Digital Archives

The Acts of Convention

Resolution Number: 2009-A042
Title: Condemn and Renounce the First Use of Armed Military Force
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred
Final Text:

Resolved, That the 76th General Convention condemn in any nation the first use of armed force in the form of a preventive or pre-emptive strike that is aimed at disrupting a non-imminent, uncertain military threat; and be it further

Resolved, That the Convention strongly admonish the United States Government to renounce its 2002 policy that asserts the right to act, by armed force if necessary, to “forestall or prevent” threats even if “uncertainty remains as to the time and place of the enemy’s attack;” and be it further

Resolved, That ordained and lay leadership of The Episcopal Church promote the renunciation of “first use” military action as the established teaching of our Church, encouraging parish study and public witness.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Anaheim, 2009 (New York: General Convention, 2009), p. 374.

Legislative History

Author: The Standing Commission on Anglican and International Peace with Justice Concerns
Originating House: House of Deputies
Originating Committee: Committee on National and International Concerns

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on National and International Concerns presented its Report #13 on Resolution A042 (First Use Military Action) and moved adoption.

Original Text of Resolution:

(A042)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the 76th General Convention condemn in any nation the first use of armed force in the form of a preventive or pre-emptive strike that is aimed at disrupting a non-imminent, uncertain military threat; and be it further

Resolved, That the Convention strongly admonish the United States Government to renounce its 2002 policy that asserts the right to act, by armed force if necessary, to “forestall or prevent” threats even if “uncertainty remains as to the time and place of the enemy’s attack;” and be it further

Resolved, That ordained and lay leadership of The Episcopal Church promote the renunciation of “first use” military action as the established teaching of our Church, encouraging parish study and public witness.

Deputy Hart of Pennsylvania moved the previous question.

Motion carried

Debate terminated

A vote was taken on Resolution A042.

Motion carried

Resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #140)

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on National and International Concerns presented its Report #57 on HD Message #140 on Resolution A042 (First Use Military Action) and moved concurrence.

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #292)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 17.

Report Reference:   Standing Commission on Anglican and International Peace with Justice Concerns, Reports to the 76th General Convention, 2009, pp. 91-104.
Abstract:   The 76th General Convention condemns the first use of armed force in conflict.