Resolves of the Executive Council

Resolved, That the Executive Council of The Episcopal Church, meeting in Salt Lake City from March 19-21, 2015, condemn the use of religion for the purpose of advancing political agendas directed at terrorizing, victimizing, and oppressing individuals and communities and impairing their ability to enjoy basic human rights because of their religious beliefs and social, ethnic, class, caste, gender, and national affiliations, recognizing that such religious persecution has not been limited to any one conflict area on the globe nor to any one lawless, militant regime; and be it further

Resolved, That the Executive Council condemn serious violations of international humanitarian law and gross human rights violations and abuses, including: attacks directly targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure, executions and other targeted killings of civilians, abductions, rape and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence perpetrated against women and children, slavery and trafficking of women and children, forced recruitment of children to engage in armed conflict and carry bombs strapped to their bodies, destruction or desecration of places of religious or cultural significance, wanton destruction and looting of property, and denial of fundamental freedoms; and be it further

Resolved, That the Executive Council call on the governments of the world’s nations to confront the reality of religious persecution in places such as the Middle East, Asia, and other contexts around the world; protect religious minorities and civilians within the framework of international and humanitarian law; address political exclusion and economic desperation that are being manipulated by the forces of extremists; scale up humanitarian and development assistance to host countries and trusted NGOs; and accept for resettlement a fair share of the most vulnerable people where return to their countries of origin is impossible; and be it further

Resolved, That Executive Council encourage all Episcopalians and especially Episcopal dioceses, missionary areas, and congregations to engage in prayers, support, education, and advocacy for the displaced people and the churches-on-the-ground that are providing succor and hope to those displaced people who have been uprooted by conflict and living in refugee camps.