Declaración de Solidaridad con Puerto Rico

“El ayuno que a mí me agrada es que liberen a los presos encadenados injustamente, es que liberen a los esclavos, es que dejen en libertad a los maltratados y que acaben con toda injusticia; es que compartan el pan con los que tienen hambre, es que den refugio a los pobres, vistan a los que no tienen ropa, y ayuden a los demás. Isaías 58: 6-7 TLA 

 El viernes 2 de agosto, Ricardo Rosselló renunció oficialmente como gobernador de Puerto Rico después de quince días de protestas masivas. Las protestas comenzaron después de que el Centro de Periodismo Investigativo publicara casi 900 páginas de mensajes despectivos, groseros y vulgares enviados por Rosselló a través de la aplicación de mensajería Telegram a sus "hermanos" miembros actuales y anteriores de su gabinete. Además de generar algunas partes desagradables de la conversación, Rosselló toleró las expresiones de sus "hermanos" sin comentar lo contrario. 

La membresía de la Iglesia Presbiteriana (EE. UU.) y la Oficina de Testimonio Público condenan enérgicamente cualquier retórica, en cualquier lugar, que se utilice para apoyar la opresión sistemática de las personas y construir comunidades de odio e intolerancia, especialmente cuando se trata de funcionarios en posiciones de poder político e influencia. Aplaudimos el rol que desempeñaron las personas de fe, especialmente los presbiterianos que hablaron exigiendo un nuevo liderazgo político que sea decente, competente y visionario. Mientras miles exigían la renuncia del gobernador, las voces del pueblo presbiteriano estaban presentes. El liderazgo de las congregaciones presbiterianas, así como de los tres presbiterios y el sínodo de Puerto Rico, tomaron medidas contra la administración de Rosselló al emitir declaraciones públicas en las que se denunciaba la corrupción y el discurso de odio del gobernador. El pueblo presbiteriano salio a las calles exigiendo justicia y participaron en la manifestación más grande de Puerto Rico en la historia reciente. 

Eric LeCompte escribió en la revista The National Catholic Reporter (27 de julio) que “desde el 2015, mi mayor y profesional privilegio ha sido trabajar con líderes religiosos en Puerto Rico que exigen una economía que sirva a todas las personas de la isla […] Nuestro Jubileo interreligioso de los EE. UU. La coalición, la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de los EE. UU., los líderes judíos, las caridades católicas y las iglesias episcopales, luteranas, presbiterianas, metodistas y de la Iglesia Unida de Cristo caminaron con los líderes religiosos de Puerto Rico [...] Hay mucho más por hacer, pero mucho de lo que se logró es gracias al liderazgo de varios de los líderes religiosos en la isla ". 

La Iglesia Presbiteriana (EE. UU.) se solidariza con el pueblo presbiteriano en Puerto Rico a medida que van hacia adelante. Oramos para que la nueva administración establezca un gobierno que sea transparente y honesto, trabaje hacia la eliminación de la deuda de Puerto Rico y ayude a las personas que aún luchan por recuperarse de la destrucción masiva de los huracanes Irma y María en el 2017. 

La Iglesia Presbiteriana (EE. UU.) está "llamada a levantar una voz profética contra el genocidio económico sistemático, la opresión y el colonialismo del gobierno de los EE. UU. contra Puerto Rico y sus residentes". Puerto Rico ha estado oprimido durante más de 120 años bajo un ejemplo de libro de texto de la opresión del colonialismo moderno dirigida por el gobierno de los Estados Unidos. Nosotros, fieles siervos del Señor, estamos llamados a detener esa opresión. Oramos para que el gobierno federal de los Estados Unidos ponga fin a la carga tributaria injustificada impuesta a Puerto Rico, derogue las disposiciones de la Ley Jones que limitan las importaciones de Puerto Rico y han obstaculizado su recuperación de los huracanes del 2017, y trate al pueblo puertorriqueño de manera justa como ciudadanos de los Estados Unidos, más que como ciudadanos de segunda clase. 

