Title: Support and Advocacy for Safety of Persecuted LGBTI Persons
ID: EXC022014.29
Committee: Advocacy and Networking for Mission (report 27)
Citation: Executive Council Minutes, Feb. 5-7, 2014, Linthicum Heights, MD, pp. 34-35.
Text:

Resolved, That the Executive Council of The Episcopal Church, meeting in Linthicum Heights, MD, from February 5-7, 2014, calls upon governments to provide safety for their LGBTI residents and asylum for those seeking to emigrate from nations in which people are under threat of criminal penalties, imprisonment, torture, death, and/or mob violence on the basis of their LGBTI identity and/or advocacy; and be it further

Resolved, That the members of Executive Council commit to standing in solidarity with those who are persecuted because of their LGBTI identity and/or advocacy, to listen to their stories, and to encourage prayers for their safety and wholeness throughout the Church, keeping in mind the word of Christ:

"Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.” (Luke 6:20-23, NRSV)

and be it further

Resolved, That Executive Council commends the recent strong statements of the President of the House of Deputies (dated January 27, 2014) and the Presiding Bishop (dated January 30, 2014), condemning the criminalization of LGBTI identity and/or advocacy and reminding the church that all people are created in God’s image and are God’s beloved.

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