Jan 8, 2026 | #BishopStatements, #Press&BishopStatements, #PressRelease
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Since Monday, I’ve been participating in a contemplative prayer retreat with some of my fellow bishops in Schuyler, Nebraska. The time we’ve spent has been meaningful, and I am particularly grateful to have begun this new year focused on prayer—this most essential part of our Christian discipleship that can often fall by the wayside as the concerns and crush of the world mount.
Like many of you, I awoke on January 3 to the shocking and disheartening news that our country invaded Venezuela, forcibly removed their president, and unabashedly stated that the U.S. was going to run the country and control its oil production. For an administration that promised many things, including the end of our involvement in “forever wars,” this action is especially alarming. The fact that our duly elected representatives in Congress had absolutely no involvement in this decision is beyond troubling for such a weighty and consequential action.
I asked myself, “What can I do as a Christian, as an American citizen, and as a child of God who values the hard-won democracy that generations of our forebears bled for, marched for, and sought to perfect?”
I am not so naïve as to believe that my salvation arises through our political system or our elected leaders. I do my best to avoid partisan bluster. I endeavor to refrain from the same dehumanization of those who vote differently from me that I find deplorable when aimed at me.
But there are times that require us to make our ultimate allegiance known, and the combination of this action in Venezuela, repeated attempts to rewrite the history of the January 6 Capitol riot, and yesterday’s murder of Renee Good in Minnesota by ICE agents makes me do so now.
As a follower of the One we know as the Prince of Peace, I see war as one of our worst human failures and must only be considered as a last resort. To actively seek it out, especially when one’s own life is not offered in service to the cause, is reckless, foolish, and decidedly not in line with the teachings of Christ.
The attempts to whitewash the violence and insurrection of January 6, on the day we Western Christians celebrate the last day of Christmas and the arrival of the wise ones at Jesus’ manger is jarring. As Christians, we celebrate the Epiphany, which is about the promises of God extending beyond Jesus’ narrow social context and tribe to enlighten the nations and larger world. And yet, January 6 in our country is now known for division, destruction, and deceit. Such misdirection and schemes are more easily associated with King Herod than with the King of Kings who is the way, the truth, and the life.
And when I see another civilian murdered by an ICE agent on a residential street in Minnesota, and the sickening spin that ensues, I wonder when it will be enough. How many more innocent people will die before we decide to say no more? How many of the freedoms our forebears fought for must be erased before we stand up together and take our own risks for freedom’s sake?
As I said earlier, I’ve chosen to begin this new year with a renewed focus on contemplative prayer. The Bishop of Minnesota, the Rt. Rev. Craig Loya, who now must deal with this crisis in his diocese, as well as the Bishop of Washington, the Rt. Rev. Mariann Budde, who called our country to decency and mercy last year during this season, have been praying here as well.
I ask all of you who read this, regardless of who you vote for, to join us in this renewed focus and to attend to your own prayer lives.
Not as a way of shutting out the world, or disengaging from the hard work ahead of us, but as the surest path to discerning how and when to enact your faith allegiance in the public square.
Through contemplative prayer, each of us comes face to face with two simultaneous truths—we are all beset by fears and the shadow sides of our souls that we’d prefer to ignore or hide AND we are all beloved by God in unfathomable ways that we spend this existence exploring. The more we can attune ourselves to these truths, the more we can both receive and extend grace and perceive when it is time to take the fruits of prayer and convert them into action.
As we move into this Epiphany season, in a time of uncertainty and fear in our country, I pray that you will resist the urge to meet violence with violence, hatred with more hatred, and dehumanization with more dehumanization.
Sink the roots of your heart deep into the rich soil of Jesus’ way, truth, and life and draw from the living water that only he can provide. And most importantly, connect with your siblings in Christ for strength and support and keep reminding one another of “whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable,” and then find ways to live that out together.
For the sake of our country, the sake of our planet, and the sake of your very souls.
Yours in Christ,
Austin
Desde el lunes, he estado participando en un retiro de oración contemplativa con algunos de mis compañeros obispos en Schuyler, Nebraska. El tiempo que hemos dedicado en este retiro ha sido significativo, y he estado especialmente agradecido de comenzar el año nuevo centrándome en la oración—esta parte tan esencial de nuestro discipulado cristiano que a veces puede quedar en segundo plano a medida que aumentan las preocupaciones y presiones del mundo.