Dios ha bendecido a la Iglesia para que sea una fuerza guía y una fuente de fortaleza para la comunidad puertorriqueña. Oramos para que nuestros hermanos y hermanas en Puerto Rico se mantengan fuertes y no se desanimen en su lucha por la justicia. 

En la Fe que Compartimos, 

Rev. Jimmie Hawkins

Statement in Solidarity with Puerto Rico

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?”  

-Isaiah 58: 6-7, NIV

On Friday, August 2nd, Ricardo Rosselló officially resigned as Puerto Rico’s governor amid fifteen days of mass protests. The protests began after el Centro de Periodismo Investigativo released nearly 900 pages of derogatory, crude, and vulgar messages sent by Rosselló and his “hermanos”, current and former members of his cabinet, through the messaging app Telegram. As well as generating some of the objectionable portions of the chat, Rosselló tolerated his “hermanos” expressions without comment to the contrary.

Members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the Office of Public Witness strongly condemn any rhetoric, anywhere, that is used to support the systematic oppression of people and build communities of hate and intolerance, especially when it comes from officials in positions of political power and influence. We applaud the role that people of faith played, especially the Presbyterians who spoke out demanding new political leadership that is decent, competent and visionary. As thousands demanded the governor’s resignation, the voices of Presbyterians were present. Individual Presbyterian church leaders, as well as Puerto Rico’s three presbyteries and synod, took action against Rosselló’s administration by releasing public statements decrying the governor’s corruption and hateful speech. Presbyterians took to the streets demanding justice and participated in Puerto Rico’s largest demonstration in recent history.

Eric LeCompte wrote in The National Catholic Reporter (July 27) that “since 2015, my greatest and professional privilege has been working with faith leaders in Puerto Rico who call for an economy that serves all of the island’s people […] Our interfaith Jubilee USA coalition, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Jewish leaders, Catholic Charities, and the Episcopal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Methodist and United Church of Christ churches walked with Puerto Rico's religious leaders […] There is much more to be done, but much of what was achieved is because of the leadership of several of the island's religious leaders.”

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) stands in solidarity with Presbyterians in Puerto Rico as they move forward. We pray that the new administration will establish a government that is transparent and honest, works towards the elimination of Puerto Rico’s debt, and assists individuals still struggling to recover from the massive destruction of Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017.

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is “called to raise a prophetic voice against the systematic economic genocide, oppression, and colonialism of the U.S. Government against Puerto Rico and its residents.” Puerto Rico has been oppressed for more than 120 years under a textbook example of modern colonialism oppression directed by the U.S. Government. We, as faithful servants of the Lord, are called to stop such oppression. We pray that the United States federal government will end the unjustified tax burden imposed on Puerto Rico, repeal the provisions of the Jones Act that limit Puerto Rico’s imports and have hindered Puerto Rico’s recovery from the 2017 hurricanes, and treat all Puerto Ricans fairly as citizens of the United States, rather than as second-class citizens.

God has blessed the Church to be a guiding force and source of strength for the Puerto Rican community. It is our prayer that nuestros hermanos y hermanas puertorriqueños will remain strong and will not be discouraged in their fight for justice, and to know that we stand with them!

In the Faith We Share,

En la Fe que Compartimos,

Rev. Jimmie Hawkins

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Joins 30 National Faith-Based Organizations Calling for More Humane Policies Towards Immigrants and Refugees

August 1, 2019 

U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee
U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee
U.S. House and Senate Leadership

Dear Members of Congress, 

We write to you from across different faith traditions and faith-based organizations to urge you to prioritize non-defense discretionary funding for programs that address true human needs while reducing the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) budget for deportation, detention, and border militarization. 

