From the Executive Council of The Episcopal Church
Support for LGBTQ+ people in Ghana – Resolution MB 031
Resolved, that the Executive Council meeting in Linthicum Heights, Maryland on October 28, 2021 express its grave concern that the House of Bishops of the Anglican Church in Ghana have endorsed action before the Parliament of Ghana that would criminalize homosexual activity, LGBTQ self-identification and advocacy in support of LGBTQ people; and be it further,
Resolved, that The Episcopal Church has recognized and commended “the unconditional love and support that families, communities, scholars, and activists have shown to their Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBTQ ) [siblings] in Africa who are at risk of violence, discrimination, and imprisonment” (2015-A051); and be it further,
Resolved, that The Episcopal Church has affirmed since 1976 “that homosexual persons are children of God who have a full and equal claim with all other persons upon the love, acceptance, and pastoral concern and care of the Church” (1976-A069); and be it further,
Resolved, that The Episcopal Church seeks to become a church “that looks and acts like Jesus…whose way of life is the way of Jesus and his way of love…no longer shoring up… anything else that hurts or harms any child of God.” (Remarks by Most Rev. Michael B. Curry) and be it further,
Resolved, that the Executive Council lament the harm done to LGBTQ people anywhere through discriminatory laws, policies, and harmful attitudes, and grieves the harm done by any churches that support attitudes, laws or practices which fall short of the way of love; and be it further,
Resolved, that the Executive Council urge the Office of Global Partnerships, dioceses and congregations throughout The Episcopal Church to offer support to partner dioceses, including through working with affirming organizations, to help those persons who have suffered, and continue to suffer, harm; and be it further,
Resolved, that the Executive Council direct the Office of Government Relations to advocate to the U.S. Government for the human rights for all people including LGBTQ persons; and be it further,
Resolved, that the Executive Council call upon the dioceses and congregations of The Episcopal Church to encourage partner dioceses and congregations to oppose all LGBTQ criminalization efforts, and to help those persons who have suffered, and continue to suffer harm; and be it further,
Resolved, that the Executive Council urge the House of Bishops of the Anglican Church in Ghana to reconsider their endorsement of this action due to the global impact of such decisions, inviting conversations to establish stronger bonds of affection and better protection of all in both of our churches.