Episcopal Press and News
Convention Acts on National and International Problems
Episcopal News Service. September 27, 1979 [79274]
Several approved resolutions referred to peace, the draft and conscientious objectors. The Convention approved the establishment of a 12-member Joint Commission on Peace with an initial charge to implement the House of Bishops' 1962 Pastoral Letter on "Peace and War."
The bishops and deputies voted to oppose peacetime conscription or any form of compulsory national service unless an emergency is declared. They also approved a resolution which encourages Episcopalians who are conscientious objectors to register with the Executive Council. The Council was requested to maintain an ongoing counseling program if the draft were to resume.
The 1978 Lambeth Conference resolution on "War and Violence" was endorsed by the Convention and the statement was commended to all Episcopalians.
The Convention reaffirmed its opposition to capital punishment and called on the Church's dioceses and members to work actively to abolish the death penalty in their own states.
The resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan and of Naziism in the U. S. was deplored by Convention action.
Concern was expressed for the displaced, especially those from Southeast Asia and the Soviet Union. The work of the Presiding Bishop's Fund for World Relief was commended and affirmed. Episcopalians were urged to continue to sponsor and assist refugees.
The Convention noted with gratitude the signing of the Israeli-Egyptian Peace Treaty earlier this year. Support for the establishment of a free and independent Palestinian state which recognizes the state of Israel found support in an approved resolution. The bishops and deputies urged a solution to this problem which would guarantee free and secure access to Jerusalem by all people. Expressions of love, concern and prayers were offered to all persons in the troubled Middle East.
Turning to another tense situation, the Convention commended the work and ministry of healing and reconciliation by the Christian Renewal Centre, Rostrevor, County Down, which is under the direction of a priest of the Church of Ireland and a staff of both Roman Catholics and Protestants.
The bishops and deputies were not able to agree on a mutually acceptable resolution on the SALT II treaty. The bishops had urged ratification of the treaty by the U. S. Senate but the deputies refused to concur with the resolution, substituting a suggestion that individual Episcopalians make their own opinions known to their Senators. A conference committee of the two houses was unable to agree on a compromise so concurrence was impossible.