Episcopal Church Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has issued the following:

The Episcopal Church has come a long way in the last 10 years. We are no longer consumed by internal conflict over various social issues. We are clearer about who we are – a multinational church, with congregations in 17 nations, worshipping in countless different languages, thriving in international, immigrant, and multicultural contexts everywhere, and discovering the abundant life that comes in turning outward to love the neighbors nearby and far away. We are far more conscious about our vocation as partners in the mission of God to reconcile and heal the world, particularly shaped by the Five Anglican Marks of Mission. We are holding our identity as Episcopal Christians a bit more confidently, even in the midst of our diversity. We are also more willing to hold that identity lightly and gracefully in engaging other Christians and people of other religious traditions, searching for what we dream of in common – shalom, the Reign of God, a more just and peaceful world, with abundant life for all creation.

I am deeply grateful for what God has been up to in the midst of our journey together, and I look forward to seeing how this church of the middle way will continue to lead and partner as we travel the road home, into God’s fullest dream of abundant life for all. I thank the people of this Church and beyond for your prayers over the last nine years – especially in recognition that we do this work together, never alone. May God bless the next chapter of The Episcopal Church’s engagement in God’s mission, as we go together into Galilee!

The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori

Presiding Bishop and Primate

The Episcopal Church