Presiding Bishop
Katharine Jefferts Schori has issued the following statement on the
current crisis of unaccompanied children and families at the United
States border.
"The influx of vulnerable people from Central America, including
unaccompanied minors as well as mothers with children, continues to
challenge the United States to respond compassionately. Like Sudanese
or Syrian refugees, these people are fleeing hunger, violence, and the
fear of rape, murder, and enslavement. The violence in Central America
has escalated significantly in recent months, particularly as a result
of gangs and trafficking in drugs and human beings. These people are
literally fleeing for their lives.
The United States
has a checkered history in responding to refugee crises. We shut our
eyes and ears, as well as our ports, during the crimes against Jews and
other vulnerable persons in the midst of the Second World War. We have
been more welcoming to Sudanese youths looking for survival in the last
20 years.
The Episcopal
Church believes we have a responsibility to all our neighbors,
particularly the strangers and sojourners around us. We have been
resettling refugees since 1939. Today, Episcopal Migration Ministries
(EMM) and Episcopal Relief & Development are working with churches
and dioceses in areas where these Central American women and children
are being served.
Episcopalians are
responding with prayers and concern, and asking how to help. I urge you
to remember these people and their difficult and dangerous position in
your prayers - today, this coming Sunday, and continuing until we find a
just resolution. The Episcopal Church has established an account to
receive financial contributions to assist Episcopal Migration Ministries
in this work. For details, please contact EMM@episcopalchurch.org.
I would also
encourage you to contact your legislators, and ask them to support an
appropriate humanitarian response to this crisis. We are our brothers'
and sisters' keeper, and as a Church, we are asking the United States
government to support such a response, grounded in justice and the
fundamental dignity of every human being. Our Office of Government
Relations is submitting detailed testimony to a United States Senate
hearing today, as that chamber prepares to consider a budget request
from the President. You may read that testimony here, and I encourage you to share it with your own Representative and Senators here."
The Presiding Bishop's statement can be found online here.