Leaders across the Episcopal Church are speaking up in criticism of immigration policies and practices, especially those that separate children from their parents on the southern border.
The Rt. Rev. Don Johnson of the Episcopal Diocese of West Tennessee shared a letter written by the Rt. Rev. Thomas E. Breidenthal of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio.
In this letter, Bishop Breidenthal writes:
“There is no question that the forced separation of families at our borders can be a powerful disincentive to entry. But this strategy damages our own commitment as a nation to the value of family life. Worse yet, it takes advantage of a value that transcends national interest. The bond that unites parent to child is universal. To honor that bond is to rebuild the unity of the human race from the ground up.”
Following up to Bishop Breidenthal’s remarks, Bishop Johnson continues:
“The action of this administration with regard to the separation of children from their parents is unconscionable, not in keeping with the spirit that has guided our country’s foundational values from the beginning and is not aligned with the Christian values we cite but are not living out in this day and time.”
Both bishops urge the people of their dioceses to contact their representatives.
The Most Rev. Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, appeared with other faith leaders on AM Joy over the weekend. Bishop Curry stated clearly that the policy of separating children from their parents is “unChristian” and “not consistent with Jesus of Nazareth.”
Other leaders in the Episcopal Church are speaking out on this issue. As the Episcopal Cafe has already shared, the Rt. Rev. David Rice of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin shared an open letter through the Fresno Bee.
[A round-up of bishops’ statements as they are received may be found here.]