By Kirk Petersen The Executive Council of the Episcopal Church delayed action this week on a controversial proposal to create a "no-buy list" that would prevent church investment in companies seen as supporting Israel's occupation of the West Bank and Gaza. At a four-day meeting in Linthicum Heights, Maryland, the council also discussed how to provide interpretation and … [Read more...] about Council Considers Palestine, Lay Pensions and More
Israel
Two Apologies for Bishop’s Remarks
Nathaniel Ramanaden | Diocese of St. Asaph | bit.ly/2nOocrs After protests by CAMERA and the Simon Wiesenthal Center and coverage by Tablet, the Rt. Rev. Gayle E. Harris, Suffragan Bishop of the Diocese of Massachusetts, has apologized for remarks she made during General Convention. As the House of Bishops debated a resolution about human rights in Israel, Bishop Harris … [Read more...] about Two Apologies for Bishop’s Remarks
Israel-Palestine Divides the Houses
By Matthew Townsend and Kirk Petersen By the penultimate day of its deliberations, the 79th General Convention had settled several of the hot button issues anticipated in Austin — churchwide same-sex marriage, a salary for the president of the House of Deputies, and liturgical revision, to name a few. One topic, however, continues to elicit considerable debate: the church’s … [Read more...] about Israel-Palestine Divides the Houses
Deputies Move on MeToo, Israel
By Matthew Townsend In a busy legislative session on July 9, the House of Deputies passed a substitute resolution that continues the 79th General Convention’s effort to shed light on the harassment and exploitation of women in the church. Substitute Resolution D016 — or Seeking Truth, Reconciliation and Restoration — rolled together an original resolution by the same … [Read more...] about Deputies Move on MeToo, Israel
Ideas for Israel-Palestine Debate
David Paulsen reports for Episcopal News Service: A group of bishops and deputies who were asked to find a way to navigate the often-thorny discussions of Episcopal Church policy toward Israel and Palestine has announced its recommendations for fostering open and productive debate on those issues at General Convention this July. Five bishops and five members of the House of … [Read more...] about Ideas for Israel-Palestine Debate
Mennonites Approve Divestment
The Mennonite Church USA has voted to divest from companies that profit from Israel’s military presence in Palestine. The resolution passed by 98 percent July 6 during the denomination’s national convention in Orlando. It directs the church’s financial agency to withdraw investments from companies that are “profiting from the occupation” and asks individual Mennonites to do … [Read more...] about Mennonites Approve Divestment
Deputies Finish Work
By G. Jeffrey MacDonaldOn a fast-paced final day of business for General Convention, the House of Deputies killed an attempt to amend the church’s Constitution in a way that would have sealed episcopal authority to decide on using alternative liturgies.The move came as deputies acted on a raft of legislation on the last day of General Convention Friday. They passed dozens of … [Read more...] about Deputies Finish Work
Panel Hears Divestment Debate
By G. Jeffrey MacDonaldActivists frustrated by human-rights violations in the West Bank lined up in the early days of General Convention to urge divestment from companies doing business there.More than 50 observers filled chairs and sat on the floor as the Social Justice and International Policy Committee held a hearing that lasted several hours. Speakers were divided on the … [Read more...] about Panel Hears Divestment Debate