The Acts of Convention
| Resolution Number: | 2024-D056 |
|---|---|
| Title: | Call for Ceasefire in Gaza |
| Legislative Action Taken: | Concurred as Amended |
| Final Text: | |
Resolved, That the 81st General Convention decry the terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and the ongoing terrorist activity of Hamas, as well as the disproportionate loss of Palestinian lives that continues in Israel's war against Hamas;
Resolved, That the 81st General Convention also lament the ongoing complicity of the United States, of which many of us are citizens, and other nations in the world, in the continuing devastation in Gaza, and accept the call of Christ to be makers of peace in the midst of violence and war; and be it further
Resolved, That the Presiding Bishop and President of the House of Deputies set aside a specific day of fasting, prayer, and mourning for the lives lost in Israel and Palestine in this conflict, including urgent prayers that the conflict not end in genocide; and be it further
Resolved, That all members of this church be urged to contact their elected representatives in Congress to ask for a comprehensive, equitable, and immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and that materials for such an ask be made available by the Episcopal Public Policy Network; and be it further
Resolved, That the members of this church be asked to pray and work for a just and equitable peace until such day when that peace arrives, through the help of the God who created all of us.
| Citation: | General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Louisville, 2024 (New York: General Convention, 2024), pp. 429-430. |
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Legislative History
| Author: | The Rev. Megan L. Castellan |
|---|---|
| Originating House: | House of Bishops |
| Originating Committee: | Social Justice and International Policy |
House of Bishops
The House of Bishops Committee on Social Justice and International Policy presented its Report #24 on Resolution D056 (Calling for a Ceasefire in Gaza) and moved adoption with amendment.
Original Text of Resolution:
(D056)
Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring,
That the 81st General Convention decries the ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza, and the attacks of October 7th by Hamas against Israeli civilians; and be it further
Resolved, That we also lament the ongoing complicity of the United States, of which many of us are citizens, in the continuing devastation in Gaza, and we accept the call of Christ to be makers of peace in the midst of a culture that encourages violence and war; and be it further
Resolved, That the presiding officers set aside a specific day in the upcoming year as a day of fasting, prayer, and mourning for the lives lost in Israel/Palestine in this genocide; and be it further
Resolved, That all members of this church are urged to contact their elected representatives in Congress to ask for a comprehensive and immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and that materials for such an ask be made available by the Episcopal Public Policy Network; and be it further
Resolved, That the members of this church ask their elected representatives to call for a moratorium on offensive arms sales or transfers to Israel until such time as Israel comes into compliance with settled international law regarding territorial expansion by force; and be it further
Resolved, That the members of this church are asked to pray and work for a just and equitable peace until such day when that peace arrives, through the help of the God who created all of us.
Committee Amendment:
Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring,
That the 81st General Convention decries decry the ongoing genocide by the Israeli government against the Palestinian people in Gaza, and the attacks of October 7th by Hamas against Israeli civilians; and be it further
Resolved, That we the 81st General Convention also
lament the ongoing complicity of the United States, of which many of us
are citizens, in the continuing devastation in Gaza, and we accept the call of Christ to be makers of peace in the midst of a culture that encourages violence and war; and be it further
Resolved, That the presiding officers set aside a specific day in the upcoming year as a day of fasting, prayer, and mourning for the lives lost in Israel/Palestine in this genocide; and be it further
Resolved, That all members of this church are be urged
to contact their elected representatives in Congress to ask for a
comprehensive and immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and that materials for
such an ask be made available by the Episcopal Public Policy Network;
and be it further
Resolved, That the members of this church ask their elected representatives to call for a moratorium on offensive arms sales or transfers to Israel until such time as Israel comes into compliance with settled international law regarding territorial expansion by force; and be it further
Resolved, That the members of this church are be asked
to pray and work for a just and equitable peace until such day when
that peace arrives, through the help of the God who created all of
Proposed Amendment:
The Rt. Rev. Martha Stebbins, Diocese of Montana moved an amendment to the resolution (FA038) to change “genocide” to “plausible genocide.”
A vote was taken on the amendment.
Motion defeated
Amendment defeated
The Rt. Rev. Peter Eaton, Southeast Florida made a motion to postpone this resolution to a time certain.
Motion carried
Consideration postponed
Discussion continued on Resolution D056 (Calling for a Ceasefire in Gaza).
The Rt. Rev. John Harvey Taylor, Diocese Los Angeles moved an amendment to the resolution (FA049).
Proposed Amendment:
That the 81st General Convention decries decry the ongoing genocide by the Israeli government against the Palestinian people in Gaza, and the attacks of October 7th by Hamas against Israeli civilians; That
the 81st General Conventiond decry the terrorist attack on Israel on
October 7, 2023, and the ongoing terrorist activity of Hamas, as well as
the disproportionate loss of Palestinian lives that continues in
Israel's war against Hamas; and be it further
Resolved, That we the 81st General Convention also lament the ongoing complicity of the United States, of which many of us are citizens, and other nations of the world, in the continuing devastation in Gaza, and we accept the call of Christ to be makers of peace in the midst of a culture that encourages violence and war; and be it further
Resolved, That the presiding officers set aside a
specific day in the upcoming year as a day of fasting, prayer, and
mourning for the lives lost in Israel/Palestine in this genocide; That
the Presiding Bishop and President of the House of Deputies set aside a
specific day of fasting, prayer, and mourning for the lives lost in
Israel and Palestine in this conflict, including urgent prayers that the
conflict not end in genocide; and be it further
Resolved, That all members of this church are be urged to contact their elected representatives in Congress to ask for a comprehensive, equitable,
and immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and that materials for such an ask be
made available by the Episcopal Public Policy Network; and be it further
Resolved, That the members of this church ask their
elected representatives to call for a moratorium on offensive arms sales
or transfers to Israel until such time as Israel comes into compliance
with settled international law regarding territorial expansion by force;
and be it further
Resolved, That the members of this church are be asked
to pray and work for a just and equitable peace until such day when
that peace arrives, through the help of the God who created all of us.
