(Mennonite Church USA) — Earlier this month, MC USA’s Executive Director Glen Guyton signed on to an ecumenical, interfaith statement condemning government separation of immigrant families.
Read the statement in its entirety below:
“Recently, the U.S. 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 well-being 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 well-being 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.”
Signed by:
His Eminence Archbishop Vicken Aykazian
Diocesan Legate and
Director of the Ecumenical Office
Diocese of the Armenian Church of AmericaMr. Azhar Azeez
President
Islamic Society of North AmericaThe Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera
Bishop of Scranton, PA
Chair, Bishops’ Committee for Ecumenical and Interreligious AffairsSenior Bishop George E. Battle, Jr.
Presiding Prelate, Piedmont Episcopal District
African Methodist Episcopal Zion ChurchBishop Kenneth H. Carter, Jr.
President, Council of Bishops
The United Methodist ChurchThe Most Rev. Michael B. Curry
Presiding Bishop
Episcopal Church (United States)The Rev. Dr. John C. Dorhauer
General Minister & President
United Church of ChristThe Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in AmericaThe Rev. David Guthrie
President, Provincial Elders’ Conference
Moravian Church Southern ProvinceMr. Glen Guyton
Executive Director
Mennonite Church USAThe Rev. Teresa Hord Owens
General Minister and President
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)Rabbi Rick Jacobs
President
Union for Reform JudaismMr. Anwar Khan
President
Islamic Relief USAThe Rev. Dr. Betsy Miller
President, Provincial Elders’ Conference
Moravian Church Northern ProvinceThe Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson II
Stated Clerk
Presbyterian Church (USA)Rabbi Jonah Pesner
Director
Religious Action Center of Reform JudaismThe Rev. Don Poest
Interim General Secretary
The Rev. Eddy Alemán
Candidate for General Secretary
Reformed Church in AmericaSenior Bishop Lawrence Reddick III
Presiding Bishop, The 8th Episcopal District
Christian Methodist Episcopal ChurchThe Rev. Phil Tom
Executive Director
International Council of Community ChurchesSenior Bishop McKinley Young
Presiding Prelate, Third Episcopal District
African Methodist Episcopal Church