Bishop co-signs joint statement on the treatment of migrants

Statement of Arizona Christian Bishops and Denominational Leaders

This statement was signed by denominational leaders with jurisdiction in Arizona, including Bishop Susan, since the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego includes Yuma, Arizona. 

We wish to unite our voices to express our grave concern over America’s failure to update our immigration system and the threat of mistreatment of undocumented persons who are our neighbors and contribute to our communities. While we recognize the lawful right of nations to monitor and control their borders, we also recognize that in many ways our current US immigration laws do not uphold individuals’ rights to a dignified life, family unity, and safety.

As immigration and migration are driven by complex factors, oftentimes resulting in life-or-death situations, the rights of those fleeing disaster, hunger, conflict, violence, or war are urgent and compelling. Therefore, grounded by the demands of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and love of our neighbors—our deeply held religious beliefs—we urge our elected officials and community leaders to stand with us to protect family unity and human dignity by refusing to participate in any deportation efforts which violate these most basic human rights.

Of special concern to us are reported methods of detention and deportation that might include raids on churches, houses of worship, hospitals, schools, and other locations associated with meeting basic human needs. Moreover, the threat of separating children from their parents as a means of punishment or deterrence is exceptionally reprehensible. While the practice of religion is a basic human right recognized by most international organizations, we note that for those living in America, it is part of the very foundation upon which our Nation was built. We find it unacceptable that undocumented persons might be intimidated from going to a church and thereby exercising their right to the practice of religion. We also assert that the disruption of any religious gathering for deportation purposes is equally an assault on our own right to the free exercise of our religion.

We also acknowledge that the stability of our society is under grave threat when undocumented persons are too fearful to seek necessary healthcare for themselves or their children, access basic education, or contact law enforcement when being victimized or observing criminal activity. We stand in solidarity with members of federal agencies, state agencies, and local law enforcement personnel who may choose not to participate in deportation raids deemed unjust by their conscience. In accordance with long-standing humanitarian principles, these conscientious objectors must be respected.

Motivated by the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who urges us to see the image of God in every human being, we urge federal, state, and local personnel tasked with the detention or deportation of undocumented persons to consider how their actions might be seen in the eyes of God. We likewise reiterate the call to our nation’s federal legislature to create an immigration system that is fair, reasonable, and recognizes the human dignity of all persons.

The Right Rev. Barry Beisner

Episcopal Church in Navajoland 

The Most Reverend John Dolan

Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix

Rev. Dr. Jay R. Hartley

Regional Minister and President

Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Arizona

Rev. Dr. Toni Hawkins

Conference Minister. Southwest Conference of the United Church of Christ (UCC)

The Rev. Deborah K. Hutterer

Bishop, Grand Canyon Synod-ELCA

The Rev. Dr. Brad Munroe

Presbytery Pastor

Grand Canyon and de Cristo Presbyteries

Bishop Carlo A. Rapanut

The United Methodist Church

Desert Southwest and New Mexico Conferences

The Right Rev. Jennifer A. Reddall

Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Arizona

The Right Rev. Dr. Susan Brown Snook

Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of San Diego (Including Yuma, AZ)

The Most Reverend Edward J. Weisenburger

Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson