Diocese of Washington Honors Patti Browning
Episcopal News Service. January 13, 2000 [2000-008A]
(ENS) The Diocese of Washington has recognized the outstanding dedication of Patricia Sparks Browning in her efforts toward bringing peace to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. At its annual Peacemakers Award Dinner on December 8, the diocesan commission on peace honored Browning with its 1999 Peacemakers award at a celebration attended by more than 100 supporters across the diocese and the nation.
Mrs. Browning accompanied her husband, then Presiding Bishop Edmond L. Browning, on a visitation to the Diocese of Jerusalem in 1986. Moved by the struggle of Palestinians to reclaim their land, she began making regular pilgrimages, leading various delegations, pleading with the church and government not to turn a blind eye to the Palestinians who had lost their land and basic human rights.
In introducing Mrs. Browning, former ambassador to Zaire Brandon Grove spoke of her work: "This was an appeal to conscience, and reflected her commitment to peace and non-violence....Patti stresses something we need to remember, although it sounds deceptively simple: we are all one human family, and suffering and injustice anywhere in the world touches us all."
In her comments, Mrs. Browning reminded the group that "the U.S. is Israel's closest ally and biggest benefactor, which brings with it the responsibility for the U.S. to step up and be an honest broker for a real peace on both sides."
Mrs. Browning took her concerns to the church's General Convention and went to Washington to make lawmakers aware of both sides of the dispute. Through her efforts, the Episcopal Church became a leader in advocating the rights of Palestinians to statehood and their claim to Jerusalem as their capital to be shared with Israel.
Previous recipients of this prestigious award include the Most Rev. Desmond M. Tutu (1998), the Hon. Paul H. Nitze (1997) and Marian Wright Edelman (1995).
The commission on peace was founded in 1982 by Bishop John T. Walker to develop and apply a Christian understanding of world affairs. Through the work of various committees, the commission serves as a focal point in Washington for peace and justice representatives from the global Anglican Communion. In 1999, it sponsored "A Future with Hope," the first-ever interfaith conference on restorative justice.