Resolved, That the Executive Council of The Episcopal Church, meeting in Omaha, Nebraska,
February 19-21, 2010
- Reasserts The Episcopal Church’s long-standing
belief that war is inconsistent with the teachings of Jesus Christ; and
remembers with sorrow those on all sides of the hostilities in Afghanistan who
have been wounded, traumatized or killed;
- Recalls the tragic terrorist acts of September 11,
2001 that led the United States and its allies to launch military action
against Al-Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan;
- Supports the goal of achieving a just and lasting peace in Afghanistan free of
terrorism and foreign occupation;
- Welcomes the setting of a timetable for withdrawal of forces beginning in 2011;
- Urges the United States and its allies to use force judiciously and protect the
innocent people of Afghanistan to the full extent possible;
- Asserts that an escalation in forces need not lead to an escalation in force,
and urges the U.S. military to use its increased presence in Afghanistan to
deter violence;
- Underscores the need for the government of Afghanistan to root out corruption
and earn legitimacy by strengthening its own security forces to hasten the
withdrawal of foreign troops;
- Encourages the United States and its allies to promote economic development and
human rights for the victimized people of Afghanistan;
- Prays for the safety and well-being of U.S. troops serving in Afghanistan, and
for all those who have been wounded, traumatized or killed and for a swift and
peaceful end to the war;
- Urges the U.S. Congress to provide for the material, financial, medical and
spiritual needs of troops deployed to Afghanistan and their families; and
- Acknowledges the pastoral challenges presented by
multiple deployments and combat stress, and commends the Episcopal Church's
Federal Ministries/Chaplaincy Office for assistance with resources such as
their recently distributed DVD instructing parishes on effective ministries to
soldiers and families.
