Dear People of God in the Diocese of Chicago: Late yesterday, Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan released a report concluding that the Roman Catholic Church in Illinois has withheld the names of at least 500 priests accused of sexual abuse of children and has, in many instances, failed to conduct appropriate investigations into complaints of sexual abuse by…
Violence and Public Safety
Listening to Women: A Letter from Bishop Lee
Dear Friends, In the last several weeks, I have watched and listened as women from all walks of life, both in and out of the church, have demonstrated courage and conviction by sharing their stories of being sexually abused and harassed by men. These women, many of them inspired by the brave and quiet dignity…
Working for Peace with Justice: A Message from Bishop Lee
Dear People of God in the Diocese of Chicago: Today’s verdict in the trial of Jason Van Dyke for the murder of Laquan McDonald is a long-awaited measure of justice for Laquan’s family and for the many Chicago residents who have struggled to build a system of policing that all citizens can trust and hold…
March for Our Lives on March 24
On Saturday, March 24, Episcopalians from across the country will follow the lead of the students and families of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and take to the streets for the March for Our Lives. “On March 24, the Saturday before Palm Sunday, please do something to stand against gun violence as part of your pilgrimage…
We Stand in Solidarity with the People of Nevada
Bishops United Against Gun Violence, a coalition of 70 Episcopal Church bishops among which Bishop Jeff Lee is a member, released the following statement below today in response to the Las Vegas shootings. Please note the tolling of bells the morning of Tuesday, October 3, in solidarity with the Episcopal Diocese of Nevada. October 2,…
Standing Against White Supremacy is a Gospel Imperative: A Letter from Bishop Lee
Dear sisters and brothers in Christ: In April, the Diocese of Chicago hosted a Bishops United Against Gun Violence conference about the unholy trinity of racism, poverty and violence. This weekend in Charlottesville, as white supremacists rioted and terrorized people of goodwill, we saw yet again the wages of these sins and the destruction that they wreak…