Como muchos de ustedes, desperté el 3 de enero con la impactante y desalentadora noticia de que nuestro país invadió Venezuela, destituyó por la fuerza a su presidente y declaró sin complejos que Estados Unidos iba a gobernar el país y controlar su producción de petróleo. Para una administración que prometió muchas cosas, incluso el fin de nuestra participación en “guerras eternas”, esta acción es especialmente alarmante. El hecho de que nuestros representantes debidamente elegidos en el Congreso no tuvieran absolutamente ninguna implicación en esta decisión es más que preocupante para una acción tan importante y trascendental.
Me pregunté: ¿Qué puedo hacer como cristiano, como ciudadano estadounidense y como hijo de Dios que valora la democracia ganada con esfuerzo por la que generaciones de nuestros antepasados sangraron, marcharon y buscaron perfeccionar?
No soy tan ingenuo como para creer que mi salvación surge de nuestro sistema político ni de nuestros líderes electos. Hago todo lo posible por evitar fanfarronería partidista y procuro evitar la misma deshumanización de quienes votan de forma diferente a mí y que encuentro deplorable cuando se dirige a mí.
Pero hay momentos en los que debemos hacer pública nuestra lealtad definitiva, y la combinación de esta acción en Venezuela, los repetidos intentos de reescribir la historia del motín del Capitolio del 6 de enero y el asesinato ayer de La Sra. Renee Good en Minnesota por agentes de ICE me hace hacerlo ahora.
Como seguidor del Único que conocemos como el Príncipe de la Paz, veo la guerra como uno de los peores fracasos humanos que solo debe considerarse como último recurso. Buscarlo activamente, especialmente cuando la propia vida no se ofrece al servicio de la causa, es imprudente, necio y decididamente no concuerda con las enseñanzas de Cristo.
Los intentos de blanquear la violencia y la insurrección del 6 de enero, en el día en que los cristianos occidentales celebramos el último día de Navidad y la llegada de los sabios al pesebre de Jesús, resultan chocantes. Como cristianos, celebramos la Epifanía, que trata sobre las promesas de Dios que se extienden más allá del estrecho contexto social y la tribu de Jesús para iluminar a las naciones y al mundo en general. Y, sin embargo, el 6 de enero en nuestro país es ahora conocido por la división, la destrucción y el engaño. Tales engaños y intrigas se asocian más fácilmente con el rey Herodes que con el Rey de Reyes, que es el camino, la verdad y la vida.
Y cuando vea a otro civil asesinado por un agente de ICE en una calle residencial de Minnesota, y el giro nauseabundo de desinformación que se desataba, me pregunto cuándo será suficiente. ¿Cuántas personas inocentes más morirán antes de que decidamos no decir más? ¿Cuántas de las libertades por las que lucharon nuestros antepasados deben ser borradas antes de que nos levantemos juntos y asumamos nuestros propios riesgos por la libertad?
Como dije antes, he decidido comenzar este nuevo año con un renovado enfoque en la oración contemplativa. El Obispo Craig Loya en Minnesota, que ahora tiene que lidiar con esta crisis en su diócesis, así como La Obispa Mariann Budde, que llamó a nuestro país a la decencia y la misericordia el año pasado durante esta temporada, también han estado orando aquí.
Les pido a todos los que lean esto, independientemente de a quién voten, que les unan a nosotros en este renovado enfoque y que atendáis vuestras propias vidas de oración.
No sea como una forma de aislarse del mundo ni de desvincularse del arduo trabajo que tenemos por delante, sino como el camino más seguro para discernir cómo y cuándo ejercer nuestra lealtad de fe en la plaza pública.
A través de la oración contemplativa, cada uno de nosotros se enfrenta a dos verdades simultáneas: todos estamos acosados por miedos y los lados oscuros de nuestra alma que preferiríamos ignorar o ocultar Y todos somos amados por Dios de formas insondables que dedicamos esta existencia a explorar. Cuanto más sintonizemos con estas verdades en nosotros mismos, más podremos tanto recibir como extender la gracia y percibir cuándo llega el momento de tomar los frutos de la oración y convertirlos en acción.
Al adentrarnos en esta temporada de la Epifanía, en un tiempo de incertidumbre y miedo en nuestro país, rezo para que ustedes resistan el impulso de responder a la violencia con más violencia, al odio con más odio y a la deshumanización para más deshumanización.
