August 23, 2013
Statement from the Bishops of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut
On
August 28, 1963 a quarter of a million people joined the March on
Washington for freedom, equality, and human rights. That daMLK Jr. 1963
_ library of congress imagey, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
inspired our nation with words of challenge, determination, and hope: "I
have a dream..." That speech helped to set the tone and direction for
the country, including The Episcopal Church's deeper engagement in the
civil rights movement.
Dr. King confronted the racism and sin of
our society with a deep faith in God's mission of reconciliation, a
vision of a Beloved Community, and a conviction that all people are
created in the image of God.
His profound commitment to non-violence became a most powerful instrument of social change.
Now,
50 years later, we can give thanks for the vision of Martin Luther
King, Jr. and the dedication of millions of Americans who have worked
for social justice following the principles of non-violence and the
Gospel of Peace.
As much as we can rejoice in major strides for
justice over these years, we are well aware that Dr. King's dream has
not been fully realized. There is much more work for all of us to do to
ensure the dignity of every human being and to secure basic human
rights and opportunity for all people.
This week, across our
country, there will be community observances of the 50th anniversary of
the March on Washington. We encourage you to join these events to
remember, to pray, and to look to the future. Each of us, right now, has
the opportunity to recommit ourselves to the principles of non-violence
and rededicate ourselves to the dream of a society that is truly the
Beloved Community.
May God fill our hearts with thanksgiving
and give us the strength and courage to carry forward the work and
dreams of the brave women and men who have gone before us.
In the Peace of Christ,
Ian T. Douglas
Laura J. Ahrens
James E. Curry
Bishops of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut
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