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As an Episcopalian in the United States and a Warden and Lay Minister in service at an Episcopal Church within the Diocese of Connecticut, I was and am still appalled at Bishop Sean Rowe, the presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church of the United States. His decision to refuse to resettle the South African refugees brought in by President Trump recently and his further decision to end the ministry altogether of the EMM is beyond the definition of un-Christian behavior and reprehensible for the leader of the Episcopal Church in the United States. I know many Episcopalians agree with me, though some may not be as vocal and have begrudgingly accepted his reasons as explained and disseminated for all to read across the dioceses of the states.I penned a letter to Bishop Rowe some days ago, prior to the Oval Office meeting with President Trump and President Ramaphosa whereby our President confronted the South African president regarding these issues of racism against white farmers in his country. A brilliant way to make light of the news largely censored in our country regarding this clear display of racism in South Africa that led to the order to allow refugees to come here to seek asylum in the United States.
Trump just played a compilation of South African leaders calling to kiII White people and steal their land in front of the President of South Africa’s face pic.twitter.com/7z27LYh9ov
— Philoe Beddoe (@beddoe_philoe) May 21, 2025
Of course there is history here regarding the decades long “Apartheid” in South Africa whereby Blacks were segregated and discriminated against which is also unjust. However, even Nelson Mandela, who was a victim of racism, said that it should never be considered just to take revenge via racist action in the same way as apartheid did to the black Africans. Racism is never right, no matter whom it victimizes. This we know as the word of God which is, and will always be the final say on what is right above all else.
This is a copy of the letter I penned and mailed to Bishop Rowe. I am happy to share it in this article for all who have interest in this subject. I decided to let it become and “open letter” first presenting it here, and please feel free to share it widely, as the message needs to be shared.
I do not fear reprisal or fear being ostracized within the Episcopal network, rather I feel vindicated in speaking the words that Christ would have me speak as an advocate for Him on this earth.
Your Eminence Bishop Rowe:
I am truly ashamed at both the actions and the letter of explanation from you Bishop Sean Rowe regarding the EMM’s reasoning and refusal to resettle refugees from South Africa. President Trump extended an “offer” of unity by asking that the Episcopal Church’s migration ministry be the leader in the effort to resettle the refugees from South Africa granted asylum in our country due to persecution in South Africa on the basis of their race.
This decision you, Bishop Rowe, made is nothing more than a political decision, which certainly has no spiritual merit whatsoever. As a Christian, I am aghast at the open hypocrisy and the attempt to defend it, by openly fomenting racism, while proclaiming the mission of “racial justice” the Church claims to support. I was not aware that “racial justice” meant justice for some and discrimination toward others based on a slanted political agenda. This open hypocrisy and any attempt to justify it should be deemed absurd on its face and indefensible, based on the teachings of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Racial justice is not about the fight to end racism for one people by supporting discrimination and racism against another people; that thinking defies the known belief that we are all “children of God”.
Today’s Episcopal Church leaders have made an abomination of the Faith. Today’s Episcopal Church leaders have turned the Church into a political organization. There is little left of spiritual teaching or effort to the mission made clear in the Book of Common Prayer “to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ”. Instead, the leaders of the Episcopal Church and you yourself Bishop Rowe are in heresy. You are leading a group that seeks to divide, not unify. You have devalued the words of Jesus Christ in futile attempts to justify a radical turn from the worship of God to the worship of politics, power, and money.
The Church is losing followers because it is no longer “shepherding a flock of Christians” but rather abandoning that obligation in order to follow the trends of a political agenda. A political agenda set on the rejection and destruction of doctrine in order to support an atheist cult of social revolution. You are leading an Episcopal Church that no longer values the commandment to “love one another as I have loved you” but rather attempts to rationalize a new world order that is unrecognizable to the traditional teachings of the Faith, which have clearly been abandoned in a radical and irretrievable way.
Hatred seems to be the new “man made” commandment you’ve asked us to follow. Hatred of a President that you deem unworthy (who are you to judge that?); hatred of Episcopal parishes and parishioners that wish to remain in tradition and preach spirituality not politics (which you and leaders now also judge us by). Hatred of refugees who happen to be white and not from the desired areas and of the desired skin color that you and the leaders wish to help; so un-Christian, truly.
Racism comes in all colors. Hypocrites wear robes too. Good Christians do not hate those who they may find contempt with over political belief, but rather seek to educate them and all to follow Jesus. What would Jesus say in this moment? That is the question that should be pondered as we face this monumental moment of the loss of Faith at the hands of you yourself, Bishop Rowe and all those placed in the position of power to teach it, lead us in it, and defend it here in our temporary earthly home.
It is unfortunate that in this moment the sheep are on their own as the leaders have strayed far from virtue. Many of the sheep are leaving the Church willingly due to the overwhelming err that is leadership. Please believe me when I tell you they are not leaving the Faith as you fail to lead them. They are rather growing in Faith by leading themselves away from this heresy you have embraced while abandoning the faithful Christians you purport to lead. The faithful are rather choosing to follow the Lord not the weak and cowardly men/women such as you, who have clearly abandoned them and the truth of the Faith they wish to follow.
The choice you have made will come to haunt you and further devastate the membership of the Episcopal Church of the United States. Your attempt to justify the indefensible is a poignant example of how far gone those leading the Church have strayed from the Faith and the faithful members that once were proud members of the Episcopal Church.
Respectfully yours,
Liz Conti
Well stated.
Congregations will continue to lose followers becoming disenchanted due to their "leaders" hypocritical denial of refuge to those in suffering while ignoring the murderous sins of others.