[Episcopal Diocese of Long Island] This post originally appeared in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle. 

The Rt. Rev. Lawrence C. Provenzano, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island, expressed his disapproval of the gambling referendum’s passage on Election Day. Delivering his address during the Eucharist at the 147th Diocesan Convention last weekend (Nov. 15-16), Bishop Provenzano also called on all parishes in the diocese, which includes Brooklyn, to refrain from gambling as a form of raising funds.

Prior to Election Day, Bishop Provenzano had also published a statement opposing the gambling referendum. Voters passed this constitutional amendment passed on Nov. 5 with a 57-43 margin, according to informal polls reported.

Also prior to the election, The New York Times, apparently unaware of any religiously progressive faith leaders opposing the referendum, had published a story, “Critics Wage Quiet Fight Against Ballot Measure on Adding Casinos.” According to that Oct. 21 story, “The opposition is a ragtag array of religious conservatives who associate gambling with social ills, liberal intellectuals who see gambling as a form of regressive taxation, and skeptics who believe that Mr. Cuomo has overstated the economic promise of his casino plan.” Yet, the Episcopal Diocese’s Bishop Provenzano, who opposed the measure, is known as a progressive leader on many front and social justice issues, including on the ordination of women.

During his Convention Address on Nov. 16, Bishop Provenzano said, “On Election Day the people of the State of New York voted in favor of casino gambling as a means of supporting a much needed state-wide program. In my opinion, it is a misguided and unfortunate choice that has been made. Experience has proven that the funds raised by gambling are unfortunately a trade off with the increased services needed, and social and moral ills are created by these efforts across the country. All that being said, the State of New York will proceed; but as we hear Jesus tell his disciples in the tenth chapter of Mark, ‘it must not be that way with you…’ My sisters and brothers, I am calling upon you, and all the people of this diocese, to refrain from the use of games of chance, casino nights, raffles, card games and 50/50 programs as a way of raising funds for ministry or programs in our churches and institutions. These efforts to raise funds are counter to the teaching of faithful stewardship in the church. Stated very plainly and simply, if people have the money to engage in these activities, they should be taught and encouraged to practice good and holy stewardship – we should not have to entertain them, feed them or coerce the funds from their wallets to support the ministry of the church and fulfill their calling as members of the church. Further, I would like to encourage parishes to open their buildings to the 12-step program called ‘Gamblers Anonymous’ as a simple, but very visible expression of our care and concern for those who fall victim to gambling in our communities.”

During the same address, Bishop Provenzano also asked each congregation in his diocese to nurture interfaith partnerships and ministries.

“Today, I am asking each congregation to seek partnerships across ecumenical and inter-faith divides. I am aware that many congregations have fruitful, on-going relationships with ecumenical and inter-faith groups. Let’s keep that work going strong and re-new those efforts. But where there are none, I ask that we begin again to foster such relationships. The week of Prayer for Christian Unity between the Feasts of the Confession of St. Peter and the Conversion of St. Paul in January is an excellent time to nurture relationships with ecumenical partners and utilize that opportunity to encourage interfaith dialogue and work. I believe it is time, once again, for the Episcopal Church to serve the needs of God’s people as a bridge to unity in Christ and unity as the children of God.”