California Episcopalians Actively Engaged in the Work of Resolutions

Six resolutions were brought before the 157th Annual Convention by the Committee on Resolutions, and all were passed -- but not until each had its full hearing.

Resolution #1: Establishment of Task Force to Implement 2006 General Convention Resolutions related to Racial Reconciliation and Restorative Justice

According to the official description of the first resolution, there has not been sufficient work done in the Diocese of California “to address institutionalized racism.” The description continues: “Until the racism of our Bay Area institutions, including the institution of the church, is fully explored, we will be unable to move from personal reflection to corporate reconciliation.”

The resolution establishes a Reconciliation and Restorative Justice Task Force that will convene over three years to study “a) the complicity of the Episcopal Church in the institution of slavery and the subsequent history of segregation and discrimination and b) the economic benefits the Episcopal Church derived from the institution of slavery.”

The resolution allocates $15,000 to fund the three-year study, and the task force is to provide a progress report to next-year’s convention. The resolution also provides for a “Service of Repentance” that will “be held in the diocese on the day designated a Day of Repentance by the Presiding Bishop to mark the commencement of this ministry.”

Eric Metoyer, a delegate from St. Mary the Virgin, San Francisco, rose in support of the resolution, saying: “I think it’s important for us to look back upon our history, upon the role of the church as a supporter of slavery through 1864 when Presiding Bishop Hadley said that slavery was still part of the will of God. And we have to look back to the days when black clergy were not fully admitted as part of the clergy of this church.”

One speaker spoke against spending $15,000 on the study recommended by the resolution, but the resolution passed with resounding support.

Resolution #2: Socially Responsible Investing

Sheila Simms, co-chair of the Peace, Justice and Hunger Commission submitted this resolution which provides for a policy of divestment in any companies “with direct operations in Sudan until such time that there is peace and justice in that country as determined by the Executive Council.” The resolution also calls for the Board of Directors to “recommend a socially responsible investment policy to the Standing Committee and Diocesan Council for adoption by the 158th Diocesan Convention.”

Resolution #3: Dissent from B033

On the final day of business at General Convention 2006, in Columbus, Ohio, in an attempt to respond to the Windsor Report, deputies and bishops passed B033, which calls on bishops and standing committees to “exercise restraint by not consenting to the consecration of any candidate to the episcopate whose manner of life presents a challenge to the wider church and will lead to further strains on communion.” The entire deputation from California and Bishop Marc voted against B033, which passed anyway.

Although there was some question about whether passage of the resolution would mean a vote of non-support for the new Presiding Bishop, the resolution passed with near unanimity.

Resolution #4: Commitment to the Listening Process

Both resolutions #3 and 4 were submitted by Oasis California and each calls for respecting the dignity of all Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) persons. In Resolution #4, the diocese is called to listen to the stories of LGBT persons, and the resolution results in the creation of a recorded history of LGBT ministries in the diocese and culminates in a “reconciliation and celebration” liturgy at Grace Cathedral.

Resolution #5: Diocesan Governance Review

Resolution #5 calls on the Standing Committee to support Bishop Marc’s “charge to the Standing Committee to review and recommend improvements to our Diocesan Governance.” The resolution was approved unanimously.

Resolution #6: Migration and Immigration Issues

Following a year of action by individuals in the Diocese of California calling on the U.S. Government to adopt comprehensive immigration reform in a just manner, resolution #6 puts their action into words on calls on the rest of the diocese to back their hard work. This resolution also helps to implement a national resolution (A017: Fundamental Immigration Principles), passed at General Convention in Columbus.

The main points of the national resolution are:

“Undocumented aliens should have reasonable opportunity to pursue permanent residency.

Legal workers should be allowed to enter the United States to respond to recognized labor force needs.

Close family members should be allowed to reunite without undue delay with individuals lawfully present in the United States.

Fundamental U.S. principles of legal due process should be granted all persons.

Enforcement of national borders and immigration policies should be proportional and humane.”

The resolution also opposes the militarization of the border between the U.S. and Mexico as a response to immigrants crossing the border seeking work.

The Rev. Anna Lange-Soto, who submitted the resolution, rose to ask for the convention to pass the amendment. The Rev. Gloria Del Castillo also spoke in favor of the amendment saying, “I am an immigrant, and we Christians are called to seek justice for all people -- including immigrants.”

All six resolutions were passed by significant majorities.