Dear Friends in Christ,
Many years ago, I heard a reflection about wealth in which the speaker said, “For me wealth is all about choice – having the freedom to choose.” He was framing the notion of material wealth not by the size of a bank account but by the way in which one is able to enjoy options from which to choose. Choices about how we want to live into our humanity, and how to be more fully alive are at the core of Jesus’ teachings. He invites, illustrates, beckons, and instructs us on what it means to choose to follow him. The power of one’s faith is in the power of choosing, for oneself, a relationship founded on God’s abundant grace and love.
Every human being deserves the abundance of choice over their lives, their relationships, their bodies. Restricting the ability to exercise choice over one’s own body is to deny them the fullness of living into their humanity. It is a form of impoverishment – reducing abundance for some over others.
It is deeply disturbing that women and our bodies continue to be the substance on which societal fears are worked out. The denial of a woman’s right to choose is the work of those who are blind to the diverse forms of poverty that plague women’s lives every day. I will be deeply grieved at any ruling from the Supreme Court that allows us to turn our backs on the right of a woman to live fully and freely into her call as God’s Beloved.
Please pray with me for our justices, our courts, and our elected leaders.
In Christ,
Episcopal Church statement on reports concerning Supreme Court case pertaining to abortion
[Office of Government Relations – Link here] Since 1967, The Episcopal Church has maintained its “unequivocal opposition to any legislation on the part of the national or state governments which would abridge or deny the right of individuals to reach informed decisions [about the termination of pregnancy] and to act upon them.” In light of the recent report about a pending decision in the Supreme Court case Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health, The Episcopal Church reaffirms our commitment to “equitable access to women’s health care, including women’s reproductive health care,” which we view as “an integral part of a woman’s struggle to assert her dignity and worth as a human being.” The Office of Government Relations will continue to advocate at the federal level to protect reproductive rights.
We encourage you to read this overview of The Episcopal Church’s positions on abortion and women’s reproductive health.
Almighty God, who sits on the throne judging right: We humbly beseech you to bless the courts of justice and the magistrates in all this land; and give unto them the spirit of wisdom and understanding, that they may discern the truth, and impartially administer the law in the fear of you alone; through him who shall come to be our Judge, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
Prayer for Courts of Justice, BCP 821
Mensaje de la Obispa Akiyama sobre la posible revocación de Roe v. Wade
Queridos Amigos en Cristo,
Hace muchos años, escuché una reflexión sobre la riqueza, en la que el orador decía: “Para mí, la riqueza tiene que ver con la elección: tener la libertad de elegir”. El estaba planteando la noción de riqueza material no por el tamaño de una cuenta bancaria, sino por la forma en que uno puede contar con opciones para elegir. Opciones para elegir cómo queremos vivir nuestra humanidad y cómo vivir más plenamente, son el núcleo de las enseñanzas de Jesús. Él invita, ilustra, llama y nos instruye sobre lo que significa elegir seguirlo a él. El poder de nuestra fe está en el poder de elegir, por uno mismo, una relación fundada en la gracia y el amor abundantes de Dios.
Todo ser humano merece la abundancia de opciones para sus vidas, sus relaciones, sus cuerpos. Restringir la capacidad de ejercer la elección sobre el propio cuerpo es negar la plenitud de vivir como ser humano. Reducir la abundancia para unos sobre otros, es una forma de empobrecimiento.
Es profundamente alarmante que las mujeres y nuestros cuerpos sigan siendo la médula sobre la que se elaboran los miedos sociales. La negación del derecho a elegir de una mujer es obra de quienes están ciegos ante las diversas formas de pobreza que aquejan la vida de las mujeres todos los días. Estaré profundamente apenada por algún fallo de la Corte Suprema que nos permita dar la espalda al derecho de una mujer a vivir plena y libremente en su llamado como Amada de Dios.
Oren conmigo por nuestros jueces, nuestros tribunales y nuestros líderes electos.
En Cristo,