The 227th Convention of the Diocese of New York

Resolutions
All resolutions presented at the Diocesan Convention were passed, except for one that was tabled for further review.

Among those that passed called for sacred sanctuaries for day laborers, helping migrant and farmworkers by offering hospitality, resources and support. As there was no comment from the floor, the Rev. Richard Witt, Director of Rural and Migrant Ministry, asked everyone before voting to “truly give thought to our resolution.”

The Convention then voted in support of “The United Nations Millennium Development Goals,” which call for the commitment to eradicating hunger, poverty, disease and environmental destruction throughout the world.

The delegates at Convention also passed a resolution to create a task force that would look into establishing a Diocesan credit union and then make a recommendation to the Trustees of the Diocese.

The next resolution called for a committee to research and then disseminate information about the School of the Americas, which trains soldiers from Latin America. The school is denounced by many religious and human rights organizations. The Rev. Earl Kooperkamp, St. Mary’s, Manhattanville, commented, “This is a vital concern, and I think it can be an important way to reach out through international mission.” The Rev. Jerry Miller, Zion, Wappingers Falls, who is a chaplain for the Army National Guard, said that he took exception to the statement in the resolution that says the Army trains students to torture. “That is not the case, and I want to make that clear,” he said.

A resolution that called for congregations to “raise up the concerns of immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers in their communities” was also passed at Convention. An amendment that called on the Diocesan Commission on Social Concerns to raise $22,000 for use in the next year by parish- and Diocesan-based programs that further this goal was also passed.

Delegates voted to table a resolution calling for the endorsement at the next General Convention of the Earth Charter, a statement by a variety of organizations and individuals in response to the 1997 Rio Earth Summit. Because delegates had not seen the statement before the day of the Diocesan Convention, the majority voted to table the discussion until the next Diocesan Convention.

The final resolution called for the creation of a Diocesan task force to review the issue of restitution to African-Americans who are descendents of slaves and to present a report at the 229th Diocesan Convention. The delegates voted in favor of this resolution.

Canons
The change to Canon 18, as presented by the Rev. Burt Ulrich, was approved with no discussion. The change calls for the Trustees to adjust the Diocesan budget between Conventions as necessary and present it to the Budget and Finance Committee for review, who in turn will present its recommendations to the Council.

227th Diocesan Convention

Bishop Sisk’s Address

Bishop Roskam’s Address & Bishop Taylor’s Address

Elections & Budget

Resolutions & Canons

Important Business of Convention

Photos

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