May 6, 2003
The following is a true copy of a Resolution adopted by the Executive Council at its meeting on April 28 – May 1, 2003 in Ellicott City, Maryland, at which a quorum was present and voting.
Resolved, that the Executive Council, while mindful of anxieties and genuine security needs generated by the events of 9/11, expresses its deepening concern and opposition to emerging policies and practices of our government that infringe upon the rights of immigrants who are members of certain religious and national groups; and be it
Resolved that Council opposes any further expansion or extension of the Patriot Act of 2001 which
would further curtail the civil rights of ethnic and religious minorities thus threatening our nation’s revered and fundamental respect for civil liberties; and be it
Resolved that those Church ministries which serve and advocate on behalf of refugees and immigrants and other minorities work to oppose unfair and unjust treatment of racial and ethnic minorities, and that the whole Church at every level collaborate with other faith bodies, communions, and immigrant rights and human rights organizations to redress these concerns; and be it
Resolved that the Episcopal Church use every means possible to express solidarity with members of the Islamic faith whose loyalty to the United States has been amply demonstrated by their participation in our society as law abiding residents; and be it
Resolved that Council share with the whole Church and appropriate members of government, including the President of the United States and the Attorney General, and members of the Islamic community, the text of this resolution as an indication of this Church's strong opposition to the restrictive measures now being invoked against certain immigrant groups without adhering to the constitutional safeguards that should be available to such persons.
EXPLANATION: Since September 11th, 2001, the United States has responded to the tragic events of that day by enacting the Patriot's Act and issuing various Executive measures which have resulted in certain ethnic, national, and religious immigrant groups being identified as having a greater propensity to commit, aid, or support acts of terror. The consequence of such actions has been the creation of a climate of fear, mistrust, suspicion and alienation directed at such groups.
The Rev. Rosemari G. Sullivan
Secretary of the Executive Council and the Domestic
and Foreign Missionary Society of the Protestant
Episcopal Church in the United States of America
May 6, 2003
The following is a true copy of a Resolution adopted by the Executive Council at its meeting on April 28 – May 1, 2003 in Ellicott City, Maryland, at which a quorum was present and voting.
Resolved, that the Executive Council, while mindful of anxieties and genuine security needs generated by the events of 9/11, expresses its deepening concern and opposition to emerging policies and practices of our government that infringe upon the rights of immigrants who are members of certain religious and national groups; and be it
Resolved that Council opposes any further expansion or extension of the Patriot Act of 2001 which
would further curtail the civil rights of ethnic and religious minorities thus threatening our nation’s revered and fundamental respect for civil liberties; and be it
Resolved that those Church ministries which serve and advocate on behalf of refugees and immigrants and other minorities work to oppose unfair and unjust treatment of racial and ethnic minorities, and that the whole Church at every level collaborate with other faith bodies, communions, and immigrant rights and human rights organizations to redress these concerns; and be it
Resolved that the Episcopal Church use every means possible to express solidarity with members of the Islamic faith whose loyalty to the United States has been amply demonstrated by their participation in our society as law abiding residents; and be it
Resolved that Council share with the whole Church and appropriate members of government, including the President of the United States and the Attorney General, and members of the Islamic community, the text of this resolution as an indication of this Church's strong opposition to the restrictive measures now being invoked against certain immigrant groups without adhering to the constitutional safeguards that should be available to such persons.
EXPLANATION: Since September 11th, 2001, the United States has responded to the tragic events of that day by enacting the Patriot's Act and issuing various Executive measures which have resulted in certain ethnic, national, and religious immigrant groups being identified as having a greater propensity to commit, aid, or support acts of terror. The consequence of such actions has been the creation of a climate of fear, mistrust, suspicion and alienation directed at such groups.
The Rev. Rosemari G. Sullivan
Secretary of the Executive Council and the Domestic
and Foreign Missionary Society of the Protestant
Episcopal Church in the United States of America
