The Acts of Convention

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on Social and Urban Affairs presented its Report #2 on Resolution C051 (Wounded Soldiers and Veterans) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution:

(C051)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 76th General Convention encourage its clergy, members, congregations and agencies to:

1. Educate themselves about the health-care and economic needs of our nation’s military personnel and veterans who have been wounded, physically or emotionally, in the current wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, or in other wars, past or future.
2. Call on our nation’s Veterans Administration Medical System and the U.S. Government to continue to give the best possible care to our veterans and to shorten the time required for our soldiers to receive approval for medical care and other benefits, which they have earned through their military service.
3. Take direct action to improve the lives of wounded soldiers in their communities and, when asked, to advocate on their behalf with government agencies.
4. Seek to build caring pastoral relationships with wounded soldiers in their families, congregations, communities or local hospitals.
5. Establish, build and support an Episcopal Veterans Fellowship for our diocese and for the whole Church.
6. Encourage local congregations to establish an annual healing service for wounded military personnel, veterans and others.
7. Take action in the cause of local and global peace efforts.

Committee Amendment:

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 76th General Convention encourage its clergy, members, congregations and agencies to:

1. Educate themselves about the health-care and economic needs of our nation’s military personnel and veterans who have been wounded, physically or emotionally, in the current wars in Afghanistan, Iraq, or in other wars, past or future.
2. Call on our nation’s Veterans Administration Department of Veteran Affairs Medical System and the U.S. Government to continue to give the best possible care to our veterans, and to shorten the time required for our soldiers to receive approval for medical care and other benefits, which they have earned through their military service.
3. Take direct action to improve the lives of wounded soldiers in their communities and, when asked, to advocate on their behalf with government agencies.
4. Seek to build caring pastoral relationships with wounded soldiers in their families, congregations, communities or local hospitals.
5. Establish, build and support an Episcopal Veterans Fellowship for our diocese and for the whole Church. Encourage the establishment of an Episcopal Veterans Fellowship for each diocese.
6. Encourage local congregations to establish an annual healing service for wounded military personnel, veterans and others.
7. Take action in the cause of local and global peace efforts.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #17)