wfn.org | Commissioners' Resolutions Sent to Plenary

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16-June-1998 
GA98060 
 
Commissioners' Resolutions Sent to Plenary by Assembly Peacemaking Committee 
 
    by Nancy Rodman 
 
CHARLOTTE, N.C.--The General Assembly will be asked to vote on five 
Commissioners' Resolutions by the Assembly Committee on Peacemaking, 
International Service and Concerns on issues ranging from Kosovo to global 
climate change. 
    Commissioners' Resolution 98-5 on global climate change, if enacted by 
the Assembly, would urge the United States government to ratify the Kyoto 
protocol which urges the U.S. and other industrialized countries to reduce 
their greenhouse gas emissions and all countries to develop policies on 
renewable energy, energy and fuel efficiency, and reforestation.  It would 
urge developing nations to negotiate targets and timetables for reductions 
of greenhouse gases and PCUSA Congregations and institutions to pursue 
energy efficiency and conservation in their buildings and property.  Those 
churches and individuals who have worked diligently since the adoption of 
the 1990 policy statement on caring for God's creation would be commended. 
The General Assembly has urged such treaty as the Kyoto protocol to be 
negotiated; now it would call for ratification. 
    The situation in Chiapas, Mexico, is addressed by Commissioners' 
Resolution 98-7.  If approved, it would call all Christians to prayer and 
would call on the presidents of the U.S. and Mexico to take specific steps: 
withdrawal of the military from Chiapas, implementation of the Agreement of 
San Andres, improvements to the infrastructure, education and health 
delivery systems, and economic well-being of the people there, cessation of 
arms sales, shipments, and transfers to Mexico, and independent observers 
in the area. 
    Commissioners' Resolution 98-8 expresses profound sorrow for the 
tragedy in Kosovo and calls on Serbia to cease its attacks on the ethnic 
Albanians in the region.  It further calls on the United Nations to 
continue to monitor the situation and to seek a just and lasting solution 
to the conflict.  Presbyterians are asked to contribute to relief efforts 
through their giving to Presbyterian Disaster Services. 
    The Assembly Committee on Peacemaking, International Service and 
Concerns will ask the General Assembly to approve Commissioners' Resolution 
98-16, On Honoring Women's Gifts.  This resolution reaffirms the 
Presbyterian Church's commitment to honor women's gifts, recognizes the 
complexity of gender relations, and calls on the News Service of the PCUSA 
to make public our positive understanding of women's equality in church and 
family. 
    If the Assembly approves the Commissioners' Resolution on Burma, 98-21, 
the Resolution on Just Peacemaking would be amended to add Burma to the 
list of countries where there is major violation of human rights and 
massive human suffering and the church would be called to prayer for the 
people of Burma.  In addition, corporate involvement in Burma would be 
ended until there is a democratic government in place and human rights are 
respected. 

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