Explanation

The Diocese of Hawai`i passed a resolution at its 46th Diocesan Convention asking that that the 78th General Convention commemorate Queen Lili’uokalani (September 2, 1838 – November 11, 1917) in Holy Women, Holy Men or any subsequent Calendar of Commemoration. Due to the discussion of the various the Church’s commemorations in the liturgical calendar, action on the resolution has been delayed until clarification of inclusion in the Church’s liturgical calendar (see 2015-C002 and 2018-A065).

Queen Lili’uokalani is an example of a strong indigenous woman who lived a life committed to justice, nonviolence, and reconciliation. Her words, actions, and legacy, bear witness to her deep faith in Christ Jesus, and her steadfastness in life as an example of a baptized and confirmed member of our Church and of the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Honolulu, Hawai’i.

A persistent advocate for justice and nonviolence, who recognized the “Beloved Community” in her own day, the Queen refused sanction the use of force or to encourage her people to respond violently when faced by heavily armed forces from the United States Navy acting in support of a band of insurrectionists (largely from the United States and Europe) as her government was illegally overthrown (January 17, 1893). In doing so, she prevented the undue bloodshed of her people against overwhelming force. She appealed to President Grover Cleveland by surrendering her throne to the American government and asked her subjects to respect her decision. She was forcefully removed from her throne and subsequently imprisoned for her witness in opposition to American imperialism. Her model of grace left a powerful symbol of God's love that continues to be at the center of the Native Hawaiian community and to the entire Church.

The Queen was also a well known musician and composer. One of her most well-known compositions is the Queen’s Prayer or Ke Aloha o Ka Haku sung most Sundays at parishes in Hawai`i. It is based upon the readings of the only two books allowed to her during her imprisonment, the Holy Bible and the Book of Common Prayer. As a neighbor to St. Andrew’s Cathedral, she received refuge during the counterrevolution with the Anglican Sisters at St. Andrew’s Priory School for Girls. They and the Bishop, the Right Reverend Alfred Willis, would minister and visit her during her imprisonment and these deeds of charity would influence Her Majesty to become a member of our Church. The lyrics reflect her faith in the face of adversity:

 

O kou aloha no, aia i ka lani                      Your love is in heaven

A ‘o kou ‘o ia i’o, he hemolelo ho’I             Your truth, so perfect.

Ko’u noho mihi ana, a pa’ahao ia               I live in sorrow, imprisoned.

O ‘oe ku’u lama, kou nani, ko’u ko’o          You are my light, your glory my support

Mai nana ‘ino’ino, na hewa o kanaka         Behold not with malevolence, the sins of man,

Aka e huikala, a ma’ema’e no                    But forgive, and forgive.

No laila e ka Haku, ma lalao kou ‘eheu      And so, O Lord, beneath your wings,

Ko makou maluhia, a mau loa aku no        Be our peace, forever more.

 

The remembrance and commemoration of Her Majesty has been practiced in the congregations of Diocese of Hawai’i, on her birthday, September 2nd, the anniversary of her baptism and confirmation (by Bishop Willis) on May 18, and on the anniversary of her death November 11th (or the Sunday closest to that date). She is also remembered by churches in North America and Oceania in witness to her non-violent response to imperialism and faith in Christ Jesus. It is fitting in the 21st century to have The Episcopal Church formally recognize this commemoration on November 11th of an indigenous Episcopalian who was and is an example and inspiration of living out her Baptismal faith, of nurturing the “Jesus Movement” in our day, and seeking the Beloved Community in these Islands, which was her earthly Kingdom, and throughout the world.