The Resolution for Telling the Truth about The Episcopal Church’s History with Indigenous Boarding Schools again expresses the denomination’s support for federal legislation creating a Truth and Healing Commission to reckon with the country’s history of boarding schools similar to Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
It also incorporates language from a second resolution acknowledging the intergenerational trauma caused by the schools and directing the denomination to support community-based spiritual healing centers in Indigenous communities.
The denomination has budgeted $225,000 for that work.
“This is important work, and it’s for all of us,” Bishop Mark Lattime of the Diocese of Alaska said.
“You might think your diocese doesn’t have a history of boarding schools with Indigenous people, and — while that might be true — there isn’t a diocese in this church that doesn’t have a history with Indigenous people.”
Despite precautions, 26 people still tested positive for COVID-19 at the convention, according to Episcopal News Service. Other denominations also have seen some COVID cases as they’ve resumed in-person meetings this summer, including the Southern Baptist Convention, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.
This article originally appeared on ReligionNews.com.
