Faith leader statement on family separations
Posted on June 7, 2018 at 10:04 am.
More information on the issue available on the Refugee & Immigration Ministry webpage
Recently, the Administration announced that it will begin separating families and criminally prosecuting all people who enter the U.S. without previous authorization. As religious leaders representing diverse faith perspectives, united in our concern for the wellbeing of vulnerable migrants who cross our borders fleeing from danger and threats to their lives, we are deeply disappointed and pained to hear this news.
We affirm the family as a foundational societal structure to support human community and understand the household as an estate blessed by God. The security of the family provides critical mental, physical and emotional support to the development and wellbeing of children. Our congregations and agencies serve many migrant families that have recently arrived in the United States. Leaving their communities is often the only option they have to provide safety for their children and protect them from harm. Tearing children away from parents who have made a dangerous journey to provide a safe and sufficient life for them is unnecessarily cruel and detrimental to the well-being of parents and children.
As we continue to serve and love our neighbor, we pray for the children and families that will suffer due to this policy and urge the Administration to stop their policy of separating families.
His Eminence Archbishop Vicken Aykazian
Diocesan Legate and Director of the Ecumenical Office
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
Mr. Azhar Azeez
Islamic Society of North America
The Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera
Bishop of Scranton, PA
Chair, Bishops' Committee for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs
Senior Bishop George E. Battle, Jr.
Presiding Prelate, Piedmont Episcopal District
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry
Presiding Bishop
Episcopal Church (United States)
The Rev. Dr. John C. Dorhauer
General Minister & President
The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton
The Rev. David Guthrie
President, Provincial Elders' Conference
Moravian Church Southern Province
Mr.Glen Guyton
Mennonite Church USA
The Rev. Teresa Hord Owens
General Minister and President
Rabbi Rick Jacobs
Mr. Anwar Khan
Islamic Relief USA
The Rev. Dr. Betsy Miller
Moravian Church Northern Province
The Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson II
Stated Clerk
Presbyterian Church (USA)
Rabbi Jonah Pesner
Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
The Rev. Don Poest
Interim General Secretary
The Rev. Eddy Alemán
Candidate for General Secretary
Reformed Church in America
Senior Bishop Lawrence Reddick III
Presiding Bishop, The Eighth Episcopal District
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
The Rev. Phil Tom
International Council of Community Churches
Senior Bishop McKinley Young
Presiding Prelate, Third Episcopal District
African Methodist Episcopal Church
Tags: African Methodist Episcopal Church, African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, Anwar Khan, Azhar Azeez, Betsy Miller, Bishops' Committee for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, David Guthrie, Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, Don Poest, Eddy Alemán, Elizabeth A. Eaton, Episcopal Church (United States), Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, George E. Battle, Glen Guyton, International Council of Community Churches, Islamic Relief USA, Islamic Society of North America, J. Herbert Nelson II, John C. Dorhauer, Jonah Pesner, Joseph C. Bambera, Lawrence Reddick III, McKinley Young, Mennonite Church USA, Michael B. Curry, Moravian Church Northern Province, Moravian Church Southern Province, Phil Tom, Presbyterian Church USA, Reformed Church in America, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, Rick Jacobs, Teresa Hord Owens, Union for Reform Judaism, Vicken Aykazian
One Response to "Faith leader statement on family separations"
Rev. Brother Michael Blackie, OSL:
Absolutely horrific. A Teen was recently deported to Mexico, brought here at 3 years old. Within a week inside Mexico, he was killed. "The Church" Catholic, Universal, United MUST Stand against this barbaric policy. Placing these defenseless children in camps and 'shelters' is no more than what Hitler did to Jews and the Nazi death camps! Diabolical.
Jun 10, 2018 5:16am