To the Journal editor:

It is our responsibility of we who are baptized Christians to call out injustice in this world. In less than a month, three black Americans have been senselessly murdered. Outrage, violence and fear of physical harm are a reality in towns and cities across our country.

Silence aids the oppressor. On behalf of the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan, I condemn the violence impacting people of color and believe it is extremely important to bring these incidents to light.

We, the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan, commit to striving for justice and peace among all people. In our baptismal vows, we commit to respect the dignity of every human being.

As a community of faith, we must engage our capacity to seek justice and speak truth to power. I am inviting you to search your hearts for ways that you can act and speak out against this most recent injustice in Minneapolis.

At the request of Bishop-elect Craig Loya of the Episcopal Church in Minnesota, we join them in “praying for the repose of the soul of George Floyd, for his family and friends…and in lamenting the racism we continue to tolerate together.”

We, who make up the Body of Christ, walk in the footsteps of Jesus, who through his life, continually stood with those who were oppressed. We pray with hopefulness that in our lifetime we might see God’s dreams for peace and justice realized.