Dear Friends,
Whose Dignity Matters?
Everyone’s, our faith tells us so.
Last week I gathered with a small group of bishop colleagues right after the ICE shooting of Alex Pretti. We came together seeking some solace and a way to respond to the violence happening in Minneapolis. We also came together to offer support to our colleague the Bishop of Minnesota, Craig Loya.
The letter below is our response. Once it was written we asked other bishops if they would like to sign on supporting the letter, more than 150 did.
I ask you to consider reading the letter, watching the video and posting it to your social media accounts and congregational newsletters.
Everyone’s dignity matters. How we enforce laws matters as much as enforcing laws. Fear cannot replace policy. As we said in our letter:
“Safety built on fear is an illusion. True safety comes when we replace fear with compassion, violence with justice, and unchecked power with accountability. That’s the vision our faith calls us to live out—and the promise our country is meant to uphold. In the face of fear, we choose hope.”
Remember:
Our help is always in the name of the Lord.
The maker of heaven and Earth.
Blessed be the name of the Lord
In Christ,
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Bonnie A Perry
Bishop
Episcopal Diocese of Michigan