Assembly asked to advocate for political and financial reform

The Layman

The shortest overture so far submitted for consideration by the 221st General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) comes from the Presbytery of Santa Fe.

The two-sentence overture (034) asks the 2014 assembly to direct the denomination’s Office of Public Witness [called the Washington Office in the overture, as that was its former name] to “advocate for financial and political reform. This will include advocating for strategies that address the lack of prosecution of the individuals and financial institutions responsible for the 2008 meltdown of the U.S. economy.”

According to the rationale of the overture, if the “millions of dollars amassed by the individuals and companies involved in the 2008 financial crisis could be recouped, these dollars could be a start toward repaying the national debt.”

The rationale also mentions “published investigative reports and documentation,” without proper citations, that “name the responsible individuals and institutions, but the lack of prosecution allows them to continue holding high, powerful offices and receiving financial gain.”

“The voices of those demonstrating for the need for reform are being ridiculed, ignored and demeaned,” the rationale concludes.

The PCUSA’s General Assembly will be held June 14-21 in Detroit, Mich. The assembly’s official web site can be found here. The Layman’s coverage of the 2013 GA can be accessed here.