D011 Doctrine of Discovery Training
Christian European monarchs and popes were historically responsibility for legitimizing colonial genocide of diverse Indigenous peoples through a series of three Papal Bulls of Discovery: Dum Diversas (1452), Romanus Pontifex (1455) and Inter Caetera (1493). The bulls form the basis of a body of law known as The Doctrine of Discovery, which remains in force today. Additionally, the Doctrine of Discovery historically informed the legal premise for justifying the enslavement of African and Asian peoples. In 2009, the 76th General Convention of The Episcopal Church passed resolution D-O35, calling for the Episcopal Church to review its policies and programs with a view to exposing the historical reality and impact of the Doctrine of Discovery and eliminating its presence in contemporary policies, programs and structures. Because the Doctrine of Discovery is a legacy of Christian missionization and colonialism, leadership in The Episcopal Church bears particular responsibility to know the historical role and impact of the Doctrine of Discovery. Additionally, the opportunity for direct engagement with Indigenous trainers promotes the Church’s work of racial reconciliation in ways that strive to heal and transform injustice and brokenness in ourselves, our communities, institutions and society. By providing Indigenous trainers for the education of all persons seeking ordination in the Church, Indigenous voices in the Church will be empowered to provide an educational experience which only they are truly qualified to present, informed as they are by their lived experience today and which cannot rightly be ascribed to the past. The Office of the Indigenous Missioner provides centralized leadership and has existing organizational resources to support this work.
Explanation
Christian European monarchs and popes were historically responsibility for legitimizing colonial genocide of diverse Indigenous peoples through a series of three Papal Bulls of Discovery: Dum Diversas (1452), Romanus Pontifex (1455) and Inter Caetera (1493). The bulls form the basis of a body of law known as The Doctrine of Discovery, which remains in force today. Additionally, the Doctrine of Discovery historically informed the legal premise for justifying the enslavement of African and Asian peoples. In 2009, the 76th General Convention of The Episcopal Church passed resolution D-O35, calling for the Episcopal Church to review its policies and programs with a view to exposing the historical reality and impact of the Doctrine of Discovery and eliminating its presence in contemporary policies, programs and structures. Because the Doctrine of Discovery is a legacy of Christian missionization and colonialism, leadership in The Episcopal Church bears particular responsibility to know the historical role and impact of the Doctrine of Discovery. Additionally, the opportunity for direct engagement with Indigenous trainers promotes the Church’s work of racial reconciliation in ways that strive to heal and transform injustice and brokenness in ourselves, our communities, institutions and society. By providing Indigenous trainers for the education of all persons seeking ordination in the Church, Indigenous voices in the Church will be empowered to provide an educational experience which only they are truly qualified to present, informed as they are by their lived experience today and which cannot rightly be ascribed to the past. The Office of the Indigenous Missioner provides centralized leadership and has existing organizational resources to support this work.