wfn.org | Social justice,public policy focus at Episcopal convention

[Daphne Mack <dmack@dfms.org>]

For more information:

Episcopal News Service
James Solheim
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http://www.ecusa.anglican.org/ens

GC2000--086

Social justice, public policy focus of many resolutions

by Jan Nunley

     (ENS - DENVER) No one can say Episcopalians don't care about 
the world outside the church.

     More than 50 resolutions passed the 73rd General Convention 
addressing the ills of the world--a laundry list including gun 
control, violence, hate crimes, criminal justice, racism, and 
health care. And congregations are being urged to "engage in 
conversations and theological reflection" on public policy issues 
(B050a) as a matter of stewardship.

Guns, violence, and hate

     The memory of the Columbine High School massacre seemed to 
stand behind many of the resolutions dealing with gun control and 
violence. Along with a resolution expressing sympathy to the 
people of Littleton, Colorado, for the 1999 tragedy (D075a), 
there were several resolutions calling for Episcopalians to 
remove all handguns and assault weapons from their homes and 
vehicles--anywhere children or teenagers could have access to the 
weapons (B007a, D004a). 

     Objections emerged from gun-owning Episcopalians, however, 
who argued that their handguns did less harm locked up in their 
homes that they would on the street. A minority report to 
resolution B007a called for widespread gun-safety education, but 
it was defeated when proposed as a substitute for the main 
resolution. Another resolution called on the appropriate 
departments and agencies of the U.S. government to prohibit the 
export of handguns (A006).

     Along with concerns about guns came calls to prevent and 
remedy other kinds of violence, including hate crimes against 
minorities and women. Two resolutions addressed the federal Hate 
Crimes Prevention Act, currently making its way through Congress. 
The first commended the U.S. Senate for passing the act on June 
20, 2000 (D068); the second urged Congress to support the 
introduction and passage of legislation to amend federal law to 
include real or perceived sexual orientation, gender, and 
disability as protected under federal prosecution of a hate crime 
(C029a). A third resolution passed by this convention condemns 
all acts motivated by hate and calls on the Episcopal Church 
Center to continue its "Stop the Hate" campaign (D009a).

     Two resolutions focused on teaching and promoting 
nonviolence. Congregations were urged to endorse A Pledge of 
Nonviolence, developed by the Institute for Peace and Justice in 
St. Louis, Missouri (A058s), and to join others in observing the 
U.N. Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence (D022a). 
Particular months are to be designated in congregations for 
special prayers for Sexual Abuse Prevention and Sexual Assault 
Awareness (April), Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention (May), 
National Domestic Violence Awareness (October) (C025a). Efforts 
to stop the domestic and international trafficking in women, 
girls, and boys (A057a) were supported by both houses.

     Opposition to the death penalty, a long-standing Episcopal 
Church position, got a boost with a resolution calling for an 
immediate moratorium on its use in all states (A082a), and 
another asking congregations and dioceses to explore the inequity 
of the death penalty as applied to minorities, the poor and those 
who cannot afford adequate legal representation (A083s). The 
needs of juvenile offenders, their families and victims (C010a) 
are to be put on the agenda of the Office of the Bishop for the 
Armed Services, Health Care, and Prison Ministry, along with a 
study of restorative justice (B003a) and a new committee on 
criminal justice (B001).

Racism and other social discord

     The way human beings treat those different from themselves, 
at home and around the world, was a strong theme of the Denver 
gathering. Several resolutions manifested a get-tough attitude on 
racial discrimination, including one mandating anti-racism 
training for all ordained persons, professional staff and those 
elected or appointed to leadership on committees, commissions, 
agencies, and boards. The training is slated to begin September 
1, 2000 (B049s). 

     The two houses agreed to call upon the government of the 
United States to pressure the government of India to abolish the 
practice of "untouchability" (D024a), to affirm the rights of 
both Palestinians and Israelis to self-determination and the 
right of Palestinians to return to their lands (B016a), and to 
adopt "The Episcopal Church in Service to Refugees and 
Immigrants" as a mission statement of the church (A053a).

Economic justice 

     Support for a "living wage" dates from the 1997 General 
Convention, but this year the church was urged to "walk its talk" 
by implementing a living wage "within the institutions of the 
church," as well as advocating for passage of living wage 
ordinances at all government levels (A081a). Concern for the 
growth of urban areas around the world--amply demonstrated by 
testimony at the 1998 Lambeth Conference--sparked a call for 
formation of an Anglican Urban Network (C006s). But rural 
concerns were not forgotten, as the church recalled the social 
and economic problems facing farming and rural communities 
(C034a).

Health care

     The rising cost of health care, and the difficulty that 
presents for people needing access to it, was also a concern. 
Convention called for the Office of the Bishop for the Armed 
Services, Healthcare and Prison Ministries to convene 
representatives of Episcopal health care groups and 
representatives of professions in healthcare, to cooperate in 
advocacy efforts, and to develop resources and teaching materials 
related to access to healthcare (A079s). 

     End-of-life issues, growing out of work in the Diocese of 
Washington (D.C.) presented at the last General Convention, also 
produced several resolutions. A study of the theological and 
ethical issues that arise near the end of life (A077a) was urged 
for Episcopalians. So was the removal of obstacles to hospice and 
palliative care by federal and state lawmakers (A078).

     The continuing crisis of AIDS, especially among teenagers 
and the young, wasn't forgotten. One resolution called for a 
continuation of efforts to prevent AIDS among teens (A050), while 
another directs the Ministries with Young People Office to make 
supplemental materials on abstinence available along with the 
"Episcopal Guide to Teens for AIDS Prevention" (TAP) program 
(D049a). A third resolution encourages the church to "combat the 
oppression that contributes to the spread of HIV/AIDS" (A052a), 
as well as supporting initiatives to make HIV/AIDS-related 
medications available at affordable prices to infected persons 
throughout the world (A051a).

     Mental as well as physical and spiritual health was a 
concern in resolutions urging all congregations to seek out and 
commend local members of the National Alliance for the Mentally 
Ill and other mental health support groups (C032a), and affirming 
the high priority of work to prevent suicide (D008a).

     The cost of health care to clergy--particularly those who 
spend most of their ministries in rural and part-time positions--
led to a request for the Church Pension Fund to study their 
health care benefits, including prescription drugs and provision 
of Medicare Part B Supplement (D078a). 

     And, finally, mindful of the effects of tobacco use on 
health, the convention urged that all interior public spaces 
under the jurisdiction of the Episcopal Church be declared 
"Tobacco-free Zones" (D001a).

--Jan Nunley is director of communications for the Diocese of 
Rhode Island.