[Diocese of Spokane] Dear friends, 

Over the past 48 hours, we in this country and across the world have seen a constant showing of horrifying and heartbreaking violence and death.  In response, I ask that we continue to pray for the victims, for their families, and for those who grieve and strive to find some measure of hope and peace, remembering especially those who were killed in Minnesota, New Orleans, and Dallas and for the families and friends that now suffer the grief and loss.

And pray for all that reasonable restraint may prevent the repetition and continuation of such actions for both victims and violent offenders.

While we cannot by a program or a prison stop the all too familiar scenes of violent death, we do have a role in deescalating the dialogue, of engaging in addressing the causes and that contribute to the senseless deaths, and in refusing to participate in behaviors such as bombastic language and demeaning, detrimental false descriptions of other people, their practices, their cultures, and the circumstances.  Behavior that serves no one well, especially in the public forum.

We all have a calling and responsibility to respect and protect the dignity of every human being.  May we in this diocese continue to demonstrate what that means and how it gets lived out in action.

I invite your comments, your contributions and your leadership in contributing to communication that can be constructive and that encourages a culture that values all life as holy and God-given, and promotes peace, health and hope for all.

For the 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 purposes 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.

Faithfully yours,

James E. Waggoner, Jr.
Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Spokan