Washington, D.C. July 28, 1997 (ICT) -- On July 25 the 72nd General Convention of the Episcopal Church in the United States passed a resolution expressing "concern for the safety and future" of the Tibetan people and urging "direct dialogue" between the Chinese leadership and the Dalai Lama.

The Episcopal General Convention is held once every three years to determine policies of the church in America, which is 2.4 million strong. The Episcopal church has often taken a leadership role in speaking out on behalf of the oppressed in the United States and in all parts of the world, including in South Africa. This resolution marks the first time the church has grappled with the issue of Tibet and the Tibetan people.

Concern for Tibet is widespread within the Episcopal church in America and a number of resolutions at regional levels have been passed, in the tradition of speaking up on behalf of the oppressed. A strongly-worded

draft resolution had been presented to the General Convention.

The final resolution drafted by the Subcommittee on National and International Problems, which was ultimately passed by the General Convention with modifications, took a much more moderate tone and approach. A number of church leaders involved in China urged the Subcommittee and the Committee to consider the significant difficulties that a strongly-worded resolution could bring upon the Protestant Church in China.

The resolution called for "direct dialogue between representatives of the Peoples Republic of China and the Dalai Lama and/or his representatives." It also called for "further dialogue with the Chinese Christian Council to develop deeper ties and to seek a better understanding of the situation in China and Tibet."

Bhuchung Tsering and John Ackerly of the International Campaign for Tibet attended meetings on this resolution at the General Convention to urge the church to use its moral authority on behalf of the Tibetan people. "We hope that this resolution helps the Episcopal Church to address this issue better and to determine how the church can use its influence and prestige in bearing witness to Tibet's plight and helping to bring a peaceful resolution to the crisis," said Bhuchung Tsering, Director of Communications for ICT.

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TEXT OF THE RESOLUTION PASSED BY THE 72ND GENERAL CONVENTION OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN PHILADELPHIA

(Passed by House of Deputies on July 21, 1997 and by the House of Bishops on July 25, 1997)

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That this 72nd General Convention affirms the importance of Tibetan culture and religion that teaches nonviolence and peacemaking as a way of life and expresses concern for the safety and the future of its people; and be it further,

Resolved, That this General Convention sends greetings of affection to the Dalai Lama and encourages our Church in the United States to engage in dialogue with Buddhists through the Presiding Bishop's Committee on Interfaith Relations or other appropriate venues; and be it further

Resolved, That this General Convention sends warm greetings of affection to the China Christian Council (CCC), and expresses a desire for further dialogue with the CCC to develop deeper ties and to seek a better understanding of the situation in China and Tibet, and commends dioceses to seek companion relations with the Church in China, and encourages the Archbishop of Canterbury to ensure representation from the China Christian Council to the 1998 Lambeth Conference; and be it further

Resolved, That this General Convention also expresses a hope for the development of direct dialogue between representatives of the People's Republic of China and the Dalai Lama and/or representatives of the Dalai Lama, leading to increased understanding and respect between the Tibetan and Chinese people; and be it further

Resolved, that copies of this resolution be sent to the China Christian Council, the Dalai Lama, the President and Secretary of the State of the United States and appropriate members of Congress, the government of the People's Republic of China, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Anglican leaders, Consultative Council, the Lambeth Conference, the National Council of Churches USA and the appropriate corporations doing business in China.