Weekly Update | August 18, 2024
A week ago last Monday, we received a call from a clergy colleague asking about using space at the Cathedral for a Lutheran pastor from Palestine. I was told that the speaker was being hosted by Friends of Sabeel in North America (FOSNA). Recognizing FOSNA and checking the calendar, I said yes!
I became familiar with FOSNA over 20 years ago when I had the privilege of meeting the Rev. Naim Ateek and spending a couple of weeks in Palestine and Israel with his team. While I am a lifelong Episcopalian and was in the ordination process when we met, the work of
Sabeel at the grassroots level in partnership with our Muslim and Jewish siblings, bridging differences and standing boldly against injustice, moved my heart. Knowledge of FOSNA made the request an easy decision.
I was told that the Saturday gathering would be interfaith, and I asked my colleague if we could include The Guibord Center and the diocesan Program Group on Ecumenical and Interfaith Life, our two interfaith partners. When asked about attaching my name or the Cathedral name to the event, I asked to see and learn more about the event before doing so. The following day when asked for our logo, our church administrator restated that we were not hosting the event.
Then last Wednesday I was sent the flyer to distribute widely. This is when I became concerned. The flyer sent made a bold proclamation, and under it in bold large letters was St. John’s Cathedral and address. The actual hosts of the event were at the very top of the flyer in light fonts, easy to overlook. In fact, it took me a moment to realize that these other organizations were even mentioned.
My primary concern was not the message (per se) but that other organizations were making strong political and religious statements on behalf of St. John’s without consent, or conversation about the impact on our interfaith partners and relations. St. John’s Cathedral remains committed to ongoing dialogue with our Jewish and Muslim siblings, bridging differences and standing against all injustices – not unlike what inspired me about Sabeel long ago. I would have welcomed the opportunity to discern a path forward together.
After reconvening with my clergy colleague, we decided that it was best that the event take place at another location. The decision was made within 48 hours of the initial inquiry, and only after marketing materials had been released without conversation. Had the event been advertised similarly to the gathering that was held at All Saints Pasadena or elsewhere nationally, I would have felt comfortable with providing space – as was our initial response to the request. I suspect that with more time, all things would’ve been possible.
At St. John’s Cathedral we strive to uphold the socio-political and religious values and positions of the Episcopal Church, as described by the public policies of the 81st General Convention.
Regarding Israel and Palestine (2024-D0007): [We] “Condemn and lament the Hamas lead attack against Israel and the violent and destructive retaliation of the Israeli government in Gaza. [We] Call for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza, for the release of all Hamas-held hostages, and of Israeli-held unjustly detained Palestinian prisoners, and for the urgent provision of comprehensive, substantial humanitarian aid to Palestinians in Gaza, in particular such vulnerable populations as children, the elderly, and those in need of medical care.”
Moreover . . . “the 81st General Convention condemns the increasing seizure of land and the escalating military and Settler violence against Palestinians living under Israeli military occupation in the West Bank; and be it further resolved, That the 81st General Convention reaffirm its call for the building of a lasting peace between Palestinians and Israelis, with mutually negotiated solutions ending an inherently unjust and unstable military occupation, upholding the principle that no peoples’ right to self-determination should be exercised at the expense of another’s (GC 1988-D053, 2018-D018, 2022-C039), and assuring equal rights, freedom, security, and self-determination for all; and be it further
Resolved, That the 81st General Convention call on the Office of Government Relations to promote policies to further these goals, and encourage all Episcopalians to join with other Christians, Jews, Muslims, and people of all faiths in calling for a ceasefire and a sustainable peace.”
After the attack last October and retaliation, I attended interfaith meetings for months where it was hard for everyone to find words to describe the horrors of what people in Palestine and Israel were experiencing in real time, without using words that shut down communication and prevented good people of faith from finding ways to move forward together. Out of those conversations, The Guibord Center led the way proclaiming that “Every Child’s Life Is Sacred.”
Let us continue bridging differences as people of faith and stand with each other against all injustice. Let us find the way.
With love and blessings, Anne+
