Explanation

It is evident to the Deputies of Color and the Latino Caucus that several dioceses from outside the United States of America have deputations less than what is allowed by the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church. We are aware of the difficulties many of our ethnic minority deputies from other countries have in obtaining visa and travel documents in today’s political climate. We are also aware of the extreme costs associated with international travel to the United States and General Convention costs which contributes to the absence of non-United States deputies to the 79th General Convention. Individual elected deputies of the General Convention should be provided resources to exercise the office they were elected to. Full enfranchisement of all elected deputies should be ensured by the General Convention. This is an issue of justice. Non-United States dioceses have ever increasing barriers to full participation in the life of The Episcopal Church. Given the current political climate it is evident that the resources currently available to Non-United States dioceses are not sufficient to participate in the life of The Episcopal Church. United States Citizen and those deputies residing in the jurisdiction of the United States are privileged in that their participation in General Convention comes at lower cost and with fewer hurdles.