The Acts of Convention

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on World Mission presented its Report #7 on Resolution D035 (Support Christians in Pakistan) and moved adoption of a substitute.

Original Text of Resolution:

(D035)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That consistent with its prior Acts of Convention, specifically, Resolutions 2000-B047 and 2009-D084, the 78th General Convention of The Episcopal Church express its continued solidarity with the Church of Pakistan and the whole Christian community in Pakistan; and be it further

Resolved, That the Episcopal Church express its commitment to the Church of Pakistan through a call to prayer issued to our congregations, inclusion of Pakistani Christians in formalized cycles of liturgical prayer, and other forms of considered, prayerful action to strengthen the social and legal position of religious minorities in Pakistan; and be it further

Resolved, That the 78th General Convention of The Episcopal Church call upon the Government of Pakistan to ensure adequate protections for all religious minorities in Pakistan; that it take immediate action to discharge its international human rights obligations, specifically with respect to the prevention of the abduction, forced conversion to Islam and forced marriage of young women from minority religious communities; and that it bring to justice those responsible for human rights violations; and be it further

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church and its members, through its Global Relations office and other means, utilize all measures at its disposal, including the United Nations special consultative status granted to it in 2014, to ensure the protection of religious, gender, and other minorities by the Government of Pakistan; and be it further

Resolved, That the Standing Committee on World Mission shall, no later than July 1, 2016, report to the Executive Council of The Episcopal Church as to the status of The Episcopal Church's undertakings with respect to the Church of Pakistan, including the status of the actions contemplated by Resolutions 2000-B047 and 2009-D084, and provide an interim report upon the actions contemplated herein, with dissemination to the Church of Pakistan as appropriate.

Committee Substitute:

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 78th General Convention of The Episcopal Church express continued solidarity with the Church of Pakistan (United) in this time of oppression of religious minorities in their country; and be it further

Resolved, That the 78th General Convention of The Episcopal Church call upon the congregations and members of The Episcopal Church to learn about the realities of the Church in Pakistan and the oppression of religious minorities in that country, and to pray purposely and specifically for the Church of Pakistan (United); and be it further

Resolved, That the 78th General Convention of The Episcopal Church call upon the congregations and dioceses of The Episcopal Church to enter into direct partnerships with the Church of Pakistan (United) including visits to provide active engagement and support for the persecuted Church; and be it further

Resolved, That the 78th General Convention of The Episcopal Church call upon the Government of Pakistan to ensure adequate protections for all religious minorities in Pakistan; that it take immediate action to discharge its international human rights obligations, specifically with respect to the prevention of the abduction, forced conversion to Islam, and forced marriage of young women from minority religious communities; and that it bring to justice those responsible for human rights violations; and be it further

Resolved, That the 78th General Convention of The Episcopal Church direct the Global Relations Office of the Episcopal Church, including the United Nations special consultative status granted to it in 2014, and other offices and agencies of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society to utilize all measures at their disposal to advocate for the protection of religious, gender, and other minorities with the Government of Pakistan and international agencies; and be it further

Resolved, That the 78th General Convention of The Episcopal Church direct the Standing Commission on Anglican and International Peace with Justice Concerns (or other commission, committee or task-group as assigned by Executive Council) to report to the Executive Council of The Episcopal Church, no later than December 31, 2016, on the work of the Episcopal Church in these undertakings with respect to the Church of Pakistan, including the status of the actions contemplated by this and previous resolutions of General Convention pertaining to the plight of the Church of Pakistan, with such report being shared with the Church of Pakistan.

Motion carried

Substitute resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #68)