The Episcopal Ecological Network (EpEN)

Implement
1988 Lambeth Resolution No.040 on the Environment

Resolution 1991-D041

Implement 1988 Lambeth Resolution No.040 on the Environment

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That this 70^th General Convention call for the implementation in this Church of Resolution #040 of the 1988 Lambeth Conference which states:

"This Conference:

1. identifies four inter-related areas in which the misuse of people or resources poses a threat to the life system of the planet, namely,
a. unjust distribution of the world's wealth
b. social injustice within nations
c. the rise of militarism
d. irreversible damage to the environment

and therefore:

2. calls upon each Province and Diocese to devise a program of study, reflection and action in which the following elements should play a part:
a. as a matter of urgency, the giving of information to our people of what is happening to our stewardship of God's earth for the care of our neighbors as a necessary part of Christian discipleship and a Christian contribution to citizenship;
b. actively to support by public statement and in private dialogue, the engagement of governments, transnational corporations, management and labor in an examination of what their decisions are doing to our people, and our land, air and water;
c. the opposition to the increase in the arms trade; questioning both excessive expenditure of scarce resources on weapons and trade policies which look upon arms sales as a legitimate source of increased export revenue;
d. the encouragement of Christians to re-examine the currently accepted economic policies which operate to the disadvantage of those with less bargaining power at every level from international to personal, and to use God's gifts of technology for the benefit of all;
e. the critical examination of the exercise of power, first within congregations and all other church bodies, and then in secular institutions which affect the lives of all. Insofar as the aim is to achieve a just and sustainable society world-wide, priority must be given to those modes which nurture people's gifts and evoke responsible participation rather than those which dominate and exclude;

3.a. commends, in general, the participation by every Province in the WCC's program for "Justice, Peace and the Integrity of Creation,"
b. urges churches, congregations and individual Christians to actively support all other agencies which share this urgent concern. In particular we commend a widespread study of the United Nations' report, "Our Common Future," and a participation by church bodies in the local responses it requires;
c. recommends that, in view of the resolutions passed by ACC-7, information concerning local needs and initiatives be shared throughout Provinces, possibly by extending the terms of reference for the existing Peace and Justice Network;
d. encourages people everywhere to make changes, personal and corporate, in their attitudes and life styles, recognizing that the wholeness of living requires a right relationship with God, one's neighbor and creation."

Originating Committee: Committee on Environment

Source: Archives of the Episcopal Church

The EpEN is a national network of active lay and clergy persons within the Episcopal Church, USA, who share a common concern for the environment and a common belief in the presence of God in all Creation and who work to make these concerns and beliefs known throughout all Provinces and Dioceses within the church. Members come from around the Episcopal Church USA. The activities of the EpEN are focused on the areas of Reflection, Education, and Action.

If you would like to contact any of these groups or to find out more about the EpEN, please click on the links on the left.