D066 (Creating a Task Force for Truth-Telling, Reckoning and Reconciliation for LGBTQIA+ )

House of Deputies Message #129

The House of Deputies informs the House of Bishops that on Jun 24, 2024 it considered resolution D066 (Creating a Task Force for Truth-Telling, Reckoning and Reconciliation for LGBTQIA+ ). The house acted to:

Adopt


Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring,

That The Episcopal Church recognize, repent, and atone for the harm it has caused to LGBTQIA+ people through actions, participation and support of homophobic/heterosexist and shaming cultures and systems; and be it further

Resolved, That the Episcopal Church recognize, repent, and atone for the ways that these actions, positions, and for participating in limiting the ability of The Church’s people to fully manifest the love of God and live into their baptismal covenants, sharing their gifts and authentic selves fully with the church and the world; and be it further

Resolved, That, as a result of these actions, a group of the ordained and laity within the church have been dissuaded of their calling and biased in their ordination processes. Some ordained and lay have been forced to remain closeted, and others still were deposed from ministry; and be it further

Resolved, that the 81st General Convention authorize the establishment of a Task Force for Truth-Telling, Reckoning, and Reconciliation for LGBTQIA+ for the purpose of helping the Church engage in truth-telling, confession, and reconciliation regarding discrimination, harassment, violence, and all harmful behaviors against LGBTQIA+ in all their forms including but not limited to those who were deposed from ministry, barred from discernment/ordination processes and excluded from full participation of all ministry of the baptized by those in power within the Church; and be it further

Resolved, That this Task Force be appointed jointly by the President of the House of Deputies and the Presiding Bishop in collaboration and consultation with the Gender Justice Officer, be composed of 12 members - 5 lay people (at least 4 of whom identify as LGBTQIA+), 4 priests or deacons members (at least 3 of whom identify as LGBTQIA+), and 3 bishops members (preferably at least 2 of whom identify as LGBTQIA+). The overall composition of this task force shall include people of color and reflect regional diversity. The overall composition of this task force shall include at least 5 members who have experienced LGBTQIA+ discrimination, harassment, and or violence and including experts in church jurisprudence and psychology; and be it further 

Resolved, This Task Force shall report its progress to the 82nd General Convention on the following tasks:

  • To develop a survey on discrimination, harassment, and violence against LGBTQIA+ in all their forms (truth-telling and reckoning) as we understand these sins, including but not limited to spiritual, and emotionally abusive behavior, and oppression based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. This survey should be distributed widely in the Episcopal Church for access by both laity and clergy no later than spring of 2025, said survey being available primarily on-line, and with adaptations made as determined by the task force to enable responses by those members of the general Church who may not have ready and easy access to the internet;
  • To conduct a review of survey responses and data regarding discrimination, harassment, and violent behavior that has been experienced by those who identify as LGBTQIA+ and the impact of this treatment on lay and ordained persons, their ministries, and the ministry of The Episcopal Church;
  • To create a Truth and Reconciliation process to guide churches, dioceses, provinces, and churchwide as they develop their own paths for reconciliation and restoration; recognizing a one-size-fits-all process will not be helpful given the diversity of our Church, and to plan a service of Lament, Apology and Reconciliation at the 82ndGeneral Convention which serves as a liturgical model to be used across The Episcopal Church and beyond.

And be it further

Resolved, That the General Convention request that Executive Council allocate $60,000 for the implementation of this resolution.