Virginia Episcopalian Magazine Summer 2013 Issue | Page 5

Response to Gun Violence
Issues of morality and legislation
Emily Cherry
At the January 2013 Annual
“engages people of faith and
Council, the governing body
community organizations
of the Diocese of Virginia
in addressing the escalating
made its voice clear: “The
violence against youth in
218th Annual Council of
Chicago.” The multi-faceted
project promotes advocacy
the Diocese of Virginia
for background checks and
encourages all members of
other measures to reduce
this Diocese to work within
gun trafficking, as well as
our churches through prayer,
employing young folks,
preaching, education and
providing opportunities to
advocacy, toward reducing
stay safe and learn new skills.
the gun violence that kills

so many of God’s children in
Photo: The Rev. Deacon Mary Beth Emerson
The Rev. David Knight’s life
our nation.” In two separate
Episcopalians marched to the nation’s Capitol in a sign of solidarity
changed forever on January
resolutions – one a response
against gun violence during Holy Week.
30, 1997, as a direct result
to gun violence, the other
of gun violence. During a
on action to reduce gun
session of Annual Council, his 21-year-old son, Jamie, was shot
violence – Council voted to support the reinstatement
during an armed robbery at a Friendly’s restaurant, where he
of a federal ban on military-style, semi-automatic assault
was a manager trainee.
weapons, as well as tighter control on gun sales and mental

“It is not a political issue,” said Knight. “It is a moral
health care reform.
issue, an issue of faith. What is the Church’s response to

In the wake of the December 2012 tragedy at Sandy Hook
God’s call to us to address matters that seriously affect our
Elementary School in Newtown, Ct., the Episcopal Church
culture and the lives of people?”
has been taking a closer look at how the Church responds

Knight was one of 13 clergy and lay people who joined
to acts of gun violence – and what steps can be taken to
Johnston in a conversation on the Church’s witness to gun
prevent it. A group called Episcopalians Against Gun Violence,
violence prevention during the Bishop’s Spring Conference at
self-described as “an ad-hoc group of bishops, clergy and
Shrine Mont in May. “Bishop Shannon reminded us that this
lay people disseminating information about Episcopalians
matter is not going away, and the voices in the Church should
who are working, collectively and individually, to curb gun
not go away, either,” said Knight.
violence,” has taken shape on Facebook. On March 25, about

“I believe the Church is really called to address this
20 Episcopal bishops – including the Rt. Rev. Shannon S.
issue,” he added. “So often in parish ministry, churches don’t
Johnston, bishop of Virginia – led hundreds of Episcopalians
want to touch controversial issues. It’s easier to paper over
in a Stations of the Cross walk to the U.S. Capitol, in a march
something than to deal with it. But if we can’t discuss an
against gun violence. And Johnston has also joined together
issue, we can’t solve it.” t
with fellow bishops against gun violence.

“‘Bishops against gun violence’ does not translate into
‘bishops against guns,’” cautions Johnston. “We want to
learn