A Pastoral
Letter from the House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church of the U.S.A.
IN THE SHADOW OF WAR
Dear Brothers and Sisters in
Christ,
We, your bishops,
write to you in perilous times. We do not know what the next days will
bring. War and the threat of war make many afraid for the welfare of all
that they love, and all those whom they hold dear. Such fear gnaws at the
edges of consciousness and can shake the foundations upon which we have
built our lives and our communities.
We do know that
the certainty of God's goodness and faithfulness can never be shaken. In a
time of great violence and anxiety we, as Christians, are not to acquiesce
to fear; we are to witness to the reconciling love of God.
We are aware that
within the community of faith there are a variety of opinions about the
course our nation is pursuing. Nevertheless, Christians are called by
Jesus to regard all persons as neighbors, to reach out in mercy, and to
pray for one another and for our enemies.
We remind
ourselves now of those who need our prayers and concerns: all who will be
caught up in this conflict, our military personnel including our
chaplains, their families, people who suffer for conscience sake, Arab
Americans of all faiths, followers of Islam around the world - the great
majority of whom share a longing for peace, and the people of Iraq, among
whom are more than one million Christians. Our prayers must continue for
George, our President, and for the leaders of the nations, that they will
make wise and measured decisions that will protect the innocent and will
result in a swift and just peace, and the full restoration of the land and
people of Iraq.
In this season of
conflict and danger, our Church is called to be a community where all
people can join in prayer for peace and healing in God's beloved world,
for loved ones and those in harm's way, and for the assurance of our
Lord's merciful presence and providence in the midst of crisis. As your
bishops, we commit ourselves to adopt a discipline of fasting and prayer
for the return of peace. We commend such a discipline to each of you. We
urge our congregations to open their doors for prayer and to be places
where all can find the hospitality and hope of our Lord Jesus Christ, the
Prince of Peace.
In all times and
circumstances, our faith is set upon the firm foundation of the love of
Christ. We reaffirm our confidence that "neither death nor life…nor
anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love
of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38,39)
In these difficult
times, may God give us the strength to witness to the Divine Compassion.
A Prayer for the
Whole Human Family
O God, you made us
in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son: Look with
compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred
which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us
in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to
accomplish your purpose on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and
races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen. [Book of Common Prayer, page 815].
The House of
Bishops of the Episcopal Church
March 18, 2003
