https://new.uccfiles.com/pdf/gs29-1.pdf

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CALLING FOR THE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST TO REPUDIATE THE

DOCTRINE OF DISCOVERY WHICH AUTHORIZED THE GENOCIDE OF NATIVE

PEOPLES AND THE THEFT OF NATIVE LANDS

Approved As Amended

A Resolution of Witness

THE TEXT OF THE MOTION

Whereas from the Crusades through the 16th century the Roman Catholic Church promulgated

several Papal Bulls which authorized and justified the destruction, killing and appropriating

lands of indigenous peoples. These Papal Bulls formulated the theological base for what became

the tragic genocide of American Indians; and

Whereas Protestant churches beginning as early as 1609 when English clergy in Jamestown

developed a coherent narrative that brought together a legal rationalization for invading America,

debasing American Indians and made a Christian commitment to convert Indians – a

commitment which they never delivered; and

Whereas the Supreme Court in 1823 in Johnson v. McIntosh incorporated into American law the

Doctrine by claiming the United States inherited the American conquest from the English; and

Whereas 1845 was the first time the phrase Manifest Destiny was used to affirm the USA was

called by Providence to dominate the continent for the free development of America's inevitable

growth. Manifest Destiny grew out of, and was based on, the Doctrine of Discovery; and

Whereas the United Nations adopted a resolution entitled United Nations Declaration on the

Rights of Indigenous Peoples in 2007 requesting nations to affirm, it took the United States four

years before it signed it; and

Whereas the World Council of Churches called upon its member churches to adopt its Statement

on the Doctrine of Discovery Impact on Indigenous Peoples, the UCC has not. The Episcopal

Church and the Council of Bishops of the United Methodist Church have done so.

Whereas there is a growing awareness and concern in the United States about the Doctrine, the

United Church of Christ, given its commitment to justice, has not yet participated in a formal

manner; and

Whereas not only has the Doctrine never been repudiated, court decisions against Indians have

been made within the past several decades based on the Doctrine.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Twenty-ninth General Synod of the United Church of

Christ repudiates the Doctrine of Discovery.

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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Twenty-ninth General Synod of the United Church of

Christ declares and confesses that the doctrine has been and continues to be a shameful part of

United States and our Church's history.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Twenty-ninth General Synod of the United Church of

Christ joins with its ecumenical partners to explore ways to compensate American Indians,

Alaskan Natives, and Native Hawaiians for lands and resources that were stolen and are still

being stolen and which are now the United States of America.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Twenty-ninth General Synod of the United Church of

Christ requests that Justice and Witness Ministries join with the Council for American Indian

Ministry and others to prepare educational materials for the churches.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Twenty-ninth General Synod of the United Church of

Christ requests that the substantive study materials developed by JWM and CAIM be presented

to the Thirtieth General Synod with suggestions for how the UCC might undertake various forms

of action. The Episcopal Church provides a model for such follow through.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Twenty-ninth General Synod of the United Church of Christ

calls upon the United States government to repudiate the Doctrine of Discovery.

FUNDING

The funding for the implementation of this resolution will be made in accordance with the

overall mandates of the affected agencies and the funds available.

IMPLEMENTATION

The Collegium of officers, in consultation with appropriate ministries or other entities of the

United Church of Christ will determine the implementing body.

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