Resources & Statement - Bishop's Walk of Solidarity
This message was sent from the Bishop on February 13th 2020:
Friends,
I want to first thank those of you who joined me today in our walk of solidarity with the Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs and their supporters. Over the lunch hour approximately 50 of us walked from the steps of Christ Church Cathedral to the grounds of the legislature. At both the beginning and the end we prayed, shared scripture (Romans 12:1-8) and spoke about why were gathered there. I, personally, saw this as another step along the Sacred Journey that we’ve been on together.
I know many of you are looking for information to share with parishioners about why we have taken this action. For us this is not about politics, it’s about faith. Our job, as spiritual leaders, is to educate the body of Christ about our role as reconcilers and bearers of Christ’s peace. The work of reconciliation is not simply something we talk about when there is no conflict, it is something we are called to embody in the midst of conflict. And this, friends, is where we find ourselves today. We continue to journey, healing the wounds of history and building a culture of peace.
We are standing in peaceful solidarity and respect for Wet’suwet’en people and their law---a law that has existed for millennia. We are calling on all levels of government to live into the commitments made in Bill 41 (Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples) and to embody the values and principles of reconciliation the government proports to uphold.
We are not protesting pipelines.
In our efforts to share as much information as possible with Anglicans on these islands and inlets about this issue, I am asking that you:
Read the information via the links below about this issue:
http://unistoten.camp/supportertoolkit2020/
https://theconversation.com/corporations-dont-seem-to-understand-indigenous-jurisdiction-109608
https://www.anglican.ca/news/statement-on-conflict-on-wetsuweten-unceded-territory/30025668/
I know and appreciate the pressure you are under during this time. I hope these resources prove helpful. If you need further support, please feel free to reach out to Barry Foster or stop by the synod office for a cup of coffee and a chat. We are here to support you.
Peace,
+Logan