Episcopal Church Refuses to Resettle White South Africans Citing Racial Justice

Refusal to Resettle White South Africans

• 📌 The Episcopal Church will not participate in resettling white South Africans into the US, citing its commitment to racial justice and reconciliation.
• ⚠️ This decision stems from a directive from the federal government that the church views as problematic.

Concerns with Refugee Resettlement Program

• 💔 The church's migration service has been involved in refugee resettlement for over 40 years but notes the program was effectively shut down in January.
• ⏳ Many refugees who have been waiting for years and are facing persecution have not been admitted.
• 🚀 The church perceives the fast-tracking of white South Africans as a privileging of some individuals over others.

Alignment with Values

• ⚖️ The Episcopal Church questions whether the fast-tracked group truly fits the definition of a refugee.
• 🚫 The church feels the directive conflicts with its core values and that it is being asked to cross a moral line.
• 🤝 The organization has requested to be released from its obligations, believing this is the honorable course of action.