Press Statements

September 30, 2020, Washington, DC – The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) laments the increased hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the loss of life in the Nagorno-Karabakh region. As the fighting escalates, NCC opposes this unprovoked surprise attack by Azerbaijan that has brought Armenia into a state of war.

The NCC stands in solidarity with the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, the World Council of Churches, and people of goodwill everywhere in expressing our outrage and deep sadness at this conflict.

We deplore the use of military force by Azerbaijan and the Syrian rebel fighters that are funded and sent by Turkey to assist their assault on the Armenian community. The use of armor, aviation, heavy artillery, and drones suggests a planned operation. It is time that Turkey ends their involvement in the region by stopping their participation in the fight and their encouragement of the war.

We recognize that the fighters from Syria have been displaced from their homes and are desperate to feed their families which may have caused them to be recruited into this destructive conflict.

NCC calls on the United States to undertake diplomatic measures to halt the fighting. We hope and pray that the U.S. Department of State will not be indifferent to this situation. We ask our member churches to immediately convey this message to their elected officials.

We pray according to the Armenian tradition:
“Listen to the cry that rises from every corner of this fragile earth, from our human family torn by violent conflict. It is to You we pray, O loving Lord —today, in the days to come, and always—for the repose of the departed, for the healing of the spiritual and moral afflictions tormenting [us], and for an end to the violence that can only lead to ruin and destruction. [Amen.]” ~ Armenian Church of America

WCC gravely concerned by escalation of conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh region

NCC Demands an End to the Violence on the Azerbaijan-Armenia Border

NCC Urges End of Conflict, Protection of Minorities in Syria

“You must not distort justice…”

Deuteronomy 16:19, NRSV

Washington, DC, September 25, 2020 – Breonna Taylor was murdered on March 13 by police. More than 6 months later, it appears that justice delayed was also justice denied. The National Council of Churches finds the outcome of the investigation into Ms. Taylor’s death, which holds no one directly accountable, unconscionable and unjust. We grieve for her family and loved ones who have borne the burden of fighting for justice for her. We call on all people of faith and conscience to continue the fight for justice and to end systemic racism so that this kind of tragedy never happens again.

The facts of the case are harrowing. Using a faulty “no knock warrant” and improperly executing that warrant police entered Ms. Taylor’s home as she slept. In a matter of minutes, she was shot multiple times. She lay dying, but still breathing, and the same police officers did not render any medical assistance, but instead, issued a report indicating that there were no injuries sustained as a result of their actions. Truly, justice has been distorted.

It is not lost on us that September 23, 2020, was 65 years to the date when the white men who killed Emmett Till were found not guilty by an all-white jury. Daniel Cameron, the Attorney General for the State of Kentucky, declared that the police actions were justified, also rendering them not guilty. A grand jury found that one of three officers involved, Detective Brett Hankison, would be charged with a minor Class D felony of Wanton Endangerment for shots fired in the home of Ms. Taylor’s white neighbors, who were not injured. It is clear that the prosecution of this case by Mr. Cameron, and the resulting grand jury charges, are woefully insufficient.

The handling of this case has been a gross miscarriage of justice from the the execution of the warrant to the police actions on the scene, and the prosecutorial review and processing of the violation of Ms. Taylor’s civil rights and the circumstances of her death. We call for a full independent investigation of the facts. We demand a pattern and practice investigation of the Louisville Metro Police Department. We call on the U.S. Department of Justice to immediately intensify its investigation and include a review to determine the extent to which Ms. Taylor’s civil rights were violated.

Furthermore, we are dismayed that Det. Hankison, charged with actions that could have resulted in the death of a person, was granted bond of only $15,000 while protestors, exercising their First Amendment rights, have been arrested in Louisville and elsewhere are given bonds of up to $1,000,000. We are especially troubled that the Kentucky Attorney General did not even investigate whether Taylor’s civil rights were violated when she was killed. This is a glaring abdication of responsibility and is inexcusable.

The halfhearted response by the legal system in Kentucky to this tragedy is sadly, not surprising. For generations, our country has sought “law and order” at the expense of Black lives. This has created the reality of two systems of law, one for white people and one for everyone else. Blame for this is bi-partisan. Both parties, in all levels and branches of government, have over the past decades repeatedly targeted Black, Indigenous, and People of Color under the guise of being tough on crime. This has resulted in the mass incarceration, legal lynching, and continued oppression of millions of Americans.

