UBE Opening Eucharist includes confession of the sin of racism
August 3, 2016

ens_080316_ube[Union of Black Episcopalians] The opening Eucharist service of the Union of Black Episcopalians annual conference, held July 31 at Christ Church Cathedral in New Orleans, Louisiana, commenced with an acknowledgment and confession of the sin of racism.

Bishop of Louisiana Morris Thompson addressed the congregation of more than 400 people.

“We gather in this sacred space, that has long been hallowed by laughter, great celebration, and the tears of lament,” he said. “Today we gather with the heirs of the African Diaspora, in the Union of Black Episcopalians, to celebrate, to grieve, to confess, and to move a step closer toward God’s vision of reconciliation and wholeness. We as the Diocese of Louisiana rejoice to host this gathering and take this opportunity to express again our most profound regret that the Episcopal Church in this diocese lent the institution of slavery its support and justification based on Scripture and after slavery formally was abolished, continued for at least a century to be negligent in opposing segregation and discrimination. This chair, built by the hands of slaves and owned by our very own Bishop Leonidas Polk for his use in fulfilling his duties as bishop of the Diocese of Louisiana, is a physical reminder of our own complicity in this evil system. And we here repent again, and apologize for our complicity in the institution of slavery and the injury done by it and its aftermath. We recommit ourselves to amend our lives, and continue to oppose the sin of racism in personal and public life, and continue to help build communities and liberation and justice.”

Thompson then motioned to Presiding Bishop Michael Curry to be seated in the chair built by slaves and now occupied by a bishop that is a descendent of slaves as a powerful symbol of reconciliation. All in attendance gave a rousing applause to signify the moment. Thompson also presented Curry with a gift of artwork commissioned by one of his parishioners.

This post appeared here first: UBE Opening Eucharist includes confession of the sin of racism

[Episcopal News Service – Blog]

You belong. You are children of God. No exceptions.

Bishop Duckworth’s sermon called us to remember the UpStairs Lounge fire in the French Quarter, a violent act of deadly arson that killed 32 gay men in nineteen minutes. In the aftermath, no church in the city would bury the dead. The exception was St. George’s Episcopal Church. Its rector, the Rev. Bill Richardson, did what he knew Jesus called him to do — he buried those men. He did so not without cost: he faced active condemnation from the larger community, but also from within his own congregation and from within our own diocese.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of two pivotal resolutions from the 1976 General Convention of the Episcopal Church. Resolution 1976-A069 and Resolution 1976-A071 declared that “homosexual persons are children of God who have a full and equal claim with all other persons upon the love, acceptance, and pastoral concern and care of the Church,” and that LGBTQ+ persons “are entitled to equal protection of the laws with all other citizens.” While we can celebrate many clear advancements for the full inclusion of our LGBTQ+ community in church and community life, the work is ongoing.

It has not always been a straight path. The church is human, and humans stumble. But consider how far we have traveled: from a church being rebuked for praying over the dead, to bishops wearing rainbow stoles given as gifts by LGBTQ+ Episcopalians at ordination. From closed communion tables to fully open sacramental life. From whispered exclusion to the joyful, public, Spirit-filled worship we offer tonight.

In our own Diocese of Louisiana, the transformation has been remarkable. Inclusive Louisiana, our network of LGBTQ+ Episcopalians and their allies, has been a light in this region for years — marching in Pride parades, offering pastoral care, and equipping congregations to proclaim God’s all-inclusive love. And here at St. Anna’s, you have led the way: becoming the first congregation in this diocese to celebrate same-sex marriage.

Bishop Duckworth’s conclusion made plain that actively creating a joyfully inclusive church is what we are called to do:

Not someday. Not when things are more comfortable. Not when the political climate improves. Today. The work of liberation is always a present-tense call.”

To speak that truth in this moment is not a partisan act. It is an act of Christian faithfulness. It is what prophets do. It is what the Church, at its best, has always done — even when it cost us something.

We serve a God who said: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.” That includes everyone. Everyone is a child of God.

The Rt. Rev. Shannon Rogers Duckworth

Bishop Duckworth offered the Prayer for Travelers from the Book of Common Prayer for Deacon Luigi, who is relocating to Chicago. His contributions to Inclusive Louisiana, St. Anna’s, the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana, and the broader community have been immeasurable. We are grateful for all he has given us, and we trust that though he leaves us physically, what he has created here will continue to grow.

You May also Like…