The headlines and evening news stories assault our senses on a daily basis: children watching television in their homes killed by stray bullets, honor students whose lives are snuffed out due to gang violence, murders of family members by other family members. We can become numb to the violence that we hear about on a daily basis. The Episcopal Church condemns violence against anyone. We seek to end violence based on gender, race, color, creed and sexual orientation. We also encourage programs aimed at ending violence in our schools. We urge our dioceses to promote a culture of nonviolence by making educational materials, training and resource people available to our parishes.

Please refer to our Communication and Action sections to learn more about what you can do about stemming the tide of violence and hate.

Working together for justice.

News

[7/7/2010]  SUDAN: After referendum, church leaders want protection
Southern Sudan Christians say separation from the north of Africa's biggest country will be "beautiful."

[6/30/2010]  Church leaders denounce Philippines political killings, call for justice under new president
Global church leaders have condemned the murders of two lay members of the Philippine Independent Church in what is being reported as the latest spate of political killings under the controversial presidency of Maria Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who stepped down June 30 as the country's leader.

[2/19/2010]  WASHINGTON: Christian-Muslim Summit will launch diplomatic initiatives to end violence
[Washington National Cathedral, February 18, 2010] Delegations consisting of leaders from Anglican, Shi'a, Sunni and Catholic faith traditions will convene March 1-3 at Washington National Cathedral to discuss reconciliation between Islam and the West.

[9/11/2009]  'War on terror' affects Christians in Pakistan, bishop tells Church Center staff
[Episcopal News Service] Persecution of Christians has been documented as far back as New Testament times and has continued throughout human history, including today in Muslim-majority countries like Pakistan where recent attacks have evoked international attention and concern. Bishop Alexander John Malik of Pakistan's Diocese of Lahore is visiting New York September 8-10 and meeting with officials of the Episcopal Church, the United Methodist Church and the National Council of Churches.

[8/6/2009]  PAKISTAN: Churches to hold day of protest August 11
[Ecumenical News Service, New Delhi/London] Pakistan churches have announced a day of protest August 11 against the recent killing of Christians in central Punjab, and threats against their members in the Muslim-majority nation.

[11/13/2009]  In Hong Kong, Anglican consultation addresses horrors of human trafficking
[Episcopal News Service, Hong Kong] Women and men from around the Anglican Communion gathered in one of the most beautiful cities in the world Nov. 2-6 to focus on the ugly billion-dollar trade in children. The trafficking of human beings, though banned by international and national laws, is flourishing, about 40 participants learned at a consultation in Hong Kong. A seemingly insatiable desire for young women and girls, and boys too -- for sex, for labor, for organs -- is fueled by evil, by greed, by ignorance, by unbearable choices made in the name of love, or as a last resort from desperate need.

[10/8/2009]  Archbishop of York Speaks Out On Hope Not Hate Campaign
[Anglican Communion News Service] The Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu called for people to unite behind the Hope Not Hate anti-racism campaign.

[12/5/2008]  Episcopal Church agency responds to international piracy
[Episcopal News Service, December 5, 2008] The Episcopal Church-related Seamen's Church Institute (SCI) has become involved in efforts to block the operations of Somali pirates. Recent attacks on shipping by the pirates have attracted worldwide attention. There are currently 280 merchant mariners from 14 ships being held hostage by pirates in Somalia, according to a news release from SCI. Between January and September of this year, 581 merchant mariners have been taken hostage and nine were killed by pirates worldwide.