The Acts of Convention

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on Social and Urban Affairs presented its Report #29 on Resolution D061 (Condemning Threats Against Sexual Minorities) and moved adoption with amendment.

Original Text of Resolution

(D061)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 77th General Convention of The Episcopal Church adopt the following statements:

The Episcopal Church rejects and condemns all use of violent rhetoric against sexual minorities by Christian clergy.

We stand in solidarity with lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders, and all other sexual minorities who are threatened or persecuted in the name of Christ.

We oppose calls for execution, imprisonment, and for any official or unofficial violence against sexual minorities as contrary to the word and spirit of the Gospel of Christ.

We are committed to the inclusion of all God’s people, including lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders, and other sexual minorities, in the full life of the Church.

We believe that these same people should be fully protected by the civil laws of every society, enjoying the protections of law against violence and living under society’s common obligations.

Committee Amendment

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 77th General Convention of The Episcopal Church adopt the following statements:

The Episcopal Church rejects and condemns all use of violent rhetoric against sexual minorities by Christian clergy lay and ordained leadership.

We stand in solidarity with lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders persons, and all other sexual minorities who are threatened or persecuted in the name of Christ.

We oppose calls for execution, imprisonment, and for any official or unofficial violence against sexual minorities as contrary to the word and spirit of the Gospel of Christ.

We are committed to the inclusion of all God’s people, including lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders persons, and other sexual minorities, in the full life of the Church.

We believe that these same people should be fully protected by the civil laws of every society, enjoying the protections of law against violence and living under society’s common obligations.

The Bishop of Milwaukee proposed an amendment.

Proposed Amendment

In the first resolved clause, delete “by lay and ordained leadership.”

The question was called.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on the Milwaukee amendment.

Motion carried

Amendment adopted

The Bishop of Springfield proposed an amendment.

Proposed Amendment

Delete the paragraph beginning with “We are committed to the inclusion of all God’s people”.

Motion carried

Amendment adopted

A vote was taken on Resolution D061 as amended.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted with amendment

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #144)