The Episcopal Church parts with the U.S. government over race, refugees, and moral clarity.

A Line Drawn in Sanctuary

Hey Small Biters,

This weekend, moral conviction and federal policy collided. And the fallout is echoing far beyond the walls of any one church.

In a stunning and deeply symbolic decision, the Episcopal Church's migration ministry announced it would end its decades-long partnership with the U.S. federal government. The reason? A refusal to participate in resettling white South African refugees who have been given expedited access to the United States under the Trump administration.

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Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe explained that the decision stems from the Church's unwavering commitment to racial justice and its historical connection to the Anglican Church of Southern Africa—a communion with deep roots in the anti-apartheid movement.

"In light of our church’s steadfast commitment to racial justice," Rowe said, "we are not able to take this step. Accordingly, we have determined that, by the end of the federal fiscal year, we will conclude our refugee resettlement grant agreements with the U.S. federal government."

This decision came just hours before 59 white South Africans arrived in the U.S. on a private chartered flight.