Pride 2023: We Are Sorry
May 24, 2023
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. - 2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Our faith in following Jesus is about being committed to living the way of God's unconditional, unselfish, sacrificial, redemptive, and transformational love.
Many of us try our best to walk the path of Jesus Christ in love, kindness, and respect for others, but as followers of Jesus, we don't always get it right. We have turned away, shunned, and ostracized others because of their differences. While the Episcopal Church has long embraced the gifts of the LGBTQIA+ community, Christianity as a whole has caused hurt and harm and for our part in that, we are sorry.
In the month of June, 2023, the Episcopal Diocese of Missouri seeks to reconcile with those whom we have hurt. We seek to promote the full inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people and to advocate to dismantle barriers within the church and community.
Join us in our campaign for reconciliation, love and pride as we celebrate Pride Month.
No matter who you are, no matter who or how you love, no matter what you have been told; you are God’s gift and we celebrate all that you are, all that you have been, and all that you will be. You are God’s own, God’s blessing, God’s love, just as you are!
- The Rt. Rev. Deon Johnson,
Bishop of The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri
Read the Lamentation: I Am Sorry
by the Rt. Rev. Deon K. Johnson,
Bishop of The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri
I am sorry! Lo siento!
I am sorry for the ways at the church hurt you and those you love.
I am sorry for the hurt and harm caused by fellow Christians.
I am sorry for not standing up for you when others called you every name but a child of God.
I am sorry for the times that we were silent, when you were being made to feel less than, when you felt unimportant or you felt unseen.
I am sorry for the times we did not see or chose not to see the person of infinite beauty that you are.
I am sorry that we stood on the sidelines when you were the victim of the evils of bias, homophobia, heterosexism, and transphobia.
I am sorry that we could not be the loving, liberating, and life-giving presence of Jesus.
I am sorry that we chose silence over speaking out, that we let fear guide our actions rather than faith and love.
I am sorry that in the name of Jesus you have been hurt or harmed or hampered.
You are wonderfully and marvelously made in the image and likeness of God.
You are a beloved Child of God who is worthy of dignity, respect, and above all love.
You are seen and known by God who names you and claims you and proclaims you as beloved.
Join the Campaign
We invite individuals and faith communities of all kinds to join us in this lamentation and pledge to be a more open and inclusive community.
There are many ways you can show your commitment to the I am Sorry Campaign:
- Share the I am sorry lamentation.
download the lamentation
share the video on YouTube
- Place a yard sign or poster at your home or house of worship.
download the artwork to create a yard sign or a poster (.jpg file)
download the artwork to create a yard sign or a poster (.pdf)
- Purchase an apology T-shirt or sticker from the Diocesan Online Shop:
diomo.threadless.com
- Invite and welcome everyone to be a part of your faith community!
- Sign our "I Am Sorry" Campaign Pledge:
As a follower of Jesus, I believe our community is infinitely better and stronger because of the LGBTQIA+ community. I promise to be an outspoken advocate for the protections, visibility, and opportunity you deserve.
I Am Sorry Pledge
Thank you for pledging to join us as we reconcile with those whom we have hurt. We seek to promote the full inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people and to advocate to dismantle barriers within the church and community.

LGBTQIA+ Ministry Resources
We invite you to explore the resources on our LGBTQIA+ page to learn more and take an active role in this ministry:
LGBTQIA+ Ministry
Watch the Bishop's Campaign Intro