Bishop's Messages

BISHOP'S MESSAGES

Be sure to also visit the "Ask the Bishop" webpage HERE, and the Bishop's Bible Study page HERE.

Latest Messages:

The Bishop's Reflection on Just War Doctrine and Current Military Action in Iran
March 3, 2026

My dear siblings in Christ Jesus,

We again live in a time of war.

As I write on Monday, March 2, 2026, the U.S. and Israeli attacks, and Iran’s retaliatory attacks throughout the Middle East, have led to multiple casualties, including six U.S. service members, 11 Israelis, five in Gulf states, 31 in Lebanon and at least 555 Iranians, according to government reports. At least 153 of the Iranian fatalities came from a reported strike at a girls’ elementary school in Minab.

We have already shared the messages from the Presiding Bishop:
Letter from Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe on Military Strike on Iran

And from the Primate of the Anglican Church in Jerusalem and the Middle East:
Archbishop of Jerusalem and the Middle East shares pastoral letter in light of escalating conflict

As a parent of a son who is an officer in the US Army, such days bring back memories of his deployment in Afghanistan. I remember the worry. The thought of the men and women in harm’s way, and of their families, leads me to prayer:
READ FULL MESSAGE

Ash Wednesdsay 2026
February 18, 2026

Aloha my dear Siblings in Christ Jesus,

As we prepare for a holy Lent, I am keenly aware that we live in complicated times. I am also cognizant that this has been true for most of history and throughout the world. The brokenness of anxious and finite humanity can lead to anger, division, hate, and violence. It is too often the innocent and the powerless who most suffer.

As the followers of Christ Jesus, we call the world to another way. In his book The Love that is God: An Invitation to Christian Faith (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, 2020, p. 13, Kindle Edition), Frederick Christian Bauerschmidt opens his introduction with: “Being a Christian is difficult. It is difficult because love that goes all the way to the cross is difficult, both to receive and to give. It has always been difficult, though at different times and places that difficulty has been felt in different ways. In our own time and place, the postindustrial West, difficulties include those arising from the nature of the modern world that make Christian claims seem in-credible: a narrowed understanding of truth, suspicion of traditions, ever-increasing individualism.”
READ MORE

The Virtues and President Trump's Words & Posts
February 10, 2026

Bishop Robert Fitzpatrick shares an important message reminding us of our responsibilities as Christians to recognize in ourselves and others, the Virtues that Scripture tells us to heed.

Joint Letter from 154 Bishops of The Epsicopal Church: Whose dignity matters?
January 31, 2026

A message to our fellow Americans
We, the undersigned bishops of The Episcopal Church, write today out of grief, righteous anger, and steadfast hope. What happened a week ago in Minnesota, and is happening in communities across the country, runs counter to God’s vision of justice and peace. This crisis is about more than one city or state—it’s about who we are as a nation. The question before us is simple and urgent: Whose dignity matters?
READ FULL MESSAGE

Follow-up to a Special Pastoral Letter to the Diocese of Hawai'i
January 24, 2026

My Dear Siblings in Christ Jesus,

In light of events today in Minneapolis, I have asked that my Pastoral Letter of January 9, 2026, be shared with Diocese again. We again have seen another killing in the streets of that city that demands an independent investigation. We are seeing a rise in the use of force by poorly trained Federal immigration enforcement officers in masks that are heavily armed. Many religious leaders and members of congregations are taking part in nonviolent protests.

Kelly Morrison represents Minnesota’s 3rd Congressional District. She is a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Excelsior and has been serving in Congress since 2025. During an interview yesterday about the crisis caused by Federal immigration enforcement officers in her state, she asserted the moral demand to “respect the dignity of every human being.” She provided a profound example of living the demands of the Baptismal Covenant.

That must be our response. Violence is unacceptable. We must also strive to live into our Baptismal Covenant — especially at this time, to respect the dignity of every human being. This demands our diligence, our peaceful action, and our prayers.

Please pray for the person killed today, for those protesting, and for our nation.

With my prayers,
+Bob

(See previous letter sent below)

A Special Pastoral Letter to the Diocese of Hawai'i
January 9, 2026

“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.” (“An Outline of the Faith commonly called the Catechism” of The Book of Common Prayer, page 848)

My dear Siblings in Christ Jesus,

As Christians, we have been challenged in recent days by wars in Palestine/Israel and Ukraine. The events in Venezuela have brought into question the world order and the possibility of more military action. The threat of the government of the United States to acquire Greenland “the easy way” or “the hard way” is frightful.
READ FULL LETTER HERE

Bishop's Christmas Message 2025
December 23, 2025

View the Bishop's Christmas video message below:

RIP: The Reverend Canon Haaheo Guanson
December 15, 2025

The Reverend Canon Haaheo Guanson (September 25, 1951–December 14, 2025) died this past Sunday following a recent health crisis.

