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Bishop's Notebook
28 October 2002
Saints Simon and Jude
This visit to Korea and to the men
and women of the Eighth Army had more gravity than at other
times. Everyone said that recent revelations about nuclear capability
to the north was not new and it had just confirmed their suspicions.
Sunday's Eucharist, with urgings to the Faithful to go out and
"be a blessing as you have been blessed", made me wonder what
indeed was there to be a blessing about? Later during a brunch
I met a senior ranking officer who worried that as the Army
increasingly became "computer-centric" , as he put it, we would
be losing ethical and moral control. He said he wouldn't let
that happen. Thank God for him and others, their reflection,
their service and their insistence to be a blessing in the midst
of uncertainty.
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Chaplain Gerry Bebber, Bishop
Packard and
Sgt. D.S. Yang of the Korean Army, (left
to right)
share a moment in the course of the
Bishop's visit to the Eighth Army
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It's chaplains like Gerry Bebber who make
the difference in these scenes. He's the pastoral leader of
the Yongsan Community. Gerry has always been exceptional and modest
about it. It took me forever to pry the following out of him. In
1994 he received the Soldier's Medal for heroic action in "the Green
Ramp Disaster" at Pope AFB. A fighter plane had crashed into the
jump preparation area where Gerry was organizing fellow airborne
troops for their lift. A fireball engulfed everyone and in the midst
of it all Gerry set aside his own safety rushing from body to body
administering aid. I tell this now because we seem to remember back
only as far as the last heroism. (Even actions of 9/11 are almost
indistinguishable now.) Yet this is the caliber of priest we have
in places like Korea. His commander is a survivor of the Pentagon.
Tough stuff to unload when you gradually re-remember what went down
for your colleagues when you weren't there. At least he has Gerry
Bebber to talk to. +gep
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Misawa, Japan
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The Bishop's Notebook
23 October 2002
Feast of Saint James of Jerusalem
I write to you from Misawa, Japan, where Rick Oberheide and
his team minister to the 35th Fighter Wing. Positioned as it is
on the northern island across the straits from Hokkaido, this Air
Force base is part of the effort which maintains peace in northwest
Asia, specifically Korea. The terrain and weather seems like Vancouver,
yet for an area that was known for Imperial Army horse farms in
the year 1300, this part of the world, really, has no comparison.
The news of North Korea's recent revelations about a nascent nuclear
capability impacts the families here with special interest.
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F-16s
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Still, all that world drama seems distant in the context of Misawa'a
sleepy out-of-the-way village where Rick and I had Chinese food
last night. (Nancy remained in the States after the West Coast Conference
and returns later this month.) Back on base this is small town America
getting ready for Halloween.
And into this mix are our chaplains. Rick is well into his second
year and the mission could not be conceived or enabled without him.
Late this afternoon we will have Eucharist and Confirmation. I ask
your prayers for the confirmands, for Rick and Nancy, their children
John, Libby, and Scott, and of course all these fine people so far
from home. +gep
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Misawa Air Base Chapel
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The Bishop's Notebook
18 October 2002
Feast of Saint Luke The Evangelist
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Images
from the West Coast Military Chaplains
and Spouses Conference
7 October — 11 October, 2002
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Mt. Calvary Monastery and Retreat House,
Santa Barbara, California
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Mt. Calvary Monastery
Santa Barbara, California
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ECUSA Military Chaplains
and spouses with Bishop Packard
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Prior Robert Hagler of
the Mt. Calvary community welcomes the conference participants
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Bishop Packard with spiritual
retreat leader,
Bill Dietrich (left) and retreat presenter,
Al Staggs (right)
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Garden at Mt. Calvary
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The Bishop's Notebook
11 October 2002
While at the House of Bishops meeting in Cleveland, Chaplain
Daniel Grossoehme drove up to host me for a day. He has been
at Children's Hospital in Akron for nine years and one can immediately
see the good result when a dedicated priest is part of the staff.
Ingeniously, Daniel has expanded his crew through adjunct positions
to include his thoughtful secretary who has CPE credit herself!
