* FINAL VERSION - Concurred
Resolution:A143
Title:Extension of General Convention Resolution A123 to General Convention 2012
Topic:Reconciliation
Committee:10 - Social and Urban Affairs
House of Initial Action:Bishops
Proposer:Executive Council Committee on Anti-Racism

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That the 76th General Convention of The Episcopal Church agree to extend Resolution A123, which was passed at the 75th General Convention, through the 2013-2015 triennium; and be it further

Resolved, That, as directed by Resolution 2006-A123, the General Convention encourage each diocese to continue over the next six years a process to gather information in its community on (1) the complicity of The Episcopal Church in the institution of slavery and in the subsequent history of segregation and discrimination, (2) examples of resistance to slavery and discrimination and (3) the economic benefits derived by the Episcopal Church from the transatlantic slave trade and the institution of slavery; and be it further

Resolved, That dioceses consult with the anti-racism officer of The Episcopal Church for resources to aid them in doing this work; and be it further

Resolved, That the information gathering be used as the foundation for truth-telling, confession, apology, forgiveness, repentance and reconciliation; and be it further

Resolved, That each diocese, as requested by Resolution 2006-A123, name a Day of Repentance and on that day hold a Service of Repentance; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention require all dioceses to report their results to the 77th and 78th General Conventions.


EXPLANATION

The passage of Resolution A123, which urged dioceses to research those instances where "they were complicit in or profited from the institution of Transatlantic Slavery," has inspired eight dioceses to respond to this call to action and has affirmed two dioceses who had already begun this work. As of the publication of this document, the Presiding Bishop and the President of the House of Deputies will have apologized on behalf of The Episcopal Church for its part in the maintenance of that heinous institution. The work that was requested in this Resolution has not been completed and we, therefore, resubmit it and ask that dioceses that have begun their research will continue with that worthwhile task and those who have not responded will be moved to do so. The Office of Anti-Racism will facilitate this ongoing work by asking dioceses that have begun this work to assist and mentor dioceses that have not begun to respond to the Resolution.

It is further our hope that dioceses will include in their liturgies, Christian educational material for all ages, information that they have discovered about historic oppression of African Americans and stories of resistance and survival.


* Note: The final language, as well as the final status of each resolution, is being reviewed by the General Convention office. The Journal of the 76th General Convention and the Constitution and Canons will be published once the review process has been completed.