June 16, 2006
By Daphne Mack

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The House of Bishops has approved, with amendments, resolution A123: "Slavery and Racial Reconciliation." The resolution declares "unequivocally, that the institution of slavery in the United States and anywhere else in the world" is a sin. It calls on the church to acknowledge its history and participation in this sin. The resolution would have the Executive Council initiate a comprehensive program that would urge every diocese to collect information about the complicity of the church towards the institution of slavery in its communities, including the economic benefits the church derived. The Presiding Bishop would be requested to name a Day of Repentance at Washington National Cathedral. Dioceses would be asked to hold similar services.

Episcopal News Service
Daphne Mack is a reporter for the Episcopal News Service