Congress just approved a budget deal that raises the spending caps for non-defense discretionary spending. In the coming weeks, Congress will choose how much money each federal department and program will receive. Many of these departments oversee critical responsibilities ranging from anti-hunger and housing programs, to green infrastructure, education, and humanitarian assistance. As you determine funding levels for fiscal year 2020, we urge Congress to ensure all non-defense discretionary increases which resulted from the budget caps deal are invested in crucial programs that help every person realize their full God-given potential.

We believe that our nation’s budget and the decisions made by Congress should be treated as a moral roadmap toward a world where every child of God is clothed, fed, safe, loved, and free. As people of faith, our various traditions command us to love our neighbors and welcome guests as we would welcome God. 

It is with these values in mind that we raise our concern and objection to the ever-increasing funding provided by Congress to DHS for immigrant detention and border militarization. Faith communities have long stood against increased incarceration in favor of community-based alternatives to detention, mitigation of the root causes of forced migration, and meaningful reforms that would reunite families permanently and allow our communities to flourish. We stand strong in our belief that more money for enforcement will only serve to exacerbate the plight of refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants, as we have seen unfold over the past few months at our southern border. As Congress determines allocation of non-defense discretionary increases, we faithfully urge you to decrease spending for detention, deportation and border militarization. 

We urge Congress not to conflate enforcement funding with programs that provide relief and support to communities.Congress should instead carefully consider ways to invest in true humanitarian solutions. A pre-existing network of non-governmental organizations and faith communities are already engaged in reuniting families, providing legal support to people going to immigration court, and providing shelter for people in need. Investing in this community-based model is far less costly and more humane than incarcerating every immigrant. 

Moreover, amid the finite funding increase for non-defense discretionary funding, there are myriad programs that need critical investment including education, nutrition assistance, housing assistance, development, and re-entry programs. Only one in six eligible children receive child care assistance, and only one in five low-income families with children are able to secure rental subsidies. We urge you to invest in human needs priorities, not detention and deportation. We ask that Congress stop squandering funds for inhumane use in detention, enforcement and border militarization, which comes as the direct expense of other programs including government responsibilities within DHS outside of the realm of immigration enforcement. 

Our nation is only as strong as the communities’ in which we invest. Please prioritize funding true human needs over detention and deportation and reduce the overall budget of the Department of Homeland Security accordingly. 


In faith,


African American Ministers In Action 

Alliance of Baptists

American Baptist Home Mission Societies 

American Friends Service Committee 

Bend the Arc Jewish Action 

Bread for the World
 
Bridges Faith Initiative

Christian Community Development Association 

Christian Reformed Church Office of Social Justice 

Church World Service 

Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach 

Conference of Major Superiors of Men 

Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd, US Provinces 

Daughters of Charity, USA

Disciples Center for Public Witness 

Disciples Refugee & Immigration Ministries 

Faith in Public Life

Franciscan Action Network

Friends Committee on National Legislation

Leadership Conference of Women Religious

Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns

Mennonite Central Committee U.S. Washington Office 

National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd

National Council of Churches

National Council of Jewish Women

NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice 

Presbyterian Church (USA) 

Sisters of Mercy – Institute Justice Team 

Sojourners

T'ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights 

Union of Reform Judaism 

Unitarian Universalist Association

Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice 

United Church of Christ, Justice and Witness Ministries

Rev. Hawkins Speaks out on the Senate Health Care Bill

On yesterday, the Senate released its version of the Affordable Care Act replacement, which was prepared behind closed doors by just 13 Senators. It is called the Better Care Reconciliation Act, patterned after the House American Health Care Act. This is a greatly flawed bill rushed with the intent of getting it passed before there is a thorough examination of its contents.  Like the House bill which passed in May, the Senate version would take this nation back to the horrors before the Affordable Care Act. It would create enormous tax breaks for the wealthy, roll back Medicaid expansion in 31 states, block Planned Parenthood funding for one year, remove the requirement for Medicaid to coverage for mental health care, and end the coverage mandate for both individuals and employers. We can expect that passage of this bill would result in loss of healthcare coverage for millions of people.

