News & Messages

Statement from Bishop Miller in response to the mass shooting at Molson Coors

main image

Dear Friends in Christ,

Although I am away on sabbatical, you and the people and communities we serve are very much on my mind. I write to today after yet another round of senseless tragedy at the Molson Coors complex in the Miller Valley. My heart breaks as I see the images of our beloved see city displayed on the television.

This is the 11th mass shooting in Wisconsin since 2004. Another in 2012 led to the founding of Bishop’s United against Gun Violence. Our work continues. In early April, I will travel to Washington, DC to meet with members of Congress to plead for them to take action now to enact laws that over 80% of Americans support. The time is now!

When I learned of yesterday’s shooting I was immediately struck that this was the second mass shooting to occur on Ash Wednesday. Two years ago we watched in horror at the tragic shootings at Parkland High School. This year they occurred in Wisconsin as we were remembering our mortality and being marked with ashes in the sign of the cross. That so many lose their lives in such senseless acts of violence brings new poignancy to the prayer many of us will utter this Sunday in the Great Litany, “from dying suddenly and unprepared; Good Lord, deliver us.”

In this season of renewed devotion, I invite you to join me in intentional praying of our Lord’s Prayer thrice daily with special emphasis on the words, “thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” As you pray these words, remember that you are an agent of God’s reign. God is calling each and every one of us as citizens of God’s kingdom to work, love, and give for its manifestation.

May God keep all of you safe in the palm of his hand.

Yours in Christ,

The Rt. Rev. Steven A. Miller
Bishop


Bishops United Against Gun Violence has also released a statement on the shooting. You can find that statement here.

Bishop Miller's Message on the Planned Student Walkout

main image

The wolf shall dwell with the lamb,
and the leopard shall lie down with the kid,
and the calf and the lion and the fatling together,
and a little child shall lead them. (Isaiah 11:6 RSV)

Dear Friends in Christ,

As we gather this Sunday, we will hear these words from the prophet Isaiah. As we hear them, I want you to know that these words are being fulfilled not by little children but by youth across our state who have planned a walkout on December 13 to call legislators to act on safe and sensible gun laws that 80% of our citizens favor. Just like they did with March for Our Lives and 50 Miles More, young people are making their voices heard.

Here are two statements by local students in a recent CBS 58 news report:

“We’re supposed to learn the wonders of reading, literature, math and science, you’re not supposed to be worrying about am I going to turn this corner and is someone going to shoot my best friend in the head?”

“They’re (students) looking for exits rather than focusing on class and that’s not how we should be operating as student.”

Let us listen to our youth. Let us support their efforts and join our voices with theirs in calling for our legislature to act.

Yours in the fulfillment of God’s word,

The Rt. Rev. Steven A. Miller
Bishop

Bishop Miller Speaks at Rally for Wisconsin Gun Safety Bills

"We are here, as Episcopalians, because we believe in the dignity of every human being. And the dignity of every human being includes keeping people safe." ~Bishop Steven A. Miller

Wisconson governor Tony Evers called a special legislative session to address Gun Violence. In particular, the governor was asking legislators to pass two bills: one to expand current background check laws and the other to create an extreme risk protection process or red flag law. According to a Marquette Law School pool, over 80% of Wisconsin citizens support this legislation and yet this legislation has been stalled for some time.

Bishop Miller, a convenor of Bishops United Against Gun Violence and member of the 80% Coalitionspoke at a news conference yesterday morning at the Capitol demanding that Wisconsin legislative leaders allow a vote on the gun violence proposals. His speech begins around the three-minute mark. He also spoke with WFDL yesterday morning ahead of the rally yesterday.

Read more about it on the Episcopal News Service.

Previous123