Police should use restraint in responding to any nonviolent protests and protect the First Amendment rights of the people of Louisville, and not just the property. Reports that officers in the Louisville Metro Police Department have shared messages with one another describing protestors as thugs and criminals betray bias and a questionable intent. In addition, the police department should not use weapons of war such as tear gas, pepper spray, armored vehicles, and flash bang grenades in response to nonviolent protests. We also condemn the vigilante actions of extremists seeking only to use tragedy to engage in murderous violence as has happened in Kenosha, Austin, and Portland.

We commit to continuing to work toward a system of justice that is applied to all fairly and brings us closer to God’s vision of the Beloved Community. And, we again pray for Breonna Taylor’s loved ones and for her memory to be eternal!

The National Council of Churches mourns the passing of US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. We give thanks for her life and witness, for her eloquence and for the joy she brought to so many lives. We are grateful for her powerful and remarkable advocacy for the equality of all people. We also give thanks for the example of her persistence in overcoming the many obstacles she faced in doing her job, most recently her cancer diagnosis. May her memory be a blessing!

We regret how quickly attention has turned from celebrating Justice Ginsburg and observing an appropriate period of grief to an unseemly push to hastily fill her seat. Our prayers are with her family and loved ones at this time.

They have treated the wound of my people carelessly, saying, “Peace, peace,” when there is no peace. Jeremiah 6:14 (NRSV)

Washington, D.C., August 26, 2020—Another shooting. Another video. More trauma for a community and our nation. It is hard to believe that we are in the position to have to issue another statement on police shootings. Yet, here we are. This past weekend our nation again witnessed Black men being shot by police – one is paralyzed and fighting for his life; the other died.

The National Council of Churches USA (NCC) is again outraged by the shooting of Jacob Blake, III, who was shot by Kenosha, WI, police on Sunday, Aug. 23. Video evidence seems to show clearly that Blake was unarmed and walking away from white police officers when he was shot multiple times in the back at point blank range in front of his three young children. A part of NCC’s extended family, Blake is the grandson of African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Pastor Rev. Jacob Blake, Sr., who served in Evanston, IL at Ebenezer AME Church during the 1960s and 70s and was an activist for fair housing in the affluent Chicago suburb.

In addition, the NCC is further outraged by the killing of Trayford Pellerin by police in Lafayette, LA on Saturday, Aug. 22. Like Mr. Blake, Mr. Pellerin was walking away from police. His family has suggested that a mental health crisis may have prompted calls to 911 about a “disturbance” that ended with Mr. Pellerin being shot and killed.

The news of these tragic events are disheartening and cause us to ask the question, when will it end? We’re weary but not too tired to continue working for change and fighting for justice.

These incidents also highlight the need for police reform and increased de-escalation training. Therefore, we repeat our call for full, transparent, and independent investigations of the conduct of the officers involved in both of these terrible shootings. We repeat our call for the use of body cameras to be used by every sworn officer in the Kenosha Police Department – as well as in police departments across the country—and we urge the Lafayette Police Department to immediately release body camera footage of the incident with Mr. Pellerin. These basic first steps, while not the entire solution, help to provide accountability in horrific situations such as these and reduce the likelihood that they occur in the first place.

Moreover, the case with Mr. Pellerin reinforces the need for communities to have greater investments in mental health services and not to use police as first responders when a mental health professional will be more effective and have a better chance of saving lives.

For these injustices to continue after months of robust protests following the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery as well as too many others, is indicative of how deeply broken our systems are and how much work is yet to be done to end racism, white supremacy and unconscious bias.

We pray for Mr. Blake’s complete physical and emotional healing from the multiple gunshot wounds and the horror of this situation. We pray that his three young children and family as well as the community will heal from the trauma caused by the shooting. We pray for the family and friends of Mr. Pellerin who mourn his unnecessary killing.

And, we pray for our nation to heal and to move swiftly and decisively toward justice. We must end the racism that infests our institutions and perpetuates the myth that Black lives are expendable. Black lives matter.  

Washington, DC – July 18, 2020 – The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) joins the nation and world in mourning the loss of Congressman John Robert Lewis, even as we honor the gift that he was and celebrate a life well-lived. He was not only a 17-term member of Congress but also a civil rights icon and American hero whose life exemplified servant leadership and faithful public witness. He inspired generations with his courage and optimism, and worked tirelessly to steer our nation to live up to its most noble ideals. Indeed, by his many sacrifices and bold activism, Congressman Lewis bent the long arc of the moral universe toward justice.

Rev. Brenda Girton-Mitchell, co-chair of NCC’s Racial Justice Task Force, shared her thoughts on Congressman Lewis’ legacy. “I owe a debt of gratitude to Congressman John Lewis. He gave new meaning to the ways we work for racial justice and his words always energized me to try to do something for the cause of building the beloved community,” she said.

For Congressman Lewis his activism was motivated by his faith: “The civil rights movement was based on faith. Many of us who were participants in this movement saw our involvement as an extension of our faith. We saw ourselves doing the work of the Almighty. Segregation and racial discrimination were not in keeping with our faith, so we had to do something.” And do something he did. Congressman Lewis was arrested more than 40 times and spent his life advocating for civil and human rights for all people. He was one of the first Freedom Riders and encouraged others to get into “good trouble” in the pursuit of justice. In 2016, he even staged a sit-in on the House floor in an effort to force a vote on gun control.

“For some making ‘good trouble’ meant walking across the bridge in the face of horrifying opposition. His life inspired me to become a bridge to help connect people to fight against racism with my body, mind and soul,” said Rev. Girton-Mitchell, who is also the Founder and President of Grace and Race Ministries, Inc., an ecumenical ministry to help foster racial understanding, healing, and reconciliation.

Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer, NCC Governing Board Chair and President and General Minister of the United Church of Christ, said, “A giant and a hero has left us. I mourn his passing, but give thanks for his courageous and exemplary life at the front lines of Justice and celebrate his eternal rest with his beloved Jesus.”

Born to parents who were sharecroppers, Congressman Lewis knew at an early age that segregation was wrong. He was so inspired by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. that he became involved in the Civil Rights Movement. As the chair of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), he was the youngest speaker at the 1963 March on Washington. Congressman Lewis organized and helped lead numerous nonviolent protests, including the march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama for voting rights. During this march, known as “Bloody Sunday,” Congressman Lewis was brutally beaten and had his skull cracked. Not to be deterred, Congressman Lewis and Dr. King planned another march across the bridge. This time they contacted the NCC’s Commission on Religion and Race for help. Numerous NCC clergy and other faith leaders traveled to Selma and walked with Congressman Lewis, Dr. King and many others across that bridge with the world watching.

NCC’s Commission on Race and Religion would strengthen ties with SNCC following the protests in Selma, including helping with voter registration efforts. In 1965, when Congressman Lewis was chair of SNCC, he narrated a film about the NCC’s Delta Ministry in Mississippi. Called, “We Mean to Stay,” the film showcased the work of the ministry, which was initiated as a long-term program of community development for the poor in the state.

NCC President and General Secretary Jim Winkler, said, “John Lewis was a hero of mine. As a trustee of the Faith & Politics Institute I had the opportunity to accompany him on a Congressional Pilgrimage through Alabama and across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma. I saw the respect and affection his Congressional colleagues had for him which was based on his experience in the movement, his ironclad commitment to justice and peace, and his integrity and honor. We will all miss him.” said.

The work for voting rights and for racial justice remain. We will honor Congressman Lewis’ life and legacy by redoubling our efforts to end racism and encourage voter registration and participation while fighting voter suppression in all of its forms. By doing this, we know his life and work will not have been in vain but will have been a catalyst for lasting change in our nation.

“As we question monuments made of concrete and mortar, Congressman Lewis’ life was a living monument to exemplary prophetic witness in the public square. His life was a reflection of what God requires of us from Micah 6:8, ‘do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with God,’” reflected Rev. Aundreia Alexander, NCC’s Associate General Secretary for Action and Advocacy.

“We have lost a great warrior for justice, a kind and gentle soul and humble servant of God,” said Rev. Alexander.

Congressman Lewis’ family, friends, and colleagues remain in our prayers during this difficult time. May his memory be eternal.

The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) celebrates the life and ministry of Rev. Cordy Tindell (C.T.) Vivian, who labored tirelessly to bring justice to our nation. As a civil rights leader and fearless advocate of nonviolence, he embraced the peace teachings of his faith tradition. He continued to advocate for racial justice and peace until his death.