This is a hard-hearted effort on the part of the Republican leadership to take control of the health care conversation and determine policy. It is an attempt to take the name of President Obama from healthcare reform and claim for themselves that legacy. But therein they will create for themselves a legacy of doing more harm than good. They will reduce greatly the number of people who have health coverage and give the power of life and death back to the insurance companies.

Senator Chuck Schumer said that this bill is “a wolf in sheep’s clothing with sharper teeth than the House bill. This bill will result in higher costs, less care and millions of Americans will lose their health insurance, particularly through Medicaid.”

Is this who we are as a nation? Have we been reduced to a country wherein the vast majority of our citizens are barely making it off of the scraps of the wealthy and politically powerful? Do we not have any compassion left for the unemployed poor, the working poor, the devastated poor? It is not as if we don’t have the means or the ability to strengthen the Affordable Care Act: it is simply that we don’t have the will.

Members of ADAPT staged a sit-in at Senator Mitch McConnell’s office yesterday to protest the Senate bill, after it was clear that politicians were not going to listen to the hundreds of thousands of people who have written letters, made calls and met with legislators to ask that their healthcare be protected. This group of people with disabilities, many of whom use wheelchairs, let their voices be heard loud and clear challenging this bill which will permanently damage lives. We respect the risk they took, and seek to follow the leadership of those who will be most greatly impacted by the loss of healthcare. ADAPT organizer Bruce Darling said that the Republican bill will "greatly reduce access to medical care and home and community based service for elderly and disabled Americans who will either die or be forced into institutions. Our lives and liberty shouldn't be stolen to give a tax break to the wealthy. That's truly un-American."

As Presbyterians we have always cared for others. The 218^th General Assembly re-affirmed:

“Jesus Christ, who has reconciled us to God, healed all kinds of sickness (Mt. 4:23, par) as a sign of God’s rule. Isaiah speaks God’s word to say “No more shall there be … an infant that lives but a few days, or an old person who does not live out a lifetime” (Isa. 65:20a).  We, as Reformed Christians, bear witness to Jesus Christ in word, but also in deed.

As followers of our Great Physician Jesus, we have a moral imperative to work to assure that everyone has full access to health care.”

It is time that we take that concern to a higher level of involvement and action. The prophetic voice of the church, both collectively and individually, must be lifted high to oppose this bill. We must let our members of Congress know who outraged we are by this action. It is not too late. There is still a process which must be followed before it becomes law. Organize a letter writing campaign in your church, ask tough questions at your member’s town hall meeting, encourage your pastor to speak out, challenge your Session to overture your presbytery to make a statement. But first and foremost, begin and end with a prayer for the intervention of God’s Holy Spirit to soften the hearts to soften with compassion for the “least of these our brothers and sisters.”

Call your Senators, especially in key states where they are undecided:

Senator Alexander (TN): (202) 224-4944
· Senator Boozman (AR): (202) 224-4843
· Senator Capito (WV): (202) 224-6472
· Senator Collins (ME): (202) 224-2523
· Senator Corker (TN): (202) 224-3344
· Senator Cotton (AR): (202) 224-2353
· Senator Daines (MT): (202) 224-2651
· Senator Flake (AZ): (202) 224-4521
· Senator Toomey (PA): (202) 224-4254
· Senator Gardner (CO): (202) 224-5941
· Senator Portman (OH): (202) 224-3353
· Senator Heller (NV): (202) 228-6753
· Senator Cassidy (LA): (202) 224-5824
· Senator Murkowski (AK): (202) 224-5824

Mourning Souls Lost to the Violence of White Supremacy

In the past few days, we’ve received devastating news that Nabra Hassanen, a 17 year old on her way back from mosque was beaten to death and left in a pond, that Charleena Lyles, a pregnant mother of four was killed by police after calling them for help, and that our legal system once again failed to deliver justice in the acquittal of Jeronimo Yanez for the murder of Philando Castile. For those (especially people of color) feeling  rage, despair, fear, and in mourning, we are with you.  We say their names so that they might never be forgotten. 

