Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins…

Chairman, Dave Archambault II
Vice Chairman, Jesse B.J. McLaughlin
Secretary, Adele White

I stand in deepest solidarity with the indigenous Lakota and Dakota peoples of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and with all peoples of every race, nationality, orientation and language who find themselves oppressed by systems and structures of abusive power.  I recall the words of the Prophet Isaiah who said:   “Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.”  Is. 58:12

Mother Earth is sacred, not to one group, but to all peoples, because from her all life is brought forth and is sustained by her.  I believe, as a Christian that God created the world, and entrusted the care of that creation to the human race.  Whenever profits are placed before the protection and care of God’s creation, I believe, we as a people, violate the fundamental responsibility we have to the care of that magnificent life giving gift.

I stand with you and in support of the peaceful resistance movement to halt the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline until such time that a full and thorough Environmental Impact Study is completed and peaceful, respectful and compassionate negotiations with the Standing Rock Tribe can be completed to the satisfaction of all.

Sacred burial sites are always sacred, and ignorance of such does not abdicate the responsibility of those in power from the respect and honor due to all who have died.  I urge and implore the Dakota Access Pipeline Corporation to render the respect due to the dead and their ancestors, to cease construction; to open the lines of respectful dialogue, to explore every possible alternative and ultimately to reach a resolution which will be both respectful and reverent of all. I am confident that if people of good will, enter into meaningful dialogue and listen with the heart, the Great Spirit will reveal the best path forward for us all and for Mother Earth.

I offer you, to all the peaceful protesters who stand with you, and to all those who can hear the call of the Gospel mandate of solidarity with the poor and oppressed my faith filled support and my unwavering commitment.  Along with other tremendously courageous faith leaders I pledge my prayer and my voice in bringing to fruition the voice of Prophet Isaiah knowing that we can together become “Repairers of Broken Walls”.

In God’s Abundance and Peace,

Right Reverend Martin K. Shanahan Jr.

II Bishop of the Holy Cross Old Catholic Diocese of Minnesota