Statement from Bishop Poulson on Supporting Our Immigrant Neighbors

“In the Day of Trouble”: Supporting Our Immigrant Neighbors

Dear Friends in Christ in Oklahoma,

With the tragic events in Minneapolis last week, there have been at least five people who have died in the aftermath of the Trump administration’s escalated immigration enforcement, detention, and deportation activities. Tensions and violence are rising all over our country. Our hearts are heavy, and it feels as if things are spiraling out of control.

I am troubled that the immigration enforcement escalation in recent months seems designed not to remove dangerous criminals, but rather to create maximum cruelty, fear, dehumanization, and family and community disruption. We can and we must do better, as a nation.

In Oklahoma, the intensified ICE efforts in recent months have had direct impact on some of our congregations, with some members stopped, detained, deported or self-deported, and an increased atmosphere of fear, especially among our Latino Episcopalians. Additionally, it has been announced that the closed Diamondback Correctional Facility in Watonga is being re-opened as an ICE detention facility.

Holy Scripture and the Christian tradition support a nation’s right to secure its borders, and maintain an orderly process for immigration. It remains my hope that eventually our governmental leaders will come together for bi-partisan, comprehensive immigration reform that protects the vulnerable, secures our borders, and implements a just, safe, and orderly system for immigration.

At the same time, the Scriptures make plain that every person, without exception, is beloved, made in God’s image (Genesis 1:27), and that we are to respect the dignity of every human being (BCP p. 305). Immigrants and refugees are specifically lifted up in the Bible as those deserving our respect, our concern, and our help.

I want to be clear that immigrants in Oklahoma, whatever your documentation or legal status, are loved and valued as our friends and neighbors. Law enforcement and immigration officers are also children of God, attempting to do their jobs and follow their orders in agonizing, and sometimes dangerous situations.

In this season of particular stress and anxiety, I invite our Episcopalians in Oklahoma to consider several practical, faithful steps:

Pray. Prayer is at the heart of who we are as people of faith, as we share with God the deepest sorrows and joys of our hearts. I encourage us to pray for those affected by all the challenges in our communities and nation, especially the vulnerable. Our Book of Common Prayer has a number of suitable prayers for our national life, and the human family. The Prayers of the People are also an appropriate place in our liturgy to pray for justice and compassion, and also for people by name. If you have particular individuals or families directly affected by these immigration enforcement situations, for example church members being detained or deported, and if they wish to be prayed for by name, please let Susanna LeMasters (slemasters@epiok.org) know and we will share that information as appropriate with the clergy.

Be in contact with your elected officials. People of goodwill, across political differences, can join in urging our elected leaders to seek commonsense and compassionate solutions to this immigration crisis, balancing security and human dignity. Terror, intimidation, profiling, and violence should have no place in immigration enforcement.

Join our group of chaplains who support immigrants and their families. We are building a group of ordained and lay chaplains who can offer pastoral support and accompaniment to those in detention, in immigration proceedings, and their families. To volunteer, reach out to Canon Betsy (canonbetsy@epiok.org).

May our Lord Jesus bless those are living in fear, inspire the faithful to reach out in friendship to our neighbors, and raise up in our leaders compassion and wisdom.

Almighty God, who hast given us this good land for our

heritage: We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove

ourselves a people mindful of thy favor and glad to do thy will.

Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and

pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion;

from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend

our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes

brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue

with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in thy Name we entrust

the authority of government, that there may be justice and

peace at home, and that, through obedience to thy law, we

may show forth thy praise among the nations of the earth.

In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness,

and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail;

all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP p. 820)

Blessings,

Bishop Poulson, VI Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma