Posted on 07/13/2005 5:42:35 PM PDT by sionnsar
The bishops of Northern Indiana and Rhode Island are calling on Episcopalians to reject proposals for selective divestment of companies that do business with Israel. Executive Council, the legislative body that oversees the Episcopal Church Center budget and implementation of General Convention resolutions when it is not in session, is scheduled to consider the matter when it meets in October.
The Rt. Rev. Edward S. Little II, Bishop of Northern Indiana, and the Rt. Rev. Geralyn Wolf, Bishop of Rhode Island, have sponsored a petition “to reject all proposals which seek to remove church investments from companies that do business with, or in, the State of Israel.” The bishops, both of whom were raised in Jewish homes, are specifically encouraging laity to become involved.
“Any action that we take as a Church must be based on a realistic understanding of the situation and hold both parties accountable,” Bishop Wolf said. “Unless the Arab world and Palestinians in particular are willing to acknowledge Israel’s right to exist, I don’t see how you can have the foundation for a lasting peace.”
Last month at its session in Nottingham, England, the Anglican Consultative Council passed 55 resolutions, including No. 36 which encouraged “the Episcopal Church (USA) to take appropriate action where it finds that its corporate investments support the occupation of Palestinian lands or violence against innocent Israelis.” The resolution also recommended that other provinces develop “investment strategies that support the infrastructure of a future Palestinian State” and review their existing investments in a manner similar to the one being contemplated by the Episcopal Church.
“Divestment singles out Israel as the ‘culprit’ and lacks an Anglican sense of nuance,” said Bishop Little. “Divestment picks one side in the conflict and fails to take into account the complexities of the Middle East. It is startling to me that we single out Israel and ignore grievous human rights abuses elsewhere. Selectively singling out nations for punishment does not become us as Christians.”
Furthermore divestment will remove the Episcopal Church as an intermediary in the peace process, according to Bishop Little.
“Adopting a strategy of divestment will take us out of the circle of those who could claim to be peacemakers,” he said. “If we are seen to be advocates for one side, our ability to be ministers of reconciliation will be fatally compromised.”
A news report on the ACC debate prior to passage of resolution No. 36 is available by clicking here
More information on the petition is available by clicking here
Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams. maybe the ECUSA could then divest itself of investments in countries that support fanatical wahabi muslim fundamentalism
Episcopalians are more evil than Israel, so what are we to do about them?
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