Hundan las raíces del corazón profundamente en la rica tierra del camino, la verdad y la vida de Jesús y tomen del agua viva que solo Él puede proporcionar. Y lo más importante, conecten con sus hermanas, hermanos, y hermanes en Cristo para obtener fuerza y apoyo, y recuerden mutuamente “lo que sea verdad, lo que sea honorable, lo justo, lo que sea puro, lo que sea agradable, lo que sea encomiable” — y luego busquen maneras de vivir eso juntos.
Por el bien de nuestro país, por el bien de nuestro planeta y por el bien de sus propias almas.
Suyo en Cristo,
Austin
Aug 12, 2025 | #Press&BishopStatements
Dear Diocesan Community:
It is with a heavy heart that we share some tragic news. Our diocesan office has been informed that The Reverend Elizabeth (Beth) Phillips died in a car accident in Yuba County on Friday, late afternoon. The news is a profound shock, and I know this loss will be felt deeply by our community.
Please hold Beth’s husband, Charlie Mabie, and their family in your prayers. May Beth, in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection, rest in peace and rise in glory.
Sierra +
Let us pray.
God of all, we pray to you for Beth, and for all those whom we love but see no longer. Grant to them eternal rest. Let light perpetual shine upon them. May her soul and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Jun 10, 2025 | #BishopStatements, #Press&BishopStatements, #PressRelease
Beloved in Christ,
Like all Californians, we are watching with great concern the events unfolding around immigration protests in Los Angeles. We are deeply concerned about the ICE raids and about the potential for violence arising from the deployment of National Guard troops and Marines to the Los Angeles area. We are concerned that military deployments will escalate the confrontations unnecessarily, and worry that all of our regions in California may be subject to future deployments that heighten tensions rather than resolving them.
Bishop John Harvey Taylor, the Episcopal Bishop of Los Angeles, has posted on social media this past weekend about what is happening in Los Angeles and his interpretation of the ways in which local officials, law enforcement, federal agencies, and protesters are all interacting. He expressed deep pain and anger as fourteen people in one single Episcopal congregation in that diocese were detained by ICE on Friday. Certainly, we as Episcopalians are shocked and saddened when any of our own are removed from our beloved community.
In all six of our dioceses, people are concerned and fearful about the denial of due process for those detained and the potential for ICE raids targeting beloved community institutions and people working to support their families. People feel angry and threatened that the haven they sought in our communities is no longer safe. US citizens and legal residents feel deep grief at losing beloved friends and family members. Children whose parents are deported face uncertain futures. In our churches, we strive to protect our members who are at risk.
Our Baptismal Covenant asks us, “Will you strive for justice and peace among all people and respect the dignity of every human being (BCP p. 417)?” This question is a direct and ongoing call to us as persons who follow Christ to live out our calling opposed to injustice, to violence of any kind, and to stand up where human beings are not treated as we would treat a child of God. This question needs to be foremost in our thoughts as we consider our response to the situation in Los Angeles.
In the Episcopal Church, we uphold a proud tradition of advocating for civil rights and supporting the vulnerable in our society. We stand for fierce love and for justice that leads to peace, as well as societal practices that preserve human dignity. With God’s help, we will speak and pray on behalf of all in this situation.
Bishop Taylor has asked for our prayers for Los Angeles, and we invite all our dioceses to pray for the unfolding situation there as well as for peace and justice in all our communities. We ask that you join us in praying:
“Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart, and especially the hearts of the people of this land, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen (BCP p. 823).”
In Christ,
The Rt. Rev. Lucinda Ashby
Episcopal Bishop of El Camino Real
The Rt. Rev. David Rice
Episcopal Bishop of San Joaquin
The Rt. Rev. Austin K. Rios
Episcopal Bishop of California
The Rt. Rev. Susan Brown Snook
Episcopal Bishop of San Diego
The Rt. Rev. John Harvey Taylor
Episcopal Bishop of Los Angeles
The Rt. Rev. Megan Traquair
Episcopal Bishop of Northern California
Jun 10, 2025 | #BishopStatements, #Press&BishopStatements
Dear siblings in the Diocese of California,
ICE agents handcuffing day laborers at Home Depot.
National Guard troops patrolling the streets of Los Angeles.
Waymo cars engulfed in flames.
These images can feel frightening, evoking memories of other traumatic events in our nation’s history. And in this era of artificial intelligence and deepfakes, we sometimes can’t be sure what’s real.
Are some images distorted? Were some deleted because they don’t fit a preferred narrative?
It’s hard to grasp the full scope of what’s happening on the ground. But we do know this: from firsthand accounts shared by friends in the Diocese of Los Angeles and here in DioCal, we can confirm that ICE raids are escalating, the military has been deployed, and tensions in our cities—including San Francisco—are growing.
