Resolutions
adopted by the 30th Annual Convention of the Diocese of Western Louisiana
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Resolution concerning the formation of an Anglican Communion Covenant
WHEREAS, The Diocesan Convention of 2006 passed a resolution that the Diocese of Western Louisiana become a Windsor Compliant diocese, and
WHEREAS, The Diocesan Convention of 2008 passed a resolution supporting, in principle, the adoption of an Anglican Covenant as the next step in the continuing Windsor process, and
WHEREAS, the Diocese of Western Louisiana remains committed to the constitutions and canons of The Episcopal Church while seeking to preserve our identity as constituent members of the global Anglican Communion, and
WHEREAS, The General Convention of 2009 passed Resolution D020 inviting dioceses and congregations "to consider the Anglican Covenant proposed draft as a document to inform their understanding of and commitment to our common life in the Anglican Communion," and
WHEREAS, the Bishop of the Diocese remains an active supporter of the principles outlined in the Windsor Report, including, in principle, the development and adoption of a proposed Anglican Covenant as a means of promoting our solidarity with the broader Anglican Communion and the historic See of Canterbury,
BE IT RESOLVED that the Diocese of Western Louisiana, meeting in convention this 10th day of October, 2009 fully reaffirms its commitment to the Windsor principles, including the formation of, and future adoption of an Anglican Covenant as a means of supporting the ongoing work of our Bishop and the efforts of the broader Communion to preserve our unity.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Convention supports the ongoing work on the Ridley Cambridge draft including section 4.
Respectfully submitted by:
St. Mark's Cathedral, Shreveport
Resolution on Human Dignity
In accordance with our Baptismal Covenant that "we seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself, strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being," as servants of God's will and in affirmation of our faith and Covenant, we propose the following resolution:
WHEREAS, the Diocese of Western Louisiana is committed to human dignity of all people; and
WHEREAS, we must be vigilant and responsive to the needs of the elderly, the abused and neglected, the disabled and the oppressed; and
WHEREAS, we must work together toward the provision of these needs so as to fulfill our commitment to enable those less fortunate to receive the blessings of God through the love and caring of fellow human beings:
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED
that the Diocese of Western Louisiana calls upon our Bishop, Standing Committee,
and Diocesan Council to encourage all parishes of the Diocese of Western Louisiana,
I. TO COMMIT to be a voice both locally and nationally and an advocate in
the community for the elderly, disabled, and oppressed for adequate health/drug
coverage, housing transportation, employment, and respect and recognition
in the church and community;
2. TO BECOME INVOLVED in the programs for the abused and neglected and to
provide the parishioners with information as to how they may be instrumental
in changing lives of those faced with abuse, neglect, domestic violence, and
racial inequality; and
3. TO INCLUDE in their newsletters at least annually, information on the aforementioned
concerns and an invitation to serve Christ by respecting the dignity of every
human being and advocating for improving the quality of life for all.
Submitted by:
The Episcopal Church of the Holy Cross, Shreveport
St. James Episcopal Church, Shreveport
Resolution on Relieving Poverty
In accordance with our Lord's mission stated in Isaiah 61: "The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, because he has appointed me to preach good news to the poor" , and in gratitude for all the blessings we have from God, and in obedience to God's will to minister to the poor, we propose the following resolution:
WHEREAS, the Diocese of Western Louisiana is committed to alleviating the suffering of the poor; and
WHEREAS, we heartily desire, as disciples of Christ, to continue His mission to the poverty stricken within our area and area of influence;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED
that the Diocese of Western Louisiana calls upon all convocations, parishes,
and communicants to participate in programs to relieve poverty, as evidenced
by, but not limited to: 1) substandard housing and degraded neighborhoods,
2) hunger and poor nutrition, 3) crime and gang influence, 4) inferior educational
opportunities and enrichment activities for children, adults, and older citizens,
5) unemployment, 6) homelessness, 7) lack of access to medical care;
That we may, through our works, serve as faithful disciples of our loving
God.
Submitted by:
The Episcopal Church of
the Holy Cross, Shreveport
St. James Episcopal Church, Shreveport
Resolution on Protecting our Environment
In accord with the responsibility God has given humankind (humanity? human beings?) to care for the earth God has created (Genesis 2:15); in acknowledgment that the earth is the Lord's and all that is in it (Ps. 24: 1) and that we make our home (live?) on the earth in gratitude to God, with the desire to exercise good stewardship of the earth and all her resources; and in unity with our common prayer as we gather to share our Lord's Supper, we propose the following resolution:
Whereas we of the Diocese of Western Louisiana live in gratitude for the good earth God has given us and pray for the wisdom and will to conserve it (The Prayers of the People, Form 1, BCP p. 384); and
Whereas all of life on earth depends on the health and the abundance of the earth and its waters for physical preservation and sustenance; and
Whereas abuse and degradation of the earth and waters bring injustice and strife, poverty and hunger among the earth's creatures and peoples, especially those without the resources to change their situations;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Diocese of Western Louisiana calls upon the clergy and lay people of all parishes in the diocese to promote education about the right use of the earth's resources, the harm done to the natural world and to all creatures by overuse and irresponsible practices, and the current and future prospects resulting from climate change; to incorporate practices, in daily life that confirm a reverence for the earth as God's own creation, using the earth's resources in the service of others and to God's honor and glory (The Prayers of the People, Form IV, BCP p. 388); and to advocate public policy in favor of the right use of the riches of creation, that the world may be freed from poverty, famine and disaster (The Prayers of the People, Form V, BCP, p. 390).
Submitted by:
The Episcopal Church of
the Holy Cross, Shreveport
St. James Episcopal
Church, Shreveport
On Protecting God's People
In accordance with our Lord's instruction to love our enemies (Luke 6:35), avoid revenge against those who have wronged us (Matthew 5:39) and pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44), and bearing in mind God's promise that those who keep peace will be called children of God (Matthew 5:9), and recalling the prophet Isaiah's prediction that "The Lord will prepare a banquet for all the nations of the world ... [and] he will remove the cloud of sorrow that has been hanging over all the nations," (Isaiah25: 6 8), we propose the following resolution:
WHEREAS, the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer contains a specific intercessory prayer on behalf of "all who work for freedom, justice, and peace;" and
WHEREAS, religious differences too often lead to conflicts which directly contradict the teachings of all major faiths for human beings to love and live in peace with one another; and
WHEREAS, a genuine ecumenical spirit among all faiths can temper the inclination toward war; and
WHEREAS, we recognize the human spirit as a gift from God to all, regardless of race, national origin, religion or any other influences which tend to alienate human beings from one another;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that this diocese strongly supports any and all efforts to work collaboratively with other faiths in pursuit of a world in which human suffering is reduced by our strong commitment to avoid war.
Submitted by:
The Episcopal Church of the Holy Cross, Shreveport
St. James Episcopal Church, Shreveport