The 1493 Papal Bull stated that land that was not inhabited by Christians could be claimed and exploited in order to expand and instill the Christian faith. As Joe mentioned in his reflection, the Doctrine of Discovery is a 1493 document that advanced the idea that because the lands of the Western Hemisphere were without Christians prior to 1492, they were available to be taken upon “discovery.” I first learned about the Doctrine of Discovery at the 2012 Justice General Assembly of Unitarian Universalist congregations in Phoenix, AZ. Unitarian Universalists are one of a number of denominations and faith communities to do so. Privacy Policy. It was published on May 4, … That the 2016 Rocky Mountain Synod Assembly memorializes the 2016 ELCA Churchwide Assembly to explicitly and clearly repudiate the European-derived “doctrine of discovery” with its continuing impact upon tribal governments and individual tribal members, to acknowledge and repent of its complicity in the evils of colonialism in the Americas, and to join with the Evangelical Lutheran … Or Stolen! Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori on the Repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery. Repentance and amendment of life are the answer, and God asks us all – this Church, our partners and neighbors, and the nations which were founded under the Doctrine of Discovery - to the challenging work of reconciliation. I urge you to learn more about the Doctrine of Discovery and the search for healing in our native communities. Please join us for this powerful reflection on Sunday, January 17 @ 11 AM. Repudiating the Doctrine of Discovery (United Church of Christ, 6:15), More Resources from the United Church of Christ, The Doctrine of Discovery: In the Name of Christ (Mennonite, 43:33). Why did the Unitarian Universalist Association repudiate … In 2012, the New York Yearly Meeting repudiated the Doctrine of Discovery. The Doctrine of Discovery. It has been invoked since Pope Alexander VI issued the Papal Bull “Inter Caetera” in 1493. Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori on the Repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery. Repudiate the Doctrine of Discovery distributed 8/26/16 - ©2016. To repudiate explicitly and clearly the European-derived doctrine of discovery as an example of the “improper mixing of the power of the church and the power of the sword” (Augsburg Confession, Article XXVIII, Latin text), and to acknowledge and repent from this church’s complicity in the evils of The Doctrine of Discovery is a 15th century principle of international law having its roots in papal decrees that sanctioned & promoted the conquest, colonization and exploitation of non-Christian territories & peoples. Its time for the Vatican to repudiate the Doctrine of Discovery. Among other resources, the group has produced a documentary film. (617) 742-2100 | info@uua.org. The church has published education and worship materials for congregations, including a video. For his entire life, United Church of Christ member Larry Littlegeorge has felt called to repudiate the Doctrine of Discovery and its effects on Native peoples. Download the ELCA’s statement (⤓ PDF) 2012 UUA General Assembly Young Adult Caucus supports passge of resolution regarding the Doctrine of Discovery. Speaking is Rianna Johnson-Levy, First UU Congregation of Ann Arbor, MI. Unveiling the Doctrine of Discovery The Doctrine of Discovery is a phrase describing a consistent set of judgments and acts by colonizing Western societies over the past 500 years. To those ends, the Episcopal Church has provided educational materials for congregations, including worship and reflection materials (PDF), and a video. This is an introduction to the Doctrine of Discovery for GA delegates ahead of Justice GA 2012 in Phoenix, where repudiation of the doctrine was on the agenda. The action also called for a review of the history of the doctrine and the writing of a report on the doctrine. In 2015, the United Methodist Women published additional materials for education and reflection, including The Enduring Effects of the Doctrine of Discovery. WHEREAS the delegates of the 2010 General Assembly instructed the UUA Board to create a “Justice General Assembly” in 2012, whose business is accountable to partner organizations doing human rights work in Arizona; and. On May 16, 2012, Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori issued a pastoral letter on the Doctrine of Discovery and Indigenous Peoples. /files/includes/snippet-important-message.txt, Congregations on the Road to Multiculturalism, Doctrine of Discovery and Rights of Indigenous Peoples, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Statement on the Doctrine of Discovery and its enduring impact on Indigenous Peoples, Episcopal Church became the first in the Christian world, pastoral letter on the Doctrine of Discovery and Indigenous Peoples, 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 (PDF), The Enduring Effects of the Doctrine of Discovery, Canadian Unitarians' Reconciliation Journey, Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival. In 2012, the United Methodist Council of Bishops passed a resolution on the Doctrine of Discovery, writing: Therefore be it resolved, all levels of The United Methodist Church are called to condemn the Doctrine of Discovery as a legal document and basis for the seizing of native lands and abuses of human rights of indigenous peoples; and  Be it further resolved, that The United Methodist Church will work toward eliminating the Doctrine of Discovery as a means to subjugate indigenous peoples of property and land. But this is also a matter for healing in communities and persons of European immigrant descent. But this is also a matter for healing in communities and persons of European immigrant descent. In July 2009, the Philadephia Yearly Meeting (PDF) repudiated the Doctrine of Discovery. In 2009, the Episcopal Church repudiated the Doctrine of Discovery. We repudiate the Doctrine of Discovery, which asserted that lands belonged to the Christian powers that “discovered” them. 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