03/02/2026
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GgW6ELQxV/
Dear friends in Christ –
The world awoke on Saturday to the violence of war – to attack, and retaliation, and blame, and counteraccusation. Questions were quickly asked, and assertions just as quickly made. And through it all, lives are ended, or changed forever.
We, the bishops of Virginia, ask us all to set aside partisanship in this moment and remember that the majority of those lives are often innocent ones. Children will be orphaned, spouses will be widowed, and parents will be left to bury their daughters and sons. The effects of war know no nationality, creed, religion, or family relation – death and pain strike all equally. And through it all, God weeps at the suffering.
We urge the people of the Diocese of Virginia to read and take to heart the Anglican Archbishop of Jerusalem’s pastoral letter issued Saturday morning; to heed his call to pray for peace and to anchor our hearts in the spirit of love; and to remember that as Christians we are called by Jesus himself to see those who differ from us as neighbor and not as enemy.
We urge the faith communities of this diocese to find ways to put prayer into action – to embody justice. Gather, discern, speak out, put your resources to work to call the world to the love of Jesus. These are days that demand no less.
May God be with you and yours, and with the people of the Middle East, this day and always.
The Rt. Rev’d E. Mark Stevenson
The Rt. Rev’d Gayle E. Harris
The Rt. Rev’d Mark A. Bourlakas
Read Archbishop Hosam’s letter:https://www.episcopalchurch.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Image-2.jpeg.pdf
