Greetings all,
We know that many of you have been wondering when or if we would, as a Tradition, make a statement about the unrest currently sweeping the US.
We could have rushed out a statement, but we chose not to. We did not feel that a glib statement mouthing the conventional platitudes that everyone says in moments such as these would be helpful. In fact, honestly, we think it would have been insulting to those most affected.
Instead we wanted to take time and consult with our leading black Clergy as to what they would recommend as most helpful.
After all this is not a sudden occurrence. Racism is a long-term, systemic problem that has been with us all our lives. Making some hand-wringing statement for the moment and then feeling like we have addressed the issues, when we have merely commented upon them, we think is the worst thing that we could do.
We have spoken with a number of our most prominent black clergy, including Arch Priest Ser Phoenix Williams, High Priestess Aisha Beauchemin, Rev. Ser Jeanine Keys of the Order of the Round Table, Rev. Ser Eboni Nash of the Order of Paladins, Rev. Terrie Brookins, Rev. Moonraven Iuvantas, and Rev. Cher Davis. We feel that no statement that the Tradition might make would be appropriate without guidance and input from our black members who are most affected by systemic racism and by the specific events playing out now.
The recommendation that we were given was not to just to make a statement about where the Tradition stands in this moment, but about where we have always stood, and always will stand: this Tradition believes strongly in, and has repeatedly reaffirmed our belief in, racial equality. We believe in racial equality 100%, unequivocally, and without question. The Correllian Tradition has been multi-racial from its inception and will never waiver on the issue of racial equality and opposition to systemic racism.
Arch Priest Ser Phoenix Williams pointed out that this is clearly stated in our Correllian Manifesto, which is part of our Degree materials under “Correllian Philosophy” which is required study for all of our Clergy. No one in the Correllian Tradition should be in doubt of where we stand as a Tradition on the subject of racial equality and opposition to systemic racism and the abuses connected with systemic racism. The Correllian Manifesto was adopted in 1979 but reaffirms views which we have held since long before that, and to which we hold firm.
The manifesto addresses many issues involving proper behavior and good governance. The excerpts below are particularly relevant to the present day:
“4) The right to be treated equally regardless of religion, race, reputation, or other individual distinctions before the law and public.”
That is to say: systemic racism is absolutely wrong and immoral.
“7) The need for law and the necessity of government, 7.1) That said, government must not be biased so that some citizens are elevated, others denigrated.”
That is to say: systemic racism is absolutely wrong and immoral.
“7.4) That neither race, sex, sexual mores, theology, ideology, cultural background, personal reputation, ancestry, or other distinguishing characteristics are in any way excuse for governmental bias towards citizens; neither personal past, family past, or the past actions of ones associates; none of this is reason for the government to judge an individual.”
That is to say: systemic racism is absolutely wrong and immoral.
“16) That no individual should permit his or her rights and beliefs to be trampled upon, nor the rights and beliefs of others, but should defend these rights and beliefs.”
That is to say: systemic racism is absolutely wrong and immoral.
“17) That those who seek to thus oppress others must not be allowed to do so unopposed.”
That is to say: systemic racism is absolutely wrong and immoral.
We do not feel that there is any room for question on this issue. Opinions may reasonably differ on the logistics of how best to pursue racial equality, and the opinions that most need to be considered are the opinions of those most affected, but our commitment as a Tradition to racial equality is absolute.
Further advice was offered:
It was pointed out that because we are a 501c3 organization we must avoid partisan politics. As Clergy we can hold whatever partisan views we may have in our private lives, but we must never in our Clerical capacity endorse either parties or candidates as such. Please remain mindful of this.
However, opposition to racism, systemic and otherwise, is not a partisan issue. It is a moral issue. Racial equality is a matter of human decency, not political affiliation. While a Church such as ours must avoid partisan politics, morality is absolutely within our proper sphere as Clergy.
It was further pointed out that we are magical people, with magical skills to help manifest a better world. This is not a substitute for pursuing peace and equality in daily life but is a powerful adjunct to it.
Magically speaking, one of our strongest tools is Traditionwide prayer and ritual. Our Peace Prayer campaign has always stressed that peace is not merely the absence of open conflict, but rather a state in which no one need live in fear merely because of who they are. Regardless of the presence or absence of open conflict, peace cannot exist without justice. A lack of open conflict without justice is not peace, it is merely silence. Please consider joining the Peace Prayer Campaign to work magically for peace, justice, and a better world.
We pray for peace
We pray for love
We pray for stability
We pray that love may overcome fear
We pray for the nation where we live
We pray for the world
Finally, we are discussing ways in which we can address these issues in the long term. Again, systemic racism and the abuses connected with it are not something that has just suddenly popped up. Systemic racism is a deeply embedded and long-term issue. It is a generational curse that must be broken. There can be no better future built if we do not address systemic racism, but addressing it absolutely requires long-term commitment. The Tradition is working with the above-named Clergy to explore ways in which we can best strengthen and expand our commitment to racial equality and our opposition to systemic racism.
If you are Correllian, we are sure that you share this commitment, or you would not have chosen this Tradition.
M. Rev. Donald Lewis-Highcorrell
First Priest and Chancellor, Correllian Tradition
Vox Correllianus, Apu Tanglaw Liwanag, Member Triad Union
M. Rev. Stephanie Leon Neal
First Priestess, Correllian Tradition
Vox Correlliana
Rt. Rev. Ser Ed Hubbard
First Elder, Correllian Tradition
Paladin General
Rt. Rev. Ser Jason Highcorrell
First Director, Correllian Tradition
Paladin Major
We know that many of you have been wondering when or if we would, as a Tradition, make a statement about the unrest currently sweeping the US.
