The 213th Annual Council - Diocese of Virginia

Proceedings
There was no further discussion. The president called for the vote. The motion was
carried, and R-8a was adopted as recommended.
Mr. Hobson introduced R-9s, a combination of R-2 and R-9 regarding a just and humane
immigration policy, and moved for its adoption.
The president recognized the Rev. Holly Antolini who spoke in favor of the resolution.
She noted that it’s “important for us to separate ourselves from the newest wave of
nativist jingoism in this country.” She took a point of personal privilege that she found
it heartening to look at the list of resolutions. She shared a sense of hope and focused
mission that the list of resolutions represented for her.
The president recognized the Rev. Sue Eaves, St. Thomas’, Richmond, who spoke in favor
of the resolution based on her experience as an immigrant who became a citizen several
years ago. She noted that she had to refuse a couple who wanted to get married because
the husband was an illegal immigrant, and that this was a difficult situation for her. She
said that this is an issue of human dignity and human rights
The president recognized the Rev. Catherine Campbell, La Iglesia de Cristo Rey and La
Iglesia de San Jose in Arlington, who spoke in favor of resolution. She noted that she is
passionate about this resolution because she works with two immigrant communities.
She said that it affects both documented and non-documented immigrants, and
encouraged those present at Council to contact Virginia representatives to the legislature
regarding immigration bills to help stem the tide of anti-immigration before populations
are impacted in a negative way.
The president recognized the Rev. Martyn Pinnock, Region XV, who spoke of his
personal experience as an alien. He told a story of meeting a car full of Spanish-speaking
immigrants who, on Christmas day, were trying to find their way to a detention center to
visit with their father, who was an illegal immigrant. Mr. Pinnock found it strange that
this sort of state should now exist, and encouraged members of Council to support this
resolution, in his capacity as a non-voting member of Council.
The president recognized Ms. Marilyn Newman, St. Peter’s, Port Royal, who proposed an
amendment to the resolution by adding the word “legal” to the title. The president asked
her to clarify placement of the amendment and to submit it in writing to the secretary.
The parliamentarian then noted that the president had the discretion to add the word
legal to the title, since it was not part of the resolution. The president did so.
The president recognized Mr. William Murphy, St. James’, Louisa. He noted that since the
resolution included many different points, it was hard to support all of them. He stressed
the importance of not supporting the blatant disregard for laws of United States.
The president recognized the Rev. Daniel Robayo, Christ Church, Luray, who said that
“documents may be legal or illegal. People cannot be illegal. And all laws are not equal.”
The president reminded Council that applause is not allowed during the content of a
debate according to the Rules of Order.
The president recognized the Rev. James Iswariah, St. David’s, Aylett, who spoke of his
personal experience as an immigrant, and told a story of his cousin’s experience of waiting
in line to enter the country legally. He noted that, “If we love this country, one way of
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The Diocese of Virginia t Journal of the the 213 th Annual Council