Let us be clear: we do not condone violence against nonviolent protestors nor violence against law enforcement and military personnel. That’s part of why this moment feels so difficult. And rather than seeking to de-escalate and discern a path forward, the Trump administration’s deployment of military forces appears designed to provoke further unrest—and it may be unlawful.
It’s tempting to respond with anger, fear, or violence. But as Scripture reminds us, and as we’ve learned together in our walk of faith, life brings many disorienting and fearful moments. Again and again, the angels say: Do not be afraid. As followers of Christ, we confront fear with faith—and with community.
As the Diocese of California, we will continue to uphold the promises of our Baptismal Covenant, including the vow to respect the dignity of every human being—whether they are peaceful protestors or violent agitators, ICE agents or those targeted by ICE, the President of the United States or a child with no voice in our political system.
Respecting dignity does not mean we abandon truth. It means seeking it and holding fast to it together, even as we navigate complexity and conflict.
Many of you know the Mister Rogers quote about “looking for the helpers” in times of crisis. I encourage you, beloved DioCal friends—not only to look for the helpers during this fraught time, but to be one.
Yours in Christ,
+Austin
Del Obispo Austin: Enfrentando el Miedo Con Fe
Queridos hermanos de la Diócesis de California:
Agentes de ICE esposando a jornaleros en Home Depot.
Tropas de la Guardia Nacional patrullando las calles de Los Ángeles.
Coches de Waymo envueltos en llamas.
Estas imágenes pueden resultar aterradoras, evocando recuerdos de otros eventos traumáticos en la historia de nuestra nación. Y en esta era de inteligencia artificial y “deepfakes”, a veces no podemos confiarnos de qué es verdadero. ¿Hay imágenes distorsionadas? ¿Se eliminaron algunas porque no encajan en una narrativa preferida?
Es difícil comprender la magnitud de lo que está sucediendo en nuestro país. Pero sí sabemos esto: por testimonios de primera mano compartidos por amigos en la Diócesis de Los Ángeles y aquí en DioCal, podemos confirmar que las redadas de ICE están aumentando, el ejército ha sido desplegado y la tensión en nuestras ciudades, incluyendo San Francisco, está creciendo.
Seamos claros: no toleramos la violencia contra manifestantes pacíficos ni la violencia contra las fuerzas del orden y el personal militar. Esa es una de las razones por las que este momento se siente tan difícil. Y en lugar de intentar reducir la tensión y discernir un camino a seguir, el despliegue de fuerzas militares por parte de la administración Trump parece diseñado para provocar más disturbios, y podría ser ilegal.
Es tentador responder con ira, miedo o violencia. Pero como nos recuerdan las Escrituras, y como hemos aprendido juntos en nuestro camino de fe, la vida trae muchos momentos desorientadores y temerosos. Una y otra vez, los ángeles dicen: No tengan miedo. Como seguidores de Cristo, enfrentamos el miedo con fe y con comunidad.
Como Diócesis de California, continuaremos defendiendo las promesas de nuestro Pacto Bautismal, incluido el voto de respetar la dignidad de todo ser humano, ya sean manifestantes pacíficos o agitadores violentos, agentes de ICE o aquellos que son blanco de ICE, el Presidente de los Estados Unidos o un niño sin voz en nuestro sistema político.
Respetar la dignidad no significa abandonar la verdad. Significa buscarla y aferrarnos a ella juntos, incluso mientras afrontamos la complejidad y el conflicto.
Muchos de ustedes conocen la cita del famoso sujeto de un programa de televisión para niños, el “Señor Rogers” (Mister Rogers) sobre “buscar a los ayudantes en tiempos de crisis”. Los animo, queridos amigos de DioCal, no solo a buscar a los ayudantes en estos tiempos difíciles, sino a ser uno de ellos.
Suyo en Cristo,
+Austin
Jun 5, 2025 | #BishopStatements, #Press&BishopStatements, #PressRelease
June 5, 2025
Dear siblings in Christ,
Later today, Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe will release this letter to the wider church concerning the Title IV matter involving Bishop Marc Andrus. Before that happens, I want you to hear directly from me.
The presiding bishop’s statement shares that an accord has been reached with Bishop Andrus following a Title IV investigation and process that was thorough and consultative. Under the terms of this accord, Bishop Andrus remains suspended from ministry while he undergoes a psychological evaluation and continues in spiritual and therapeutic work. The accord also provides for the pastoral care and therapeutic needs of the complainant.
