Statement on Family Separation

Dear Faithful People of The Episcopal Church in South Carolina,

I trust you are well aware of the issues playing out regarding the separation of families on our borders.  Not only does this raise significant political questions, but for us as a people of faith in the living God through Christ, it raises deeply theological ones. As followers of Jesus we must be asking how we respond to present policies that tear at the very fabric of what we hold dear in our national soul, yet even more of who we seek to be as a community who has committed to respect the dignity of every human being, and to seek justice and peace among all people. This is a time to ask, what would Jesus do?

I commend to you the materials offered here. I also hope that you are and will be having conversations in your parishes about what a compassionate, faith-filled response might look like for you personally and as a faith community.  May God have mercy on us all.

Faithfully in Christ,

Bishop Skip

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and all your strength…Love your neighbor as yourself.  There is no other commandment greater than these.”  Mark 12:29-31

Please visit the links below:

• Action Alert on Family Separation and Access to Asylum, with steps on how to take action
• June 21 Vigil for Family Unity. The Episcopal Church is hosting this all-day interfaith vigil on Capitol Hill (9 am-9 pm) on the longest day of the year.  People can come to Washington DC or organize local vigils. A Virtual Vigil will be held on social media from 12-1 pm - learn more at this Facebook event link.
• June 20 is World Refugee Day. Watch and share the Presiding Bishop's video message for this day.

More resources for learning, action and sharing with others: 

• Episcopal Migration Ministries website
• Episcopal Public Policy Network's work for World Refugee Day
• Religious Leaders' Joint Statement on Family Separation
• Video from The Episcopal Church on Understanding the Immigration System ​