| Resolution Number: | 2012-D005 |
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| Title: | Develop a Christian Ethical Response to the Crime of Terrorism |
| Legislative Action Taken: | Concurred as Substituted |
| Final Text: | |
Resolved, That the 77th General Convention call on all Episcopalians to respond to terrorism, not by demonizing and dehumanizing terrorists, but rather with a courageous passion for justice cultivated through prayer, study and moral leadership; and be it further
Resolved, That the 77th General Convention acknowledge the need for the United States government to shift rhetoric and responses to terrorism away from treating terrorists as warriors in the context of a “war on terror,” to treating terrorists as criminals; and be it further
Resolved, That the 77th General Convention call upon the Standing Commission for Anglican and International Peace with Justice Concerns, in collaboration with the Bishop Suffragan for the Armed Forces and Federal Ministries, Episcopal Peace Fellowship, ethicists and other interested groups, to develop a comprehensive Christian ethical paradigm, rooted in the Christian tradition of working for justice and peace that shapes just and efficacious responses to the crime of terrorism, that recognizes international political realities, is grounded in the worth and dignity of every human being and that emphasizes the rule of law, justice, and law enforcement protocols rather than warfighting; and be it further
Resolved, That the 77th General Convention call on the President of the United States to use law enforcement protocols, national resources, and international cooperation to apprehend and bring to justice individuals and organizations who have adopted and implemented terrorist tactics or strategies.
| Citation: | General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Indianapolis, 2012 (New York: General Convention, 2012), p. 322. |
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Legislative History
| Author: | The Rev. William Exner |
|---|---|
| Originating House: | House of Deputies |
| Originating Committee: | National and International Concerns |
House of Deputies
The House of Deputies Committee on National and International Concerns presented its Report #41 on Resolution D005 (Rule of Law for Terrorists) and moved adoption of a substitute.
Original Text of Resolution
(D005)
Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 77th General Convention call on the President of the United States to use law enforcement protocols, national resources, and international cooperation to apprehend and bring to justice individuals and organizations who, having adopted terrorist tactics or strategies, commit vicious crimes against humanity; and be it further
Resolved, That the 77th General Convention direct the Mission Office (or Office of Government Relations), in collaboration with the Bishop Suffragan for Federal Ministries, Episcopal Peace Fellowship, and other interested groups, to articulate Christian standards for just responses to the crime of terrorism, standards that are grounded in the worth and dignity of every human being and that build on existing international law enforcement protocols; and be it further
Resolved, That the 77th General Convention call on all Episcopalians to respond to terrorism through study, prayer, moral leadership that advocates dealing with terrorists as the vicious criminals they are, and a courageous passion for justice rather than fearfully demonizing and dehumanizing terrorists.
Committee Substitute
Resolved, That the 77th General Convention call on all Episcopalians to respond to terrorism, not by demonizing and dehumanizing terrorists, but rather with a courageous passion for justice cultivated through prayer, study and moral leadership; and be it further
Resolved, That the 77th General Convention acknowledge the need for the United States government to shift rhetoric and responses to terrorism away from treating terrorists as warriors in the context of a “war on terror,” to treating terrorists as criminals; and be it further
Resolved, That the 77th General Convention call upon the Standing Commission for Anglican and International Peace with Justice Concerns, in collaboration with the Bishop Suffragan for the Armed Forces and Federal Ministries, Episcopal Peace Fellowship, ethicists and other interested groups, to develop a comprehensive Christian ethical paradigm, rooted in the Christian tradition of working for justice and peace that shapes just and efficacious responses to the crime of terrorism, that recognizes international political realities, is grounded in the worth and dignity of every human being and that emphasizes the rule of law, justice, and law enforcement protocols rather than warfighting; and be it further
Resolved, That the 77th General Convention call on the President of the United States to use law enforcement protocols, national resources, and international cooperation to apprehend and bring to justice individuals and organizations who have adopted and implemented terrorist tactics or strategies.
Deputy Pollard of New York moved the previous question.
Motion carried
Debate terminated
A vote was taken on the substitute resolution.
Motion carried
Substitute resolution adopted
(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #247)
House of Bishops
The House of Bishops Committee on National and International Concerns presented its Report #36 on HD Message #247 on Resolution D005 (Rule of Law for Terrorists) and moved concurrence.
Motion carried
The House concurred
(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #280)
Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 12.
| Abstract: | The 77th General Convention calls on Episcopalians to cultivate a just response to terrorism by encouraging the development of an ethical Christian paradigm that responds to the crime of terrorism by emphasizing the rule of law and justice. |
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