A Word to The Episcopal Church from the House of Bishops
Dear people of God,
The bishops of The Episcopal Church gathered in Juan Dolio, Dominican Republic, send greetings in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. We are deeply grateful for the generous hospitality offered by our siblings in Christ in the Dominican Republic, and we give thanks for the faithful and visionary leadership of their bishop, the Rt. Rev. Moisés Quezada Mota, and his wife, Mary Jeannette. We also give thanks for the presence and leadership of our presiding bishop, the Most Rev. Sean Rowe, and we renew our commitment to the work of missional partnership and collaboration as together we seek to be a wholesome example for the entire flock of Christ.
While gathered, we have been keenly aware of the pain, fear, and uncertainty experienced by many in this present moment across our various contexts. On the first day of our meeting, we received reports of yet another school shooting, followed by the news of yet another politically motivated killing. The disturbing increase in political violence; the ongoing atrocities associated with war and global conflict; the continued starvation of God’s children; the intimidation and persecution of the vulnerable and those who have been marginalized; and the rise of authoritarianism across the globe all require a robust Christian response.
We believe this response must be grounded in the Good News of the Gospel that injustice, violence, suffering, and ultimately death itself, are not the last word. We commit ourselves and invite the whole church to boldly proclaim by word and example that the cross and empty tomb stand forever as signs of the decisive victory of God’s love over the forces of evil. We are being called to embody the values and imperatives expressed in the teachings of Jesus, the One we proclaim as Lord, who always stands with the poor, the vulnerable, the grieving, and the oppressed.
In light of this, we are engaged in deep conversations concerning our voices as bishops in our respective dioceses as well as our collective voice as the bishops of The Episcopal Church. These conversations have been faithful and challenging and have revealed to us both the possibilities and limits that exist with regard to speaking with a shared voice as your bishops. And yet, in this moment, we are choosing possibilities over limitations. We believe we are called to bear witness with clarity and unity to the power of the Gospel, and to the healing and transformative work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, in our church, and in our world.
The challenges before us are myriad and varied according to our respective contexts. Our time in the Dominican Republic has underscored for us that The Episcopal Church is composed of many countries and cultures. Moreover, within our countries and cultures, we hold a diversity of views concerning the challenges we face. And yet, we are one in Jesus Christ, bound together by grace and our shared commitment to the fullness of our baptismal covenant.
We give thanks for the deep affection and friendships that exist among us as a community of bishops. Cultivating such communities of disciples is a critical component of our witness to the healing and reconciling power of God’s love in this present moment. We wish to express to the whole church our profound gratitude for the countless ways in which this witness is already made manifest, and for the immense trust you have placed in us as your bishops.
In the hope of Jesus, the One who is making all things new
