wfn.org | Resolution: A response to the September 11 attacks on the United States

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2001-301

A response to the September 11 attacks on the United States

A resolution adopted by the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church October 17, 
2001

     Be it resolved, that the Executive Council, meeting in Jacksonville, 
Florida, October 15-19, 2001, expresses its profoundest condolences to the 
families and loved ones of the victims of the heinous attacks on September 11, 
and commends the Presiding Bishop for his insightful statement issued that day 
declaring that the mission of the Church is about "peace and the transformation 
of the human heart, beginning with our own," and  commends the House of Bishops 
for its commitment to develop clear steps, personally and as a community of 
faith, in order to "wage reconciliation," and be it further 

     Resolved, that the Council commends the staff at the Church Center, the 
Seamen's Church Institute, Trinity/St. Paul's, and the General Theological 
Seminary for their outstanding efforts as part of the body of Christ in New York 
City in the days following the attacks, and be it further

     Resolved, that the Council commends the resourceful initiative of so many 
congregations, dioceses, agencies and organizations that responded to those in 
need and continue to do so, recognizing especially the generosity of 
Episcopalians for their contributions to Episcopal Relief and Development, and be 
it further

     Resolved, that the Council calls upon the whole Church to engage in local 
inter-faith dialogues among peoples of the three Abrahamic faiths with resources 
developed by the office of Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations, condemning in the 
strongest terms all actions by any groups that pervert the true values of Islam, 
Judaism and Christianity, especially the core belief of non-violence as expressed 
in salaam, shalom and peace, noting that such interfaith dialogue can help reduce 
incidents seen in recent weeks of backlash violence against Muslims, Sikhs, 
Hindus and others, and be it further

     Resolved, that the Council affirms President Bush for his leadership in 
these difficult days, yet cautions that the United States need not be at war 
while pursuing the full force of justice against those who committed this crime 
against humanity, and be it further

     Resolved, that the Council urges our government to pursue policies that 
promote the eradication of terrorism through justice and reconciliation abroad 
and encourages a commitment of  .7% of the gross domestic product to foreign 
humanitarian aid and development, be it further 

     Resolved, that the Council welcomes President Bush's call for Palestinian 
Statehood and supports the renewal of the peace process between Israelis and 
Palestinians as a direct action against terrorism, leading to the assurance of 
Israel's security and a Palestinian state on the land now known as the Occupied 
Territories, and be it further 

     Resolved, that the Council pledges its support and prayers to members of the 
Armed Services and their families and urges congregations and affected employers 
to make special efforts to provide continued support and communication to 
military members and their families in this time of abrupt changes in their 
lives, and be it further

     Resolved, that the Council, while recognizing legitimate security concerns 
in the wake of September 11, urges the protection of constitutional rights and 
civil liberties which are founding principles of our democracy, so that the 
rights of certain persons will not be wrongfully jeopardized because of their 
ethnicity or race, and be it further

     Resolved, that the Council urges that the tradition of offering safe haven 
to refugees and asylum seekers be respected, not permitting security-based 
procedural safeguards to impinge upon the rights of asylum seekers based on their 
country of origin, race, ethnicity or religion, but ensuring that their claims 
for protection are adjudicated fairly, and further urges congregations and 
dioceses to continue their ministries of hospitality to refugees and immigrants 
of all traditions.

Explanation: 

     The Council is keenly aware of the deep shock that gripped our nation on 
September 11. Within hours of the disaster members of the diocese of New York and 
Church Center staff were counseling, giving blood, connecting with nearby 
agencies and their parishes, to give aid at the scene of the World Trade Center 
and in nearby centers.  At the Pentagon, Episcopal chaplains and laypersons 
joined others in performing immediate triage to burn victims. The Council 
commends our Presiding Bishop, Bishop Sisk and the Diocese of New York, the 
Church Center staff, chaplains and the response team at the Pentagon for their 
quick action in the aftermath of this disaster. The Crisis Intervention team 
under the aegis of the office of the Suffragan Bishop for the Armed Services, 
after 14 presentations in 7 dioceses, has discovered an ongoing need for 
considerable after-care in support of the general population for trauma and 
stress. 

     The Council now invites the Episcopal Church at all levels to join with the 
Presiding Bishop in examining the causes of terrorism (beginning within our own 
hearts as a community of faith) so that Christ's truth may emerge from this 
tragedy in order to achieve reconciliation and restoration of the human 
community. 

     Likely greatest among those issues is the enormous divide between the wealth 
of some nations and the crushing poverty of others which underscores the crucial 
need for humanitarian development in poor and developing countries.  The Lambeth 
Conference of 1998 asked each of "the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-
operation and Development) nations to honor their commitment to set aside 0.7% of 
their GNP for international development". This would mean an increase from 
current spending of  about $14 billion to $70 billion based on an estimated $10 
trillion national economy.  The Episcopal Church supports .7% giving from our own 
dioceses for international development and more must be done to implement this 
initiative as a demonstration of our own resolve.  The problem of poverty and the 
despair it causes is a breeding ground for terrorism.  

     Self-isolation and unawareness by many Americans of the deep sense of 
alienation, despair and resentment felt in many parts of the world towards the 
United States leaves our country perplexed about the root causes of terrorism.  
The National Concerns Committee has asked staff to prepare a report for the 
February 2002 meeting of Executive Council regarding appropriate principles for 
creation of a Department of Peace in order that our government can engage in 
peace building and conflict resolution around the world and at home.  The Lambeth 
Conference of 1958 declared "that nothing less than the abolition of war itself 
should be the goal of the nations, their leaders, and all citizens."  The Council 
is reminded that both the Lambeth Conference and General Convention have 
reiterated many times that "war as a method of settling international disputes is 
incompatible with the teaching and example of our Lord Jesus Christ."  With equal 
concern, much of the work of reconciliation must be done here at home where many 
of our communities remain divided by race and other social injustices.

     As Council asks our nation to enter into a spirit of reflection and 
reconciliation during these agonizing days, the Church itself must lead by 
example and become a community at peace with itself.