“Rev. C.T. Vivian dedicated his life to justice and peace. He was tireless in his efforts and fierce in his pursuits, while upholding his faith and maintaining his belief in nonviolence. We are forever grateful for how his ministry has positively impacted our lives and nation,” said Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer, NCC Governing Board Chair and General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ.

Rev. Vivian’s earliest involvement in peaceful protests began with sit-ins at restaurants in Peoria, Illinois in the 1940s because they would not serve Black people. He later became an important leader in the Civil Rights Movement, serving as one of the lieutenants for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and organizing protests, developing strategies and otherwise pushing the movement forward. He was one of the first Freedom Riders and his actions challenging the sheriff in Selma, Alabama gained national attention, eventually leading to the marches across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. In this incident, Rev. Vivian was hit in the mouth by the sheriff for speaking out against voter discrimination. After being hit, Rev. Vivian stood up and continued calmly advocating for the right to vote. He was hit so hard that his mouth required 11 stitches before arresting officers took him to jail. The incident was captured on film and widely broadcast on national television bringing attention to the brutality of racial discrimination and injustice in the nation.

According to NCC President and General Secretary Jim Winkler, “Rev. Vivian exemplified the kind of courage we all hope to have when it matters the most. He set a high standard with his insistence on nonviolent direct action that is still relevant today.  His more than 60 years of ministry and advocating for justice has made our world a better place.”

A committed Christian and clergy leader, Rev. Vivian pastored numerous churches while continuing his justice work. He founded an organization in Alabama called VISION which helped low-income students prepare for college. This program would later become Upward Bound and expand into colleges and universities across the country. In addition, Rev. Vivian served as one of the leaders for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference for many years.   

In 2005, Rev. Vivian contacted the National Council of Churches after Hurricane Katrina ravaged the Gulf Coast of the United States. He wanted to start a program called Churches Supporting Churches, where churches devastated by the hurricane in the region would receive help in rebuilding from churches outside of the region. His dedication and organizing abilities helped bring resources and build support for pastors and churches in Louisiana and Mississippi at a critical and vulnerable time for the region.

“I had an opportunity to work with Rev. Vivian when I was one of the staff assigned to NCC’s Special Commission on the Just Rebuilding of the Gulf Coast. It was a joy and a privilege to work with him. He was persistent, compassionate and kind. His dedication to the Churches Supporting Churches effort came through in every meeting and phone call I had with him and his laugh was contagious,” Rev. Dr. Leslie Copeland-Tune, NCC’s Chief Operating Officer, remembered fondly.

Rev. Dr. Tammy Wiens, NCC’s Director of Christian Education, also reflected on her life-changing interactions with Rev. Vivian.

“As a graduate student intern, I vividly remember Rev. Vivian in 1991 when he led a race awareness workshop on the campus of North Carolina State University. A weekend under Rev. Vivian’s leadership set me on a path of discovery and I will always credit him with awakening me to the harsh realities of race, white privilege, and the systemic injustices embedded throughout American society,” said Dr. Wiens.

Because of Rev. Vivian’s steadfast commitment and love for God’s people, our nation is a more just place. We owe him a debt of gratitude. While we are saddened that he is no longer here to offer his wisdom and insights regarding the continued struggle for justice and equality in our nation, we rejoice in our shared belief that Rev. C.T. Vivian, a good and faithful servant, is received into the arms of our loving God.

At this time of loss, our prayers extend to his family and to the many people who loved him. May his memory be eternal.

The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA decries the decision of the Turkish Government to convert the Hagia Sophia from its long-term status as a museum to a mosque.  It was a political decision made just this past Friday, July 10, by Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a decision that was fueled by nationalist zeal that reflects his disregard for religious tolerance, and his cynicism in manipulating the Muslim majority in his country to support him. 

The NCC joins the Orthodox Churches worldwide, the Vatican, the World Council of Churches, the Middle East Council of Churches, and people of goodwill everywhere in lamenting this turn of events.  The NCC also joins the Islamic Society of North America, one of our Muslim-Christian dialogue partners, in condemning the action as a threat to global Muslim-Christian relations that both communities have nurtured over the last decades in the US and around the world.

The Hagia Sophia, built in the 6^th century AD, and the center of world Christianity for nearly 1,000 years, remained a symbol of Christianity after the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople (1453) for the next 500 years, and this even though it was used as a mosque during that period.  A Byzantine wonder in terms of architecture and art, in 1934, the Turkish government, by now secular, converted the building to a museum to reflect its shared civilizational legacy.  We therefore urge President Erdogan to reverse his decision.   

