Forum: Resolution on the Endorsement of the CUC Motion to Repudiate the Doctrine of Discovery and the Doctrine of Terra Nullius

The Doctrine of Discovery comprises several 15th century papal bulls proclaiming that Christian nations had the right to take possession of the lands of non-Christians to save their souls by Christianizing them. The Doctrine of Terra Nullius (vacant land) was considered to apply to land not yet occupied by Christians, so sovereignty, title and jurisdiction could be claimed over it.

Please join John Omielanm,  the Social Justice Team and the IPA Team to discuss a Resolution on the Endorsement of the CUC Motion to Repudiate the Doctrine of Discovery and of Terra Nullius. The SJ Team will request that the board submit this resolution for a vote by the VanU congregation at the June AGM.

The text of the resolution can be found here.

This resolution builds on the work that members of the Environment, IPA and SJ teams started in 2022.  Here is a recording  of the Doctrine of Discovery and Terra Nullius Forum held on November 20, 2022. This forum was instrumental in helping the CUC draft and approve their motions to repudiate the Doctrine of Discovery and the Doctrine of Terra Nullius.

Links to the CUC motions are listed below:

CUC Approves Motion to Repudiate Doctrine of Discovery

https://cuc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Adding-Terra-Nullius-to-CUC-2023-Doctrine-of-Discovery-Resolution-Approved.pdf