Proposed Amendment:
The Rt. Rev. Peter Eaton, Southeast Florida moved to amend the amendment. In the third Resolve clause, after the phrase at “urgent prayers…” add “that a way be found as soon as possible for the establishment of a pathway to a secure peace both for Israel and Palestine and the renewal of work towards a two-state solution”.
Debate ensued on the amendment to the amendment.
The Rt. Rev. Mariann Budde, Diocese of Washington made a motion to end debate on the amendment and on the resolution.
Motion carried
Debate terminated
The amendment to the amendment was restated.
A vote was taken on the amendment to the amendment.
Motion defeated
Amendment defeated
A vote was taken on the amendment.
Motion carried
Amendment adopted
A vote was taken on Resolution D056.
Motion carried
Resolution adopted with amendment
(Communicated to the House of Deputies in HB Message #103)
House of Deputies
Following a report from the House of Deputies Committee on Social Justice and International Policy, there was a time for questions on Resolutions D007, D013, and D056.
Special Order of Business
The Secretary announced it was time to resume the Special Order of Business and consider Resolution D056.
The House of Deputies Committee on Social Justice and International Policy presented its Report #40 on HB Message #103 on Resolution D056 (Calling for a Ceasefire in Gaza) and moved adoption with amendment.
Committee Amendment:
That the 81st General Convention decry the terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and the ongoing terrorist activity of Hamas, as well as and disproportionate loss of Palestinian lives that continues in Israel's war against Hamas the ongoing genocide by the Israeli government against the Palestinian people in Gaza; and be it further
Resolved, That the 81st General Convention also lament the ongoing complicity of the United States, of which many of us are citizens, and other nations of the world, in the continuing devastation in Gaza, and accept the call of Christ to be makers of peace in the midst of violence and war; and be it further
Resolved, That the Presiding Bishop and President of the
House of Deputies set aside a specific day of fasting, prayer, and
mourning for the lives lost in Israel and Palestine in this conflict,
including urgent prayers that the conflict not end in genocide genocide end; and be it further
Resolved, That all members of this church be urged to contact their elected representatives in Congress to ask for a comprehensive, equitable, and immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and that materials for such an ask be made available by the Episcopal Public Policy Network; and be it further
Resolved, That the members of this church be asked to pray and work for a just and equitable peace until such day when that peace arrives, through the help of the God who created all of us.
Debate ensued.
Deputy Castellan of Central New York moved an amendment to the resolution (FA065).
Proposed Amendment:
That the 81st General Convention decry the terrorist terrorist attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, and and the ongoing terrorist activity of Hamas, as well as and disproportionate loss of Palestinian lives that continues in Israel's war against Hamas as well as the disproportionate loss of Palestinian lives that continues in Israel's war with Hamas the ongoing genocide by the Israeli government against the Palestinian people in Gaza; and be it further
Resolved, That the 81st General Convention also lament the ongoing complicity of the United States, of which many of us are citizens, and other nations of the world, in the continuing devastation in Gaza, and accept the call of Christ to be makers of peace in the midst of violence and war; and be it further
Resolved, That the Presiding Bishop and President of the
House of Deputies set aside a specific day of fasting, prayer, and
mourning for the lives lost in Israel and Palestine in this conflict,
including urgent prayers that the conflict not end in genocide conflict not end in genocide; genocide end; and be it further
Resolved, That all members of this church be urged to contact their elected representatives in Congress to ask for a comprehensive, equitable, and immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and that materials for such an ask be made available by the Episcopal Public Policy Network; and be it further
Resolved, That the members of this church be asked to pray and work for a just and equitable peace until such day when that peace arrives, through the help of the God who created all of us.
Debate ensued on the amendment.
The President called on the Chaplain to lead the House in prayer.
A vote was taken on the amendment.
Motion carried
Amendment adopted
Debate continued on the resolution.
An electronic vote was taken on Resolution D056 as amended.
| Description | Response | % |
| Yes | 732 | 91.16 |
| No | 71 | 8.84 |
| Total | 803 |
Motion carried
The House concurred
(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #227)
The President called on the Chaplain to lead the House in prayer.
Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, June 26.
| Abstract: | The 81st General Convention decries the terrorist attack on Israel as well as the disproportionate loss of Palestinian lives in Israel’s war against Hamas. The Convention requests the Presiding Bishop and President of the House of Deputies set aside a day of fasting, prayer, and mourning for the lives lost in Israel and Palestine. The Convention further urges members of the church to pray for peace and to ask their elected representatives to work towards a ceasefire in Gaza. |
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| Notes: | The Castellan Floor Amendment returns the resolution to the language adopted by the House of Bishops, as such. President Julia Ayala Harris indicates that with Castellan's amendment, the House of Deputies was voting to concur with House of Bishops. |