While we lament this decision, it is not lost on the NCC that this action coincides on the same weekend, July 11-13, with the world’s commemoration of the 25^th anniversary of the Genocide committed against Muslims in Bosnia.  What occurred in Srebrenica in 1995, when some of our own faithful were likewise compromised by political leaders through nationalistic fervor to commit one of the most horrific atrocities of the 20^th century, is forever imprinted on the Christian conscience.

Taken together, these two events recall historic tensions between peoples, tensions that are overcome only through dialogue.  It is our prayer that the healing of memory take place, and that such tensions are no longer inflamed through political, nationalistic – and senseless – actions. 

Related Links:

WCC – https://www.oikoumene.org/en/press-centre/news/wcc-letter-to-president-erdogan-to-keep-hagia-sophia-as-the-shared-heritage-of-humanity

MECC – https://www.mecc.org/mecc/2020/7/11/the-middle-east-council-of-churches-the-turkish-governments-decision-to-convert-the-hagia-sofia-church-into-a-mosque-is-violation-of-religious-freedom-and-coexistence

Vatican – https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2020-07/angelus-pope-remembers-seafarers.html

Orthodox Churches – https://www.ecupatria.org/2020/06/30/ecumenical-patriarch-bartholomew-about-hagia-sophia/

Archbishop of Albania on Hagia Sophia: This decision turns us back to dark times

Patriarch of Alexandria: Turkey adds a big thorn in the peaceful coexistence of religions

They have treated the wound of my people carelessly,

saying, “Peace, peace,”

when there is no peace.

-Jeremiah 6:14, New Revised Standard Version

Washington, DC – June 3, 2020 – The United States is in crisis. Racism has again driven people to the streets to demand an end to the destructive and deadly consequences of racial hatred, white supremacy and unconscious bias. As we consider events of the last few months, we know that our nation is in desperate need of healing, hope and justice for the senseless deaths of unarmed Black people at the hands of law enforcement and their surrogates.

In the wake of the murders of George Floyd in Minneapolis, MN, Breonna Taylor in Louisville, KY, and Ahmaud Arbery near Brunswick, GA, as well as countless others that have not made the news; the National Council of Churches USA calls upon all people of faith to turn to the task of ending racism with increased fervor and commitment before more lives, and the soul of the nation, are lost.

It does not escape our attention that this crisis of racism intensifies just as we face another crisis, the coronavirus global pandemic, that has infected millions and taken the lives of more than 105,000 Americans, and over 375,000 people worldwide. This pandemic has amplified disparities already integrated into American systems, particularly health care, education and the economy.

As protesters march through cities across the country, we pray that change is on the horizon. We recognize that non-violent protests have led to many of the changes in our nation that we celebrate today. We also acknowledge that a convergence of stressors, bad actors, and other factors have led to demonstrations becoming disorderly and unsafe, further escalating tensions. We urge all protesters to persist in their efforts for non-violent demonstrations to ensure the safety and well-being of all who are lifting their voices to stand for justice.

Additionally, the NCC must join the outcry by our member denominations for the troubling display in the nation’s capital on June 1. It can never be acceptable for the military to be deployed at the order of the U.S. Attorney General against peaceful protesters to violently move them out of the way using tear gas, rubber bullets and other weaponry in order for any elected official, much less the U.S. President, to take a blasphemous photo-op with a bible in front of a church. This was spiritual manipulation and a disgraceful mockery of our sacred text on sacred ground.

At times like these, society looks to public officials to lead, console and unite. Instead, today we see and hear from some government leaders only what leads to hostility and more division. Rather than calm tensions, they seem to be provoking them. But, the church is not closed, absent or silent. We ask church leaders to fill in the gaps of leadership that our nation is now experiencing. We know what it means for the brokenhearted to be healed, for those who mourn to be comforted and for those who are bound to be set free. This is a moment for us as the Church to stand as witnesses—to be light and salt to our country and the world. And, we urge Christian leaders throughout our nation to stand in the gap in leadership, to be available to those who are hurting and to be diligent in pursuing peace, advocating for justice, and helping to heal our nation.

For more information on the NCC’s A.C.T. Now! to End Racism initiative and to access a list of resources, click here.