Symbols are powerful. And, symbols are particularly important to the life and practice of people of faith. Symbols are important to us, because we know the power of symbols.
The Baptismal Covenant of the Book of Common Prayer calls Episcopalians to “respect the dignity of every human being.” Further, we Episcopalians have been called to “transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and to pursue peace and reconciliation.”
The Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi considers "the continued inclusion of the Confederate Battle Flag in the state flag of Mississippi to be at odds with a faithful witness to the reconciling love of Jesus Christ."
In 2016, the Episcopal Diocese of Mississippi called upon the legislature of the state of Mississippi to remove the Confederate Battle Flag from the state flag.
I will be sad to see such a divisive emblem flying over the City Hall of Ocean Springs.
