D019 Justice and Peace in Ukraine
Resolved, the House of ________________ concurring,
That the 81st General Convention condemns the war crimes committed in Ukraine as a result of the Russian Federation’s invasion, contrary to international law, and be it further
Resolved, That this Convention condemns Russia’s deliberate targeting of civilian targets, documented by the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (OHCHR), most notably committed in Bucha; and be it further
Resolved, That this Convention urges all Churches in Russia, especially the Russian Orthodox Church, to condemn these war crimes as inconsistent with our shared faith, and to call for peace and accountability; and be it further
Resolved, That this Convention calls for the Russian Federation to end its attacks in Ukraine, and for a just peace to be negotiated respecting all of Ukraine’s territory as recognized by international law; and be it further
Resolved, That this Convention urges all parties to respect and fully cooperate with any relevant investigations by International Bodies such as the International Criminal Court and the International Court of Justice to ensure that all those who commit war crimes are held to account for their actions
Explanation
The Episcopal Church has a moral obligation to speak out against injustice and violence wherever it occurs. Hebrews 12:14 is one of a myriad of verses in scripture that remind us of God’s call for creation to live in peace with all and respect the dignity of every human being. Sadly, we have seen Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine prosecuted with severe disregard for human lives, and it has been well documented that the Russian Federation has engaged in serious war crimes such as the deliberate targeting of civilians, the abduction through removal of Ukrainian families and childrens from their homes in Ukraine to Russia against their will, torture and ill-treatment of children, sexual violence, forced conscription, and looting.
We as a Church have an important role in serving as peacemakers in our world. Our role is even more important in calling out these war crimes as the Russian Orthodox Church has used theological justification for the war in Ukraine, and has enthusiastically supported Putin’s war of aggression and has failed to condemn Russia’s war crimes in Ukraine.
It is vital that we do our part as peacekeepers to call out these war crimes, and to urge the respect for International Law and a just peace that recognizes the rights and respects the dignity of the people of Ukraine.