I realize this matter remains painful for many in our diocesan community. If you are carrying any burden from it and would like pastoral support, please reach out to the Rev. Canon J. Sierra Reyes or the Ven. Miguel Bustos. I will continue to be present with our clergy and congregations in the days ahead.
Please join me in praying for healing for all those affected, and for our life together as people rooted in Christ’s mercy and mission.
Yours in Christ,
+Austin
Pastoral care team contact information:
The Rev. J. Sierra Reyes: [email protected]
The Ven. Miguel Bustos: [email protected]
5 de Junio de 2025
Del Obispo Austin: Un Mensaje a Nuestra Diócesis
Queridos hermanos y hermanas en Cristo,
Más tarde en el día de hoy, el obispo primado Sean Rowe enviará esta carta a la Iglesia en general sobre el asunto del Título IV que involucra al Obispo Marc Andrus. Antes de que eso suceda, quiero que se dirijan directamente a mí.
El comunicado del Obispo Primado indica que se ha llegado a un acuerdo con el obispo Andrus tras una investigación y un proceso exhaustivos y consultivos relacionados con el Título IV. Según los términos de ese acuerdo, el obispo Andrus permanece suspendido del ministerio mientras se somete a una evaluación psicológica y persiste con su tarea espiritual y terapéutica. El acuerdo también contempla la atención pastoral y las necesidades terapéuticas del denunciante.
Entiendo que este asunto sigue siendo doloroso para muchos en nuestra comunidad diocesana. Si les preocupa y desean apoyo pastoral, por favor, comuníquense con el Rdo. Cango. J. Sierra Reyes o con el Ven. Miguel Bustos. Seguiré presente con nuestro clero y congregaciones en los próximos días.
Les pido que se unan a mí en oración por la recuperación de todos los afectados y por nuestra vida en comunidad, arraigados en la misericordia y la misión de Cristo.
Suyo en Cristo,
+Austin
Información de contacto del equipo de atención pastoral:
El Rev. J. Sierra Reyes: [email protected]
El Venerable Miguel Bustos: [email protected]
Jun 3, 2025 | #DidYouKnow, #Press&BishopStatements, #PublicServiceAnnouncement, #Stories
A message from the Rev. Canon Sierra Reyes, Canon to the Ordinary
The Diocese of California is delighted to share news of a significant new venture: the Standing Committee and Bishop’s endorsement of St. Lucy’s, East Bay, a unique specialized mission. This exciting development embodies our hope to cultivate diverse and dynamic expressions of faith that resonate with the evolving spiritual landscape of our communities.
What is a Specialized Mission?
Within the Episcopal Diocese of California, a specialized mission is a new congregation established with the specific purpose of ministering to a particular group of people or to address a unique missional need. This canonical framework provides the flexibility for innovative church planting and outreach efforts.
St. Lucy’s aims to build a community of faith for those who have become disenchanted from organized religion or are exploring faith for the very first time. Emily Hansen Curran, the church planter of St. Lucy’s, articulates her profound conviction: “It is my deep belief that there are people out there who have left the more conservative traditions of Christianity and who are looking for what could be next or how they could possibly have faith again.”
Bishop Austin K. Rios emphasized how this new mission highlights the creativity that can be found in our canonical structure: “Our governance structure within the Diocese of California is designed to be both robust and adaptable, creating fertile ground for the emergence of ‘fresh expressions’ of faith like St. Lucy’s. This new mission powerfully demonstrates our commitment to meeting all people where they are, inviting them into the transformative love of God.”
St. Lucy’s will cultivate a worship experience, emphasizing mystery, shared leadership, and a formational journey that offers opportunities for both learning and profound transformation. The mission plans to hold its services at St. Paul’s, Oakland on Sunday evenings, a thoughtful timing chosen to avoid any interference with existing congregations and to specifically welcome a demographic often not reached by current church offerings. As Emily Hansen Curran highlights, the goal is “to offer a church community and worshiping experience very different from what is currently on offer by any Episcopal churches in the area in the hopes of speaking to a different demographic.”
We invite all members of the Diocese of California to hold Emily Hansen Curran, the leadership team, and the entire community of St. Lucy’s in your prayers as they embark on this vital new ministry.
For more information about this exciting new community, please visit the St. Lucy’s website: https://www.stlucyschurch.org/
Should you have any questions regarding the missions of the Diocese of California, please contact Canon to the Ordinary, J. Sierra Reyes, at [email protected].