When the presence of a chaplain is needed (and that can happen
in simultaneous occurrences) Daniel and his colleagues look
at their pagers and all trot off in opposite directions. "Children's",
as the hospital is affectionately known in the area, is a bright,
airy, hopeful place where resident surgeons are called by first
names and kid's art adorns the halls. My favorite was a frog
made out of bubble gum wrappers. It was a treat for me to see
our chaplain so comfortable, fitting so well, and more than
contributing, a leader, on the healing team.
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Daniel and Henny Grossoehme
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In an exit interview I asked a vice president of the institution
what makes a chaplaincy department invaluable to a hospital. She
said that it was when chaplains spoke the language of the place
and translate their work into practical, measurable assistance.
She paused and said, "Like Daniel."
On Sunday Brook joined me as I preached at the parish where Daniel
augments the staff. The whole Grossoehme family was there, wife
Henny, and son Nate. Henny has her own special story which is also
directed toward healthcare. She is in a senior CPE program in Cleveland.
Her warmth and strength are palpable; we are not far from another
Grossoehme family member transforming an institution. I thank God
for the strength and character of priests like this. +gep
The Bishop's Notebook
4 October 2002
The Presiding Bishop appointed me to the "listening and
writing" committee which created the following letter. Though
rejected as part of the House of Bishops' response on the eve
of the Gulf War in 1990, the concepts of "just war" were accepted
this time. Why? Beyond the lobbying of this Office, the times
are different, and with the likelihood of conflict before us,
the Faithful are looking for relevant guidance, not only impassioned
pleas for peace. The key standard of proportionality does not
disarm our military as much as it requires that the technology
of lethal weapons not lead the exercise. No one wants war, but
as Augustine wrote "the fires of vengeance" will only be contained
by our candid acknowledgement that providing civilized parameters
may be the best, worst thing we can do as we strive to establish
the Kingdom of God. +gep
Dear Members of Congress,
As you begin this critical debate on behalf of the citizens
of this country over the resolution to authorize military action
against Iraq, we, the bishops of The Episcopal Church, USA,
meeting in Cleveland, Ohio, want you to know of our prayers
and support as you make this difficult decision, not just for
our country, but also for the people of Iraq and the peace of
the world. We pray, as well, for members of the armed services
and their families in the midst of international crisis and
possible military action.
We deeply respect the seriousness of your responsibility to
protect the lives of our citizens, and, with you, we condemn
the brutality of Saddam Hussein and his regime.
As disciples of Jesus Christ, we abhor violence and war. Our
faith requires us to strive always for justice and peace. We
believe that restraint and the ongoing commitment to international
cooperation are the means toward peace that we all desire.
With you, we recognize the possibility that war is sometimes
unavoidable, but we do not believe that war with Iraq can be
justified at this time.
- Iraq has not attacked the United States.
- Our nation has not exhausted all possibilities for a peaceful
solution to this potential conflict, including a new vigorous
arms inspection regime.
- Our nation has not sufficiently garnered world support.
- It is highly likely that the consequences of a war with Iraq
will not be contained within its borders.
- We believe a pre-emptive strike against Iraq, with the overwhelming
force such a strike may require to attain an expedient victory,
may have many unintended consequences, including unacceptable
civilian casualties.
Further, in this instance, we do not support a decision to go
to war without clear and convincing evidence of the need for us
to defend ourselves against an imminent attack. The wisdom of our
own Christian faith, as well as other religious traditions, teaches
us to demonstrate the greatest prudence and caution when the lethal
force of war is contemplated. We believe that writings on Just
War are particularly helpful to our nation's ongoing deliberations.
As we search for those responsible for the attacks of September
11, we must encourage such discernment that keeps our society civilized
and free.
We stand with other Christian leaders who oppose a pre-emptive strike
against Iraq. The leaders of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in
America, the Presbyterian Church of the USA, the Orthodox Church
in America, The Christian Church (The Disciples of Christ), The
United Church of Christ, The African Methodist Episcopal Church,
The Anglican Consultative Council, representing 70 million Anglicans
around the world, and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops,
have all raised questions about the wisdom and morality of our country's
pursuing this course of action.
Over the next weeks, as you debate our possible involvement in a
war against Iraq, know that we are praying with you and for you.
The House of Bishops
The Episcopal Church
Cleveland, Ohio
October 1, 2002
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