This Library contains documents from all recent United Church governance meetings, including General Council and its Executive. It will also soon include “Our Beliefs Explained” official policy documents dating back several decades. If you can't find something you think should be included, contact gcbusiness@united-church.ca.
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The 32nd General Council urge the government of Canada to prohibit the testing of cruise missiles over Canadian territory.
The 30th General Council called on the Canadian government to, “Base a policy of Canadian security upon the pursuit of mutual understanding and confidence building, rather than on the development of nuclear warfare civil defence measures.” (p. 57, 30th General Council Record of Proceedings)
WHEREAS we believe that the Canadian government’s policy and practice of aid for Central American countries do not respect the situation as we see it through our partner’s experience and from our visits; and 1. whether or not a receiving government protects the human rights of its citizens, and 2. whether or not the receiving government is committed to authentic development which will benefit the whole of its people, and there is now a regionally created peace plan (the Esquipulas II Peace Accord) to which all concerned countries have agreed, a country’s compliance to its terms is not an additional criterion; and
WHEREAS no authentic peace is possible without justice; and WHEREAS the suffering of the Palestinian people under Israeli occupation is severe and unacceptable; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the 32nd General Council: Affirm strongly the interfaith organizations in Canada that are working for reconciliation in Israel and the occupied territories; Request the Division of World Outreach to consider providing further support and assistance to organizations in Israel that are striving for cooperation and peace, including the Middle East Council of Churches in its particular ministry of reconciliation;
WHEREAS we affirm Jesus Christ as the life-giver of the world; and WHEREAS submarines may usually bear arms and arms bring death, not life; and WHEREAS the government of Canada has decided to buy a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines at an estimated cost of $8 billion dollars; and WHEREAS the Canadian Centre for Arms Control and Disarmament released a study on February 24, 1988, which concludes that building, staffing, hand operating these submarines could drive the total costs to between 12.5 billion dollars and 14.8 billion dollars
WHEREAS nuclear-powered submarines will not increase our security; and WHEREAS the use of nuclear technology for military purpose will be seen as being provocative and as contravening our previous agreements to use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes only; and WHEREAS the cost of nuclear submarines is not justifiable on any grounds, especially in view of unmet human needs; for example, the predicted famine in Africa this year:
Having heard petition #81, the Sessional Committee No. 11 recognizes the theological rationale and preamble, but offers the following resolution: 1 That the General Council of The United Church of Canada reaffirm The United Church of Canada’s previous statements concerning anti-semitism. 2 Review our actions and acknowledge the silence of our church during the years 1933-1945 in relation to the Holocaust in Europe. Racism, Justice, Anti-Semitism, Holocaust, Jews, Theological Education, Ecumenical, Interfaith, Religious, Religion, Ethno-cultural
WHEREAS various individuals and organizations in Canada are publishing and distributing “hate literature” against Jews and other racial and ethnic groups; WHEREAS such writings and distribution of racist ideas and material are in direct opposition to the spirit of Jesus Christ who taught love, reconciliation and the brotherhood/sisterhood of the human family; Racism, Justice, Anti-Semitism, Holocaust, Jews, Ecumenical, Interfaith, Ethno-cultural
Theological Affirmation We affirm that the Christian conviction that God loves and cares for all people includes persons with AIDS, and we reject the argument made by some that AIDS is God’s punishment for homosexuals. HIV/AIDS, Human Rights
THAT this 31st General Council: 1 INSTRUCT the Investment Committee through the Division of Finance to divest the church of all investments in corporations and companies having direct equity investment* in South Africa until power is shared democratically among all peoples of South Africa; and
