* FINAL VERSION - Concurred
Resolution:D007
Title:Sudan Peace and TEC Partnership
Topic:Peace
Committee:08 - World Mission
House of Initial Action:Deputies
Proposer:Mr. Russell V Randle

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 76th General Convention adopt the following objectives to guide our church's advocacy for peace in Sudan: (a) support for the full and timely implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) of 2005, settling the prior civil war between the north and south, (b) support for increased private investment for economic development in southern Sudan, as now permitted by U.S. law, (c) continued and increased U.S. government development assistance in southern Sudan and other areas affected by war in Sudan, and (d) an early end to hostilities in Darfur and elsewhere in Sudan, and assuring full access by humanitarian organizations to assist refugees; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention urge each diocese in The Episcopal Church (TEC) to consider, after careful consultation, entry into a Companion Diocese Relationship or other covenant-based link relationship with a diocese in the Episcopal Church of Sudan (ECS) or with an ECS-approved Bible translation project, as a means (a) to strengthen the proclamation of the Gospel in both the TEC and ECS, and (b) to further the cause of peace in Sudan. Each TEC diocese is requested to report the results of such consideration by July 1, 2010 to the Executive Council for posting on appropriate TEC websites after review by Executive Council; and be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention request our Presiding Bishop to designate, after consultation with other interested denominations, a period of several weeks in 2010 as a Season of Prayer for peace in Sudan, where our churches are urged to include prayer for peace in Sudan in each public liturgy, and that such Season of Prayer culminate in a National Day of Prayer for peace in Sudan, including the celebration of relationships by TEC dioceses and churches with the ECS.


EXPLANATION

Sudan has been at war continuously since 1983. While the north-south Civil War concluded with the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) after two million people had perished and the church endured long and harsh persecution, vicious fighting broke out in Darfur in western Sudan in 2003, and continues, while armed conflict periodically erupts elsewhere in Sudan, threatening to undo the CPA or spread violence to eastern Sudan. Outside experts and Sudanese church leaders report that peace in Darfur and elsewhere in the Sudan depends very heavily on the full implementation of the CPA and the involvement of southern Sudan in helping to mediate a peace among the rest of the country. This resolution sets priorities for our church's governmental advocacy to bring about such peace.

The Episcopal Church of Sudan (ECS) has been a tireless witness for the Gospel, for peace, and for peaceful development to aid all the people in Sudan. The ECS now reports four million members and twenty-seven dioceses; the people, clergy, and the church are robust Episcopalians whose witness for the Gospel and work for peace would be strengthened by partnerships with TEC dioceses, parishes, and church-related organizations, such as Bible translation projects for tribal languages which do not yet have the full Bible in their mother tongue. This resolution encourages such partnerships. Understanding that prayer is an essential aspect of our work for peace, this resolution requests the Presiding Bishop to designate a period of several weeks as a period for public prayer for peace in Sudan, after consultation with other denominations such as the ELCA, which have indicated clear interest in joint work for peace in Sudan. Our Presiding Bishop has been a strong advocate of such work for peace in Sudan as well as the Millennium Development Goals.



* 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.