Coeducational College Preparatory Day School serving Grades 5-12
News
Israel & Gaza
“People of faith and goodwill can organize and address our governments to call for humanitarian aid to flow freely to those in desperate need in Gaza; for the release of all hostages; for an end to all targeting of children and other civilians; and for a de-escalation of violence in the West Bank and East Jerusalem." - Presiding Bishop Michael Curry
When Auntie Kate Cooper and Bishop Harry Kennedy set to work, founding Seabury Hall as an Episcopal School in 1964, they no doubt had in mind and heart the Episcopal Church's longstanding commitment to justice and peace. Just six years earlier, the Church had taken a position against capital punishment--a move seen as radical at the time. Recognizing the imperfect nature of our justice system, and affirming the fundamental sacredness of every human being, the Episcopal Church took--and continues to take--the position that "no individual or group of individuals have the right to unnecessarily take the life of another person."[1]
So then, to the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The above quote from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry comes from a statement made last November, denouncing violence particularly as it impacts children and civilians (the Presiding Bishop is the Chief Pastor and serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Episcopal Church[2]). The statements and resolutions made by the Episcopal Church--both nationally and locally in Hawai'i--continue to affirm the fundamental sacredness of every human being. So, the Episcopal Church condems, "in the strongest possible terms Hamas’s brutal and unjustified attack against Israeli civilians, and now we note with grave concern the catastrophic and worsening situation in Gaza."[3]
Additionally, the Episcopal Church advocates for "an immediate ceasefire," that "humanitarian aid, including water, food, shelter, and fuel, to be brought into Gaza," that Gazans [be able] to access safe spaces such as schools, hospitals, houses of worship, etc." And that all will "respect those safe spaces by obeying international humanitarian law." [3]
Elie Wiesel once reminded us that, "we must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim." So, as we honor and celebrate our foundation and current status as an Episcopal School, we honor and celebrate our independence and freedom in standing for justice; standing for dignity; standing for the sacredness of every living being. In this we honor Auntie Kate and Bishop Kennedy, we stay true to our school value of integrity, and we declare that enough is enough: violence is never the answer. Peace is the way.
So then, to the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The above quote from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry comes from a statement made last November, denouncing violence particularly as it impacts children and civilians (the Presiding Bishop is the Chief Pastor and serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Episcopal Church[2]). The statements and resolutions made by the Episcopal Church--both nationally and locally in Hawai'i--continue to affirm the fundamental sacredness of every human being. So, the Episcopal Church condems, "in the strongest possible terms Hamas’s brutal and unjustified attack against Israeli civilians, and now we note with grave concern the catastrophic and worsening situation in Gaza."[3]
Additionally, the Episcopal Church advocates for "an immediate ceasefire," that "humanitarian aid, including water, food, shelter, and fuel, to be brought into Gaza," that Gazans [be able] to access safe spaces such as schools, hospitals, houses of worship, etc." And that all will "respect those safe spaces by obeying international humanitarian law." [3]
Elie Wiesel once reminded us that, "we must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim." So, as we honor and celebrate our foundation and current status as an Episcopal School, we honor and celebrate our independence and freedom in standing for justice; standing for dignity; standing for the sacredness of every living being. In this we honor Auntie Kate and Bishop Kennedy, we stay true to our school value of integrity, and we declare that enough is enough: violence is never the answer. Peace is the way.
Further Information and references
Episcopal Church Resources on the Conflict in the Holy Land – updated regularly
Statement from the Commission to Dismantle Racism and Discrimination: Violence in the Holy Land
Statement from the Commission to Dismantle Racism and Discrimination: Violence in the Holy Land
General Convention (National Episcopal Church) Resolutions:
2022-C038: Justice and Peace in the Holy Land – Our Call to Action
2018-B021: Call on the US to Restore UN and USAID Funding for Palestinians
2012-B017: Support for Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza
Diocese of Hawaii (Episcopal Church in the Islands) Resolution (page 20).
[1] https://www.episcopalchurch.org/ogr/episcopal-church-statement-on-federal-executions/
[2] https://www.episcopalchurch.org/presiding-bishop-michael-curry/
[3] https://www.episcopalchurch.org/ministries/office-government-relations/resources-for-the-conflict-in-the-holy-land/
Diocese of Hawaii (Episcopal Church in the Islands) Resolution (page 20).
[1] https://www.episcopalchurch.org/ogr/episcopal-church-statement-on-federal-executions/
[2] https://www.episcopalchurch.org/presiding-bishop-michael-curry/
[3] https://www.episcopalchurch.org/ministries/office-government-relations/resources-for-the-conflict-in-the-holy-land/
