent methods to conflict resolution and change; and be it further

Resolved, That in striving for amendment of life, we urge the President and Congress to abide by the demand of the Iraqi government to withdraw all U.S. combat forces from Iraq by December 31, 2011; and be it further

Resolved, That in striving for amendment of life we urge the President and Congress to listen to and consider deeply the voices and concerns of the Iraqi people in determining our continuing relationship with that sovereign nation, including the establishment of permanent U.S. bases and the presence of military and non-military personnel; and be it further

Resolved, That in striving for amendment of life we urge the President and Congress and our entire nation to seek wisdom from sin committed in Iraq and let that wisdom inform future relationships throughout the world; and be it further

Resolved, That we urge all Episcopalians to honor through their prayers and actions the men and women who conscientiously serve their country, those some who have been killed and wounded in Iraq and those some who conscientiously object to this war, all war or selected wars. have objected to this war.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #169)

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on National and International Concerns presented its Report #32 on HD Message #169 on Resolution A041 (War in Iraq) and moved concurrence.

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #257)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 17.

Report Reference:   Standing Commission on Anglican and International Peace with Justice Concerns, Reports to the 76th General Convention, 2009, pp. 91-104.
Abstract:   The 76th General Convention urges the U.S. government to support and aid the people of Iraq.