BISHOP'S MESSAGES

Beginning in June, the Bishop's Wednesday Bible Study video messages will no longer appear on this page, but on his new Bible Study page HERE.

Latest Messages:

A REFLECTION ON JULY 4, 2021
(Chronicle July 9, 2021)
Today, Sunday, July 4, is Independence Day in the United States.  If it were a weekday, there could even be a lesser commemoration in the liturgical calendar of the Episcopal Church. It is a commemoration that was only adopted into the Church’s calendar with the 1929 Book of Common Prayer.  Frankly, it is not a liturgical observance with which I am comfortable.  It certainly ought not replace the normal Sunday liturgy.  Perhaps it is time to be removed from the Church’s calendar altogether.

Why?  The holiday is too “patriotic” and even “nationalistic” to my mind for an observance in a Christian church during worship.  We ought not confuse our faith and identity as disciples of Jesus Christ with our temporal citizenship.  For the same reason, I do not think national (or denominational) flags belong in sanctuaries – especially near the altar.  I do not believe Christians can or should identify temporal civil authority or any leader with God or “God’s will.”  Even having “In God We Trust” as national motto (adopted by Congress only in 1959) is suspect to my mind.  “E pluribus unum” ("Out of many, one") is much closer to our national ideal without confusing the nation for God.  READ FULL MESSAGE HERE
March 31, 2021 - ​Bishop Bob shares his Easter message 2021. In it, he connects our Baptismal life (as expressed in the Baptismal Covenant) with the joy expressed in a sermon, long attributed to St. John Chrysostom, Patriarch of Constantinople.
March 29, 2021 - Bishop Bob concludes his reflections on the hymns of Charles Wesley, with hymns #188 and #493.
SPECIAL MESSAGE: ATLANTA, BOULDER, SIN AND HOPE
March 24, 2021
My dear Siblings in Christ Jesus,

“Sin is the seeking of our own will instead of the will of God, thus distorting our relationship with God, with other people, and with all creation.” – “The Catechism” in The Book of Common Prayer, page 848.
 
The reality of human sin has been brought home again with the murders in Atlanta and Boulder. These are horrific acts.  With anti-Asian rhetoric and violence, the riots last year in some cities, and the insurrection at the Capitol Building in January, we have been given stark reminders of the human sin. It seems that the language of hate and acts of violence are now just part of living in the United States. The murder of innocent people by individuals with assault weapons has become common place. Such sin is both corporate and individual.  READ MORE
March 22, 2021 - The Bishop continues his series on praying the words to the hymns by Charles Wesley, with Hymn #352 and others.
SPECIAL MESSAGE: ADDRESSING ANTI-ASIAN RHETORIC
​March 19, 2021
My dear Siblings in Christ Jesus,
 
The continental United States has recently experienced a surge in anti-Asian rhetoric, bullying in schools, racist incidents, scapegoating and hate crimes impacting Asian and Asian American people.  It has been reported that: "Anti-Asian hate crime in 16 of America’s largest cities increased 149% in 2020 according to an analysis of official preliminary police data by the Center for the Study of Hate & Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino, with the first spike occurring in March and April amidst a rise in COVID cases and negative stereotyping of Asians relating to the pandemic." While we often feel a disconnect from the harsh reality of the North American States, the inappropriate Anti-Asian remarks by the Police Chief on Kauaʻi brings the crisis home to the Islands. 
READ FULL MESSAGE
March 15, 2021 - ​The Bishop continues his series on praying the words to the hymns by Charles Wesley, with Hymn #535, "Ye servants of God, your Master proclaim."
March 8, 2021 - ​The Bishop continues his series on praying the words to the hymns by Charles Wesley, with Hymn #300, Glory, Love, and Praise, and Honor.
March 1, 2021 - ​The Bishop continues his series on praying the words to the hymns by Charles Wesley, with Hymn #638, Come, O thou Traveler unknown.
February 22, 2021 - During Lent, the Bishop is offering a spiritual practice of praying the words of hymns. This week's hymn is #657, Love Divine.
Bishop's Reflection on Ash Wednesday During a Time of a Pandemic
February 5, 2021
The Bishop shares a reflection on Ash Wednesday and the practice of celebrating this service during these unusual times. To read his message, click HERE or on the message image above.
January 18, 2021 - The Bishop shares a prayer from the 1662 BCP for "Restoring Publick Peace at Home" during these unsettling times.
A Pastoral Letter to the Diocese of Hawai'i
January 8, 2021
The Bishop shares a special pastoral letter during these times of unrest.  Click on the image to view the letter, or click HERE.
January 6, 2021 - The Bishop addresses the unrest and rioting taking place at our Capitol and around the country.
To view more of the Bishop's video messages, visit the Diocesan YouTube channel:
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The Rt. Rev. Robert L. Fitzpatrick

Past Messages

Earlier messages can be found on the archive page:

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