A Resolution of the 1964 General Convention
"Deicide and the Jews"
General Convention of the Episcopal Church [USA]
1964
Posted with the permission of the
Whereas Within the Church, throughout the centuries, loveless attitudes including the charge of deicide, have frequently resulted in persecution of the Jewish people and a concomitant revulsion on the part of the Jewish people towards the un-Christ-like witness thus made; and
Whereas, Obedience to the Lord of the Church requires an honest and clear expression of love for our neighbour; and
Whereas, Persecution of the Jews has been recently intensified in certain areas of the world; and
Whereas, Lack of communication between Christians and Jews, and the resulting ignorance and suspicion of each other, has been a barrier to Christian obedience of the Law of Love; be it
Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the General Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America, meeting in St. Louis in October, 1964, reject the charge of deicide against the Jews and condemn anti-Semitism; and be it further
Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the General Convention condemn unchristian accusations against the Jews; and that this Church seek positive dialogue with appropriate representative bodies of the Jewish Faith; and be it further
Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the substance of this Resolution be referred to the Joint Commission on Ecumenical Relations for continuing study and suggested implementation.