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:

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

SPECIAL: THE JUNE 5 ATTACK AT AHLI ARAB HOSPITAL IN GAZA
June 5, 2025

My dear Siblings in Christ Jesus,
Please see the following statement from the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem (AFEDJ).
I urge all congregations in the Diocese to share the statement from the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem Condemning the attack on Ahli Hospital, Gaza City.
I also urge Episcopalians in the Diocese of Hawaiʻi to join and support American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem (AFEDJ).
I call your attention to the Episcopal Peace Fellowship (EPF) and, especially, to the organization’s Palestine Justice Network (PJN). Please read the May 16th article EPF PJN urges church to heed UN warning on Gaza from the Episcopal News Service.
READ MORE

SPECIAL: THE BISHOP'S RESIGNATION ANNOUNCEMENT
April 25, 2025

The Right Reverend Robert L. Fitzpatrick, fifth Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i, formally announces his resignation, and calls for the election of the sixth Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Hawai'i. READ MORE

The Death of Pope Francis
April 21, 2025

With the news of the death of Pope Francis, I sent the following message to Bishop Larry Silva of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Honolulu:

Be assured of the prayers of the faithful in the Episcopal Diocese of Hawaiʻi for the repose of the soul of Pope Francis, and for our siblings in the Roman Catholic Church.

ALMIGHTY AND ETERNAL GOD, to whom there is never any prayer made without hope of mercy, be merciful to the soul of your faithful servant, Francis, being departed from this world in the confession of your Holy Name that he and all the departed may be welcomed into the company of your saints, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Rest eternal grant him, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon him. May he rest in peace. Amen.

Pope Francis consistently emphasized that mercy is the key virtue of a Christian’s life. He encouraged care for the poor, respect for labor, welcome of the stranger (especially migrants and refugees), and active care for the environment.

I ask that all our congregations remember Pope Francis and our mourning siblings in the Roman Catholic Church during the Prayers of the People this coming Sunday.

Bishop's Easter Message 2025
April 19, 2025

Palm Sunday Attack in the Diocese of Jerusalem & Good Friday Offering Reminder
April 16, 2025

In light of recent tragic events in Gaza and, especially, the Palm Sunday attack on the al-Ahli Hospital, a ministry of our siblings in the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Jerusalem, I write to remind you to be especially generous this Good Friday to the Episcopal Church’s annual special collection in support of the life-giving ministries in the Anglican Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East (including the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem). READ MORE

RIP The Reverend Albert P. Alarcon
April 16, 2025

The Reverend Alberto P. Alarcon died following a long illness Monday evening (April 14, 2025). Fr. Bert was ordained in the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI), a Full-Communion partner of the Episcopal Church. He was a graduate of St. Andrew’s Seminary. While working in accounting here in Hawaiʻi, he was first licensed by Bishop Browning in 1978 and has faithfully served in this Diocese ever since. He was for many years a priest associate at St. Paul’s Church, Honolulu. He is remembered for providing bookkeeper services for Mission congregations.

Fr. Bert is survived by his wife, Emelina; their children, Christy and Noel; and grandchildren.

Service times are pending

ALMIGHTY AND ETERNAL GOD, to whom there is never any prayer made without hope of mercy, be merciful to the soul of your faithful servant, Alberto, being departed from this world in the confession of your Holy Name that he and all the departed may be welcomed into the company of your saints, through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Rest eternal grant him, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon him. May our brother, Alberto, rest in peace. Amen.

Bishop's Message for Holy Week
April 9, 2025

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

We come to Holy Week 2025 with a world turned upside down. In my years as Bishop, I have too often acknowledged massive changes in our world. Together we have walked through the banking crisis and economic downturn of 2007/2008, deployments of friends and family in the Iraq/Afghan wars, the Pandemic, and the Maui fires (with a continuing recovery). The actions of the Federal government in recent weeks have, in many ways, more profoundly changed the social order of the nation and the world than anything in living memory. Being frank, much that is happening is a direct challenge to Christian faith and the teaching of the Episcopal Church.
READ FULL MESSAGE

A Reflection on the Diaconate: The Feast of St. Stephen, Deacon & Martyr
(Prepared for December 26, 2024, appeared in the Chronicle, January 23, 2025)

One aspect of our common life as a Diocese that I hope we will enhance is the calling of vocational Deacons. While those called to the Priesthood pass through a period of transitional diaconate, those called to be Deacons have a special place in our common life.
What does it truly mean to be a Deacon? “An Outline of Faith” (the Catechism in the Book of Common Prayer, page 856) states: “The ministry of a Deacon is to represent Christ and his Church, particularly as a servant of those in need; and to assist bishops and Priests in the proclamation of the Gospel and the administration of the sacraments.”
I have known three Deacons that have exemplified the ministry for me:
READ MORE

Bishop of Washington's Homily
January 23, 2025

I have been asked about the homily of the Bishop of Washington, the Right Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde, delivered on Tuesday, January 22, 2025, during A Service of Prayer for the Nation at Washington National Cathedral.

Bishop Budde’s words were faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and a clarion call to live into the hope of the beloved community. She had a unique opportunity to fulfill her ordination promise to “be merciful to all, show compassion to the poor and strangers, and defend those who have no helper” (see the Book of Common Prayer, page 518, “The Ordination of a Bishop”).
READ MORE

A DIOCESAN CUSTOMARY
(Dated January 3, appeared in the Chronicle January 9, 2025))

Aloha my dear Siblings in Christ,

Among the many things on the Diocesan website there is page entitled Forms and Documents with extensive information. Under the heading “Sacrament,” you can find A Diocesan Customary. This is filled with details about liturgical norms, information about visitations, expectations of clergy, and other items.

While the whole document might be helpful in understanding some practical aspects of being in the Episcopal Church, there are two items which I want the whole Diocese to consider. I share these because they are “hot” topics within the Episcopal Church. As your Bishop, I want you to know my understanding on these two matters:
READ MORE

FIRES IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY
January 8, 2025

The news of the devastating fire in Los Angeles has an impact in our Diocese. It will bring painful memories of the Maui fire for many. Many have family and friends in the Los Angeles area.
I commend to you the comments of the Bishop of Los Angeles, John Taylor, on the fire from the Diocese of Los Angeles' website. (To view his video message on YouTube, click on his image below.) READ MORE

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
January 2-7, 2025

Click on the following links for announcements on the passing of the following:

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

The Rt. Rev. Robert L. Fitzpatrick

Past Messages

2025

2024

Earlier messages can be found on the archive page:

Message Archive