As our national leaders struggle with a response to Syria’s apparent use of nerve gas in its civil war, it seems appropriate to stop and remember something of our heritage and ask a few questions.
4 September is the feast day of an Episcopal Bishop, Paul Jones. Bishop Jones was bishop of Utah from 1916 to 1918 when he was forced to resign. Why? He was opposed to World War I and was apparently quite vocal about it. He was also considered a socialist as well as a pacifist. His opposition, especially to the U.S. entering the war, was considered an affront by those who held that entering the war was a moral duty. Consequently, anyone who opposed that decision was considered immoral. Bishop Jones finally yielded to the pressure and resigned in April 1918.
Bishop Jones served as a bishop only once more when he temporaly held the see of Southern Ohio while a new ordinary was being selected. In 1933, he was allowed to resume his seat in the House of Bishops, but was deprived of a vote. From his resignation until his death, he advocated for civil rights for African Americans, for social reform, and economic justice. He was very involved in founding the Episcopal Peace Fellowship. Toward the end of his life, he helped resettle Jews who were displaced by the Nazis.
Bishop Jones seems to have clearly have paid a dear price for his stance. When a person responds to God’s urgings to take the stole of ordained ministry, it is seldom with the awareness of potential pain that may be associated with that decision. Usually, it is with a sense of what good one can do. Additionally, one does not accidentally become a bishop. One agrees to stand for election, indicating that he or she feels further called to this particular expression of God’s work. I imagine there is at least some feeling that some important work can be done from this position that might not be done without the mitre. Reflect then, on how it must feel to have that pulpit taken away because you believe you’re doing that work.
As Christians, each of us is called to take moral stands as an expression of our faith. We can’t be so naive as to believe it will not be without costs. I believe it is indisputable that the Church has often embraced military action as a just cause, or sometimes in its history, embraced it because it served the political needs of the institution. It is also indisputable that many Christians have argued for the cause of non-violence and rejected the idea of a “just war.”
I suspect at this point in our history, we are all weary of war. Our current dilemma is made more difficult by a prior announcement that the use of gas crosses a red line that requires a response, not a debate. But now how do we respond? And what is our individual position on whatever decision is to be made? This is the conundrum. We don’t wish more death, but we may also have some sense of moral imperative to kill into order to diminish a greater number of deaths.
I don’t offer an answer. I do offer this prayer that is to be prayed on Paul John’s feast day.
Merciful God, who sent your beloved Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Raise up in this and every land witnesses, who, after the example of your servant Paul Jones, will stand firm in proclaiming the Gospel of the Prince of Peace, our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
Peace, Jerry+
Very, very hard situation. Still when there is such evil, killing so many innocent people, it seems using reason or compassion just won't get any results. I knew a Syrian family that used to run a deli in a southern city. They told everyone they were Greek to avoid any problems, and they loved living in the U.S. Then the father realized that because of new tensions in the world, if he didn't return to Syria then, he would never see his extended family again. So he left, saying he feared for his life in his own country. I've been thinking of him—how can we not do whatever it takes?
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