Week Ending 10/24/16

Executive Council Adds Its Voice to Standing Rock Protest

This last week police arrested large numbers of people trying to protest the building of a pipeline that may endanger the water supply of Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in North Dakota,and is destroying sacred burial sites.( For previous Update articles, begin here.)  The Episcopal Church Executive Council, meeting in New York City has adopted a resolution submitted by the Episcopal priest serving at St. James Episcopal Church in Canonball on the Standing Rock Reservation.  It calls for both federal and state authorities to deescalate the policing tactics being used, and calling on Episcopalians to offer both prayer and financial support as the protest encampment prepares for winter.  The resolution also commended the actions being taken by the Dioceses of North and South Dakota to support the protesters. 

 South Sudan Priest Killed by SPLM/A Forces

The ongoing unrest between factions in the South Sudan has claimed as one of its casualties a priest of the Episcopal Church of the Sudan who served in the diocese of Mudri.  The Rev. Lino Appollo remained behind when most civilians fled his community because he thought the troops would not hurt a priest.  The army arrested him, tortured and executed him.  Four civilians were also executed at the same time.  The Sudan news source Nyamilepedia has the more detailed story, but a second site, the Sudan Tribune includes a helpful map.