We could have rushed out a statement, but we chose not to. We did not feel that a glib statement mouthing the conventional platitudes that everyone says in moments such as these would be helpful. In fact, honestly, we think it would have been insulting to those most affected.
Instead we wanted to take time and consult with our leading black Clergy as to what they would recommend as most helpful.
After all this is not a sudden occurrence. Racism is a long-term, systemic problem that has been with us all our lives. Making some hand-wringing statement for the moment and then feeling like we have addressed the issues, when we have merely commented upon them, we think is the worst thing that we could do.
We have spoken with a number of our most prominent black clergy, including Arch Priest Ser Phoenix Williams, High Priestess Aisha Beauchemin, Rev. Ser Jeanine Keys of the Order of the Round Table, Rev. Ser Eboni Nash of the Order of Paladins, Rev. Terrie Brookins, Rev. Moonraven Iuvantas, and Rev. Cher Davis. We feel that no statement that the Tradition might make would be appropriate without guidance and input from our black members who are most affected by systemic racism and by the specific events playing out now.
The recommendation that we were given was not to just to make a statement about where the Tradition stands in this moment, but about where we have always stood, and always will stand: this Tradition believes strongly in, and has repeatedly reaffirmed our belief in, racial equality. We believe in racial equality 100%, unequivocally, and without question. The Correllian Tradition has been multi-racial from its inception and will never waiver on the issue of racial equality and opposition to systemic racism.
Arch Priest Ser Phoenix Williams pointed out that this is clearly stated in our Correllian Manifesto, which is part of our Degree materials under “Correllian Philosophy” which is required study for all of our Clergy. No one in the Correllian Tradition should be in doubt of where we stand as a Tradition on the subject of racial equality and opposition to systemic racism and the abuses connected with systemic racism. The Correllian Manifesto was adopted in 1979 but reaffirms views which we have held since long before that, and to which we hold firm.
The manifesto addresses many issues involving proper behavior and good governance. The excerpts below are particularly relevant to the present day:
“4) The right to be treated equally regardless of religion, race, reputation, or other individual distinctions before the law and public.”
That is to say: systemic racism is absolutely wrong and immoral.
“7) The need for law and the necessity of government, 7.1) That said, government must not be biased so that some citizens are elevated, others denigrated.”
That is to say: systemic racism is absolutely wrong and immoral.
“7.4) That neither race, sex, sexual mores, theology, ideology, cultural background, personal reputation, ancestry, or other distinguishing characteristics are in any way excuse for governmental bias towards citizens; neither personal past, family past, or the past actions of ones associates; none of this is reason for the government to judge an individual.”
That is to say: systemic racism is absolutely wrong and immoral.
“16) That no individual should permit his or her rights and beliefs to be trampled upon, nor the rights and beliefs of others, but should defend these rights and beliefs.”
That is to say: systemic racism is absolutely wrong and immoral.
“17) That those who seek to thus oppress others must not be allowed to do so unopposed.”
That is to say: systemic racism is absolutely wrong and immoral.
We do not feel that there is any room for question on this issue. Opinions may reasonably differ on the logistics of how best to pursue racial equality, and the opinions that most need to be considered are the opinions of those most affected, but our commitment as a Tradition to racial equality is absolute.
Further advice was offered:
It was pointed out that because we are a 501c3 organization we must avoid partisan politics. As Clergy we can hold whatever partisan views we may have in our private lives, but we must never in our Clerical capacity endorse either parties or candidates as such. Please remain mindful of this.
However, opposition to racism, systemic and otherwise, is not a partisan issue. It is a moral issue. Racial equality is a matter of human decency, not political affiliation. While a Church such as ours must avoid partisan politics, morality is absolutely within our proper sphere as Clergy.
It was further pointed out that we are magical people, with magical skills to help manifest a better world. This is not a substitute for pursuing peace and equality in daily life but is a powerful adjunct to it.
Magically speaking, one of our strongest tools is Traditionwide prayer and ritual. Our Peace Prayer campaign has always stressed that peace is not merely the absence of open conflict, but rather a state in which no one need live in fear merely because of who they are. Regardless of the presence or absence of open conflict, peace cannot exist without justice. A lack of open conflict without justice is not peace, it is merely silence. Please consider joining the Peace Prayer Campaign to work magically for peace, justice, and a better world.
We pray for peace
We pray for love
We pray for stability
We pray that love may overcome fear
We pray for the nation where we live
We pray for the world
Finally, we are discussing ways in which we can address these issues in the long term. Again, systemic racism and the abuses connected with it are not something that has just suddenly popped up. Systemic racism is a deeply embedded and long-term issue. It is a generational curse that must be broken. There can be no better future built if we do not address systemic racism, but addressing it absolutely requires long-term commitment. The Tradition is working with the above-named Clergy to explore ways in which we can best strengthen and expand our commitment to racial equality and our opposition to systemic racism.
If you are Correllian, we are sure that you share this commitment, or you would not have chosen this Tradition.
M. Rev. Donald Lewis-Highcorrell
First Priest and Chancellor, Correllian Tradition
Vox Correllianus, Apu Tanglaw Liwanag, Member Triad Union
M. Rev. Stephanie Leon Neal
First Priestess, Correllian Tradition
Vox Correlliana
Rt. Rev. Ser Ed Hubbard
First Elder, Correllian Tradition
Paladin General
Rt. Rev. Ser Jason Highcorrell
First Director, Correllian Tradition
Paladin Major