By Miguel Bustos, manager for racial justice and reconciliation
The 81st General Convention of The Episcopal Church marked an important point in our journey toward justice, particularly in terms of racial justice and reconciliation. Several resolutions passed during this convention demonstrate the church’s persistent commitment to resolving racial disparities and building a community based on love and justice. As we reflect on these watershed moments, it becomes clear that the church’s purpose is consistent with the larger work of justice in our world today.
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry frequently reminds us, “If it is not about love, it is not about God.” This meaningful remark acts as a guiding concept for our actions. The resolutions passed at the convention reflect our collective work to embody this ideal, ensuring that our decisions and actions reflect the love and justice that God wants us to seek. The convention’s resolutions address a wide range of racial justice and reconciliation issues, from admitting past wrongs to establishing measures to effect system change. And as our presiding bishop-elect, Sean Rowe, said during his address to the House of Deputies, “Our broken world badly needs us to address them even more strategically and more effectively. This is the work God is calling us to do.”
One of the most telling aspects of the General Convention was the recognition that our work is far from complete. The Beloved Community—a vision of a world where all people are cherished and loved—is still an aspirational ideal that necessitates constant commitment and work. The resolutions are more than just symbolic gestures; they are actionable pledges that necessitate our personal participation and ongoing effort.
As we move forward, remember that our job is founded on love. Love for God, love for one another, and love of justice. Let us take the resolutions on racial justice and reconciliation seriously and commit to the ongoing task of creating the Beloved Community. Together, with our faith’s guidance and our church’s support, we can build a world that reflects God’s love, mercy, and justice.
Below is a list of racial justice resolutions passed at the 81st General Convention.
Successful Racial Justice, Healing, and Reconciliation-related Legislation
Originating from dioceses, committees, task forces, and other entities, race-related resolutions abounded at the General Convention. This curated list includes resolutions that received approval from both houses at convention. Resolutions highlighted in bold spurred extensive discussion or carried notable funding implications.
A015: Owning a Commitment to Reparations
https://www.vbinder.net/resolutions/464?house=HD&lang=en
A020: Establish a Standing Commission on Care of Creation and Environmental Racism
https://www.vbinder.net/resolutions/470?house=HD&lang=en
A027: Increase recruitment, hiring, appointment, retention, and representation of People of Color in church positions
https://www.vbinder.net/resolutions/473?house=HD&lang=en
A031: Translate Reconciliation Resources into Spanish
https://www.vbinder.net/resolutions/477?house=HD&lang=en
A034: Promoting Equitable Formation for Future Church Leaders through Dismantling Racism and Achieving Racial Justice and Healing Education in Seminaries and Schools of Theological Education
https://www.vbinder.net/resolutions/480?house=HD&lang=en
A035: Establish Model Policies for Anti/Racism/Racial Reconciliation Work
https://www.vbinder.net/resolutions/481?house=HD&lang=en
A036: Amend Canons to Use Approved Common Terminology to Describe Anti-Racism Work
https://www.vbinder.net/resolutions/482?house=HD&lang=en
A099: Task Force for Indigenous Justice To Increase Advocacy Groups Reflecting Creation Care and Environmental Justice Ministries
https://www.vbinder.net/resolutions/552?house=HD&lang=en
A127: Establish a Working Group to Update Biographies in Lesser Feasts and Fasts
https://www.vbinder.net/resolutions/600?house=HD&lang=en
A148: Amend Canons to Underscore Support for the Episcopal Coalition for Racial Equity and Justice
https://www.vbinder.net/resolutions/665?house=HD&lang=en
A167: Water Rights for Indigenous Communities and Lands
https://www.vbinder.net/resolutions/724?house=HD&lang=en
C009: Petition of the Episcopal Church In Navajoland to become a Missionary Diocese
https://www.vbinder.net/resolutions/570?house=HD&lang=en
C011: Add Howard W. Thurman to The Episcopal Church Calendar
https://www.vbinder.net/resolutions/573?house=HD&lang=en
C012: Add Howard W. Thurman to the Episcopal Church Calendar
https://www.vbinder.net/resolutions/574?house=HD&lang=en
C032: A Prayer to Remember the Innocents
https://www.vbinder.net/resolutions/684?house=HD&lang=en
D006: Rejecting the Theology and Politics of Christian Zionism
https://www.vbinder.net/resolutions/617?house=HD&lang=en
D008: Protection of Water “Ola i Ka Wai – Water is Life”
https://www.vbinder.net/resolutions/619?house=HD&lang=en
D015: Examine the disparity in treatment in the adjudication of Clergy under Title IV Disciplinary Process by Race, Gender, and Sexual Orientation
https://www.vbinder.net/resolutions/638?house=HD&lang=en
D016: Continued Funding of The Beloved Community
https://www.vbinder.net/resolutions/639?house=HD&lang=en
D034: Support and Advocacy for Restorative Justice and a Moral Commitment to Abolition of Prisons and Policing
https://www.vbinder.net/resolutions/679?house=HD&lang=en
D037: Encourage All Ministries of The Episcopal Church to Assess Intersections with Migration
https://www.vbinder.net/resolutions/685?house=HD&lang=en
D054: A Resolution to Address The Issue of Black Maternal Mortality Rate
https://www.vbinder.net/resolutions/714?house=HD&lang=en
D059: Addressing Antisemitism in the Church and the World
https://www.vbinder.net/resolutions/725?house=HD&lang=en
D062: Support and Solidarity with Armenia
https://www.vbinder.net/resolutions/728?house=HD&lang=en
D066: Creating a Task Force for Truth-Telling, Reckoning and Reconciliation for LGBTQIA+
https://www.vbinder.net/resolutions/732?house=HD&lang=en
D073: Procedure for Reconciliation: Amend Canon 1.17.6
https://www.vbinder.net/resolutions/738?house=HD&lang=en
D074: Renouncing the Theology of Slavery held by the Rev. James Craik, 11th President of the House of Deputies
https://www.vbinder.net/resolutions/741?house=HD&lang=en
D076: Supporting Reparative Investment Vehicles
https://www.vbinder.net/resolutions/747?house=HD&lang=en
D077: Celebrating and Continuing the Work and Witness of the Church of the Advocate, Site of the Ordination of the Philadelphia Eleven
https://www.vbinder.net/resolutions/771?house=HD&lang=en