Episcopal Church signs Church World Service ecumenical declaration in support of immigrants

[Episcopal News Service] The Episcopal Church is one of 45 religious groups to initially sign Church World Service’s declaration calling on faith communities nationwide to stand against anti-immigrant policies through advocacy and prayer.

Church World Service, of which The Episcopal Church is a “covenant member,” is an ecumenical organization that provides international disaster relief and assistance for refugees and asylum-seekers. The organization issued the Ash Wednesday Ecumenical Declaration: Defending Refuge on March 4, one day before the start of Lent, a time of reflection, prayer and penance.

“With our nation now facing critical decisions about how it will uphold its most cherished values in relation to vulnerable immigrants and refugees, the ecumenical declaration urges the church to ground itself in Scripture,” the declaration says. “It also challenges our political leaders to remember that we are largely a nation of immigrants, and that how we treat the most vulnerable among us speaks volumes about our power and values on the global stage.”

The declaration is open for signatures through Lent.

The declaration was written in response to President Donald Trump’s executive orders restricting immigration, issued since he retook office on Jan. 20. The policy changes effectively halted the United States’s 45-year-old program of refugee resettlement, which had been facilitated by Episcopal Migration Ministries and nine other agencies with federal contracts to do that work.

“Guided by our faith, we stand together against the sweeping measures that are devastating vulnerable families and jeopardizing their futures. These actions not only cause immediate harm but also threaten our country’s long-term ability to welcome and support those in need,” the declaration says. “We grieve for the families who have been torn apart, had years-long reunification plans cancelled, been detained and deported, have been unjustly blocked from accessing asylum protections, and have been left without access to the basic assistance they need to thrive.”

The declaration lists seven pledges:

• Advocate for the Trump administration to reverse anti-immigration executive orders.
• Call on local, state and national policymakers to renounce the federal government’s anti-immigration policies while supporting policies that welcome and back immigrants.
• Encourage congregations to educate communities about the “biblical call to welcome” and honor immigrants through Sunday worship services and church activities at least once during Lent and during World Refugee Day on June 20.
• Provide resources, assistance and encouragement to congregations as they organize public educational events and advocacy actions.
• Work with immigration leaders to help identify and address community needs.
• Defend places of worship amid increasing immigration enforcement by speaking up for immigration and educating individuals and congregations on their constitutional rights.
• Invite other religious communities to make the same commitments supporting immigrants.

“Against a backdrop of cuts to essential programs, a seeming push towards isolationism and rhetoric that encourages us to distrust our neighbors, this Declaration is an urgent reminder of our values,” Rick Santos, president and CEO of Church World Service, said in a press release. “As followers of Jesus Christ, we welcome, we don’t turn away. We cherish inclusivity, we don’t spurn it. And, ultimately, our values lead us to community instead of division.”

-Shireen Korkzan is a reporter and assistant editor for Episcopal News Service. She can be reached at skorkzan@episcopalchurch.org.