She was ordained to the transitional Diaconate on Saturday, June 9, 2018, in the Cathedral of St. Andrew, and to the Presbyterate on March 9, 2019, at the Parish of St. Clement in Honolulu, where she was serving as Curate. Her ministry in the Episcopal Church continued at the Cathedral as an Associate Priest and as Dean of the Waiolaihuiʻa Center for Ministry (the local Diocesan ministry formation program). She was an advisor to the Bishop. Following her retirement, she was installed as an Honorary Canon of the Cathedral of St. Andrew (filling the Kaʻiulani Canon’s Chair) on November 24, 2024.
READ FULL MESSAGE

Bishop's Thanksgiving Message
November 26, 2025

My dear Siblings in Christ Jesus,

I write my Thanksgiving message from a Fiji Airlines flight to Tonga. This year I will spend my holiday with our extended Church family in Oceania.

With representatives from St. Andrew’s Schools and ‘Iolani School, I am representing our Diocese at the 120th anniversary celebration of the founding of St. Andrew School, Nuku’alofa. It was founded in 1905 by Bishop Alfred Willis (1836-1920). The motto of the School is “Love, Truth and Peace.”

It's truly a family visit. You’ll remember that Bishop Willis was the second Anglican Bishop in the Kingdom of Hawai‘i. He served in the Islands from 1872-1902. A staunch monarchist, he refused to recognize the illegal overthrow of Queen Lili‘uokalani’s government or the annexation by the United States. Once the annexation was a fact, Bishop Willis transferred ecclesiastical jurisdiction to the Episcopal Church. After thirty years in the Kingdom of Hawai‘i, he went on to serve God’s people in the Kingdom of Tonga for another eighteen years.
READ FULL MESSAGE

Ceasefire in Gaza: Ahli Hospital Needs You Now
October 16, 2025

My dear Siblings in Christ,

We must give thanks for the ceasefire in Gaza, for the release of the hostages, for the renewal of food aid, and the glimmer of hope for peace. It is just the very beginning of a long, long road to recovery and the hope for lasting peace. As Episcopalians, I call upon us to support the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem at this critical time. Please consider making a special gift today to the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem. Our prayers are certainly needed coupled with our active support for the innocent displaced by this brutal war.
READ FULL MESSAGE

For Christ's Sake
September 24, 2025

[Chronicle, 9/25/2025] Aloha my dear Siblings in Christ Jesus,
In my years as Bishop, I have had to write way too many times about school shootings and gun violence in the United States. As of yesterday, there have been at least 57 shootings at K-12 schools, according to Everytown for Gun Safety. This, of course, includes August’s terrible attack at Annunciation Catholic School in Minnesota that left two children dead.
READ FULL MESSAGE

SPECIAL: Liturgy for Peace with Holy Eucharist at the Cathedral
June 22, 2025

My dear Siblings in Christ Jesus,

In a time of war, fear, and violence, Disciples of Christ Jesus are called to gather, to pray, and to be witnesses of love in a world that has forgotten how to love. We cry for peace with justice.

I will be the celebrant and preacher at a special Liturgy for Peace with Holy Eucharist at noon, Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in the Cathedral of St. Andrew. I hope you can join us in prayer at that time.

If you cannot physically make it to the Cathedral, please consciously pause at noon on Wednesday and say prayer for peace.

Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

Almighty God our heavenly Father, guide the nations of the world into the way of justice and truth, and establish among them that peace which is the fruit of righteousness, that they may become the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Again, if you cannot join me at the Cathedral on Wednesday, please pause at noon with me in prayer.

May God give us peace!
+Bob

The Right Reverend Robert L. Fitzpatrick
Bishop Diocesan
The Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i
The Episcopal Church in the Hawaiian Islands, Guam and Saipan

SPECIAL: The Bishop's Use of Archbishop Temple's Principles for Public Policy and Political Engagement
June 16, 2025

Aloha my dear siblings in Christ Jesus!

Na ke aloha o ke Akua ma loko o Iesu Kristo, e aloha iā ʻoukou ā pau!

I wrote the following reflection before the military was deployed onto the streets of Los Angeles, before the start of the conflict between Israel and Iran, before the “No Kings” protests and Army’s anniversary parade, and before the horrific assassinations and attempted murders of elected State legislators and their spouses in Minnesota. Like so much in recent times, the changes around us are profound and disheartening.

I share this rumination as one way to reflect on our response to such times.
READ FULL MESSAGE

To view more of the Bishop's video messages, visit the Diocesan YouTube channel:

The Rt. Rev. Robert L. Fitzpatrick

Past Messages

2026

2025

Highlighted Message in 2025
The Bishop's Resignation (4/25/25)

Earlier messages can be found on the archive page:

Message Archive