The thread that ties each of these horrific acts of violence together is as old at our nation itself; the dehumanization and devaluation of Black and Brown people. The need to uproot white supremacy in our culture, institutions, and indeed within ourselves has never been more clear. Yet in these difficult political times, the creation of policy that might ease the threats of white supremacy seems increasingly out of reach.  

However, that does not absolve us, as a predominantly white denomination, to act:

Because of our biblical understanding of who God is and what God intends for humanity, the PC(USA) must stand against, speak against, and work against racism. Antiracist effort is not optional for Christians. It is an essential aspect of Christian discipleship, without which we fail to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ. (Facing Racism: A Vision of the Intercultural Community Churchwide Antiracism Policy. Approved by the 222^nd General Assembly (2016), PC(USA).)

White supremacy is insidious in that is seeps into our psyche and into our most private thoughts. The assumption it produces is that people of color must have done something bad when they become victims of violence: that Philando shouldn’t have reached for his wallet, that Charleena was a threat even when she was well known to officers and had never before tried to harm them, that Nabra said something to provoke the driver who eventually ended her life. The questions we should be asking are “are we satisfied with a world where a broken tail light can get you killed?” “why didn’t Ms. Lyles have access to the mental health care she needed?” “what kind of world have we created when children coming home from prayer need be vigilant?” 

As we confront white supremacy and the systems it creates, other questions come to mind. Questions that help us name and remember, and assess our own commitments. Questions such as:

What provokes outrage and sorrow?

For whom do we grieve? 

Who will be remembered and how? 

How can our local congregations combat the systemic evils which claim innocent lives?

How can we hold accountable those in power who abuse their authority through neglect and abuse?

What are appropriate ways we can grieve with families in the midst of such tragic circumstances?

What are fitting memorials so that we can work to prevent future horrors?

As the beneficiaries of unearned privileges wrought by white supremacy, it is incumbent on white people to do the work of interrupting racism. We ask white readers of this piece to contribute to our collective memory by memorializing these souls in some way this week; include their names and circumstances in your prayers individually and in your corporate worship services, begin the anti racism study and action group your congregation has been considering, reach out to local organizations who are working to dismantle white supremacy and offer talent and treasure, as individuals and as a congregation make the Dear White Christian (http://auburnseminary.org/dear-white-christians/) pledge offered by Auburn Seminary and implement the commitments it suggests.

PC(USA) Resources on Race and Racism:

·      Facing Racism: A Vision of the Intercultural Community https://www.pcusa.org/site_media/media/uploads/racialjustice/new_2016_antiracism_policy.pdf

·      The Facing-Racism Web site provides PC(USA) resources including policies, study guides, information about training opportunities and more http://facing-racism.pcusa.org/

·      The Engaging Belhar Web site provides resources related to the Confession of Belhar

http://oga.pcusa.org/section/mid-council-ministries/constitutional-services/belhar/

As we follow Jesus in our efforts to challenge white supremacy and establish equity, we commit that:

In our affirmation that God loves difference, we will honor diversity as a good in which God delights. In our conviction that God desires justice, we will learn from others to broaden our understanding of equality. In our humility as sinful people, we will listen openly to diverse voices regarding how racism functions in our society. In our gratitude for God’s grace, we will turn again and again towards the vision of whole community found in the Word of God. In our joyous response to God’s love, we will love one another. (Facing Racism: A Vision of the Intercultural Community Churchwide Antiracism Policy. Approved by the 222^nd General Assembly (2016), PC(USA).)

We hold you in prayer in all your work to dismantle white supremacy and establish equity as you follow Jesus who lived and taught of God’s love.