* FINAL VERSION - Concurred

Resolution A127

Title:   Restorative Justice

Topic:   Reconciliation

Committee:   Social and Urban Affairs

House of Initial Action:   Bishops

Proposer:   Anti-Racism

Resolved, That the 75th General Convention of The Episcopal Church endorse the principles of restorative justice,  an important tool in implementing a neutral articulation of the self-examination and amendment of life that is required to fulfill our baptismal covenant; and be it further
Resolved, That the 75th Convention, in support of and to enhance Resolution A123, call upon the Anti-Racism Committee of Executive Council to design a study and dialogue process and materials in order to engage the people of The Episcopal Church in storytelling about historical and present-day privilege and under-privilege as well as discernment towards restorative justice and the call to fully live into our baptismal covenant; and be it further
Resolved, That in the spirit of inclusion, dioceses also be invited to determine whether their call is to conduct truth and reconciliation processes in regard to other histories and legacies of racial discrimination and oppression that may be applicable in their geographic area, while not diminishing the strong call to focus on the history and legacy of slavery; and be it further
Resolved, That the dioceses will give a progress report to the Anti-Racism Committee. The Anti-Racism Committee will report their findings and recommendations to the Standing Commission on National Concerns and to Executive Council and to the 76th General Convention; and be it further
Resolved, That the Church hold before itself the vision of a Church without racism; a Church for all races.


EXPLANATION

It is time for the Church community to collectively engage in reckoning with the full impact of racism, historically and in present day. Reconciliation and restorative justice are best achieved when they emerge from an honest examination and shared understanding of inequity and marginalization in Church and society.
This resolution proposes that the Church build on the model of Truth and Reconciliation in South Africa adding the third step of Justice to insure that action follows healing dialogue. Because the direct perpetrators and victims of historic injustices such as African slavery and Native American genocide are no longer living, this initiative will focus on the question of what do we as inheritors of under-privilege and privilege need to face together in Christ in order to be made whole.

An important tool in implementing this intentionally comprehensive process are the principles of restorative justice  which provide a neutral articulation of the self-examination and amendment of life that is required to fulfill our baptismal covenant. Particular emphasis will be placed on inspiring both whites and people of color in ways that recognize and honor their ethnic, cultural and historical backgrounds. Both the healing process and the corrective actions which follow must occur at all levels of the church, both corporately and individually.
Finally, by engaging in these processes internally, the Church will be in a position to take moral leadership in calling on the nation to engage in such processes. In this vein, the Church would specifically call on congress to create a process of exploration, dialogue and problem-solving around the history and legacy of slavery.


* The final language, as well as the final status of each resolution, is being reviewed by the General Convention office. The Journal of the 75th General Convention and the Constitution and Canons will be published once the review process has been completed.