Oct. 22, 2013: Bishop M. Thomas Shaw, SSJE and Bishop Gayle E. Harris of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts today issued the following statement on the recent government shutdown:
Like many of you, we give thanks to God that our congressional leaders allowed our federal government to resume operation this past week and that a default on our country’s financial obligations has not yet come to pass. And we join many of you in hope and prayer that our elected officials will use wisely the time they’ve borrowed through this postponement to come to some common ground about spending and deficit reduction so that we’re not facing another shutdown and debt crisis again in a matter of months.
We in the Episcopal Church recall that our Anglican tradition emerged from bitter theological and partisan debates in the 16th century that engendered abhorrent violence. We came through that with a commitment to following the path of the via media, a middle way marked by compromise and restraint from demonizing those with different points of view. Our differences need not equal division, and compromise does not mean that we must relinquish the principles that we hold in good conscience. There is always common ground for those who seek it.
Our representatives in government are elected to represent people of every faith tradition and none. Though we are deeply disappointed when they choose ideology over the public service to which they’ve been called, it is not necessarily our job to judge which party is at fault in these matters. What we are most concerned about is the uncertainty and hardship that this current government dysfunction sows in the lives of hardworking people, particularly those who are vulnerable and poor. We ask our clergy and congregations to reach out with the compassion of our Lord Jesus to all whose lives and livelihoods have been and may still be disrupted, with particular concern for the neediest in our midst whose government assistance has been threatened.
It is part of our prayer as Christians that each of us will work toward unity of spirit and purpose, asking especially, in the words of our Book of Common Prayer, that God give to our elected leaders the courage, wisdom and foresight to provide for the needs of all people and to fulfill our obligations so that we may be a people at peace among ourselves and a blessing to other nations.
Give grace to your servants, O Lord.
The Rt. Rev. M. Thomas Shaw, SSJE
The Rt. Rev. Gayle E. Harris
Bishops on gov't shutdown: There's always common ground for those who seek it
October 22, 2013