The Acts of Convention
| Resolution Number: | 2024-D031 |
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| Title: | Address the Ongoing Harm of Coercive and Abusive Christian Ministries |
| Legislative Action Taken: | Concurred |
| Final Text: | |
Resolved, That the 81st General Convention, recognizing that our baptismal promise to “seek and serve Christ in all persons” goes hand in hand with our charge to “respect the dignity of every human being,” lament the historic and ongoing prevalence of coercion and abuse within Christian social ministries, with particular acknowledgement of how participation in religious services has been a prerequisite for the receipt of social support, how evangelizing publications have been packaged with material support, and how support has been denied to individuals whose relationships do not conform to Church-dictated structures; and be it further
Resolved, That the 81st General Convention repent for The Episcopal Church’s own past complicity in coercive and abusive ministries such as, but not limited to, Indigenous boarding schools, homes for unwed mothers, and crisis pregnancy centers (also known as pregnancy resource centers); and be it further
Resolved, That the 81st General Convention direct the Office of Government Relations to work to defeat funding initiatives and governmental support for these, and other, coercive and abusive Christian ministries.
| Citation: | General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Louisville, 2024 (New York: General Convention, 2024), p. 904. |
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Legislative History
| Author: | Ms. Evangeline Warren |
|---|---|
| Originating House: | House of Deputies |
| Originating Committee: | Safety, Wellness and Mental Health |
House of Deputies
The House of Deputies Committee on Safety, Wellness, and Mental Health presented its Report #5 on Resolution D031 (Addressing the Ongoing Harm of Coercive and Abusive Christian Ministries) and moved adoption.
Original Text of Resolution:
(D031)
Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring,
That the 81st General Convention, recognizing that our baptismal promise to “seek and serve Christ in all persons” goes hand in hand with our charge to “respect the dignity of every human being,” lament the historic and ongoing prevalence of coercion and abuse within Christian social ministries, with particular acknowledgement of how participation in religious services has been a prerequisite for the receipt of social support, how evangelizing publications have been packaged with material support, and how support has been denied to individuals whose relationships do not conform to Church-dictated structures; and be it further
Resolved, That the 81st General Convention repent for The Episcopal Church’s own past complicity in coercive and abusive ministries such as, but not limited to, Indigenous boarding schools, homes for unwed mothers, and crisis pregnancy centers (also known as pregnancy resource centers); and be it further
Resolved, That the 81st General Convention direct the Office of Government Relations to work to defeat funding initiatives and governmental support for these, and other, coercive and abusive Christian ministries.
Debate ensued.
Deputy Canady of East Carolina moved to end debate.
Motion carried
Debate terminated
Deputy Meyers of California requested the Chaplain lead the House in prayer before voting. The President called on the Chaplain for prayer.
A voice vote was taken on Resolution D031.
Motion carried
Resolution adopted
(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #158)
House of Bishops
The House of Bishops Committee on Safety, Wellness, and Mental Health presented its Report #17 on HD Message #158 on Resolution D031 (Addressing the Ongoing Harm of Coercive and Abusive Christian Ministries) and moved concurrence.
Motion carried
The House concurred
(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #288)
Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, June 28.
| Abstract: | The 81st General Convention laments the historic and ongoing prevalence of coercion and abuse within Christian social ministries; repents for The Episcopal Church’s own past complicity in such ministries as Indigenous boarding schools, homes for unwed mothers, and crisis pregnancy centers; and directs the Office of Government Relations to work to defeat governmental support for these and other coercive and abusive Christian ministries. |
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| Notes: | Resolution D031 was removed from the Consent Calendar and placed on the Legislative Calendar. |