To the Bishops and Deputies of the Episcopal Church Assembled at the 80th General Convention,

Our Baptismal Covenant calls us to “respect the dignity of every human being” and our Church continually strives to live out this call. As a Church, we have made historic and ongoing commitments to civil and human rights, often taking the right stance even if it is the difficult stance. In our current cultural climate, it is increasingly necessary to boldly proclaim the humanity inherent in all.  

Therefore, this 80th General Convention reaffirms all past General Convention and Executive Council resolutions protecting and advocating for human and civil rights, specifically, but not exclusively, including the following as key examples of our Church’s commitment to these rights:

2018-D032 Equal Access to Health Care Regardless of Gender

2012-D018 Urge Repeal of Federal Laws Discriminating Against Same-Sex Marriage

2009-D012 Support Laws that Prohibit Discrimination Based on Gender Identity

2018-A229 Acknowledge Police Violence and Confront Racism; and be it further 

Resolved, that the Episcopal Church will continue to champion the rights of the least amongst us, living into our baptismal promise to “respect the dignity of every human being.”

EXPLANATION: 

The Episcopal Church has placed human and civil rights firmly within the theology of our tradition and the practice of our faith. Now, as some tout the erosion of these rights as the “Christian” choice we must reaffirm our commitment to these rights within and beyond our Church.