Statements

The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA views with the greatest alarm and concern the news that the Department of National Defense (DND) of the Philippine Government has listed the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) as a “front organization of local communist terrorist groups.” This outrageous and unacceptable targeting of the NCCP is reminiscent of the repression during the darkest years of the Marcos dictatorship.

The churches and church members in the NCCP are our brothers and sisters in Christ and their ministry is to witness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and assist those most in need in Philippine society. The NCCP has been involved for decades in trailblazing work on human rights, migration, women’s empowerment, HIV and AIDS awareness and prevention, and children’s ministry including the protection of children against online sexual exploitation and trafficking. 

The inclusion by the government of President Rodrigo Duterte on the list of communist terrorist groups represents a clear threat posed to the NCCP member churches, associate members, ecumenical partners, and staff. 

During the three and a half years of President Duterte’s lawless regime, more than 10,000 people have been murdered in this so-called ‘war on drugs.’ A culture of impunity now exists and intolerance of dissent by the government is increasing. By “red-tagging” the NCCP, the Duterte regime diminishes an already limited civil space, weakens the ability of the Council to fulfill its humanitarian mission, and puts staff and even member churches and ecumenical partners in danger.

The Duterte regime has a long record of human rights abuses, and in recent weeks has vilified civil society organizations and has targeted them with attacks and illegal arrests.  

The NCCP, like ecumenical organizations around the world, carries out the work of the church by advocating for the “least of these (Matt. 25).” We stand by our NCCP sisters and brothers and pledge to remain vigilant on behalf of their safety and security and to raise our voices on their behalf with President Duterte and with the United States government.   

“Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.”

–Ephesians 5:11 NRSV

“I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”
Matthew 25:35 NRSV

An alarming and dangerous precedent is being set by the administration as it allows states and localities to refuse to accept refugees. This promises to harm our national unity and encourage callousness. It tears at the moral fabric of our nation and calls into question our founding principles.

The news that the Trump administration will further limit refugee arrivals to the United States in 2020 is heartbreaking and cruel. The National Council of Churches and its member churches, along with agencies including Church World Service, have assisted refugee resettlement in this nation for many years. We do so out of our Christian convictions, because of biblical mandates, because many of our people are refugees and immigrants, and because it is the ethos of the United States to welcome the tired, the hungry, and those who yearn to breathe freely.

We urge the president to reverse course and we beg Congress to stop this malicious act from being implemented.

The National Council of Churches joins with the American Baptist Churches USA, one of its member communions, in expressing deep concern for the safety of two Baptist pastors from Myanmar, the Rev. Dr. Hkalam Samson, former General Secretary and currently President of the Kachin Baptist Convention, and Pastor Lanjaw Gam Seng.

Both of these clergy, our brothers in Christ, attended the recent Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom hosted by the U.S. State Department. Rev. Samson now faces legal action brought against him by Lt. Col. Than Htike of the Northern Command. We decry this move meant to intimidate and silence dissent by people of faith across Myanmar. While charges have not been brought against Pastor Seng at this time, there are also concerns about his safety since he attended the meeting with Rev. Samson at the State Department.

We recognize the right to speak against violence as a matter of basic morality and Christian faith. The action taken against Rev. Samson is deeply concerning, and we stand with the American Baptist Churches USA, the Kachin Baptist Convention, and all who strive to live out a faith that seeks justice for all, especially for the most vulnerable.

We urge the government of Myanmar to drop the charges against Rev. Samson and restore these pastors to their rightful place in a democratic society. It is the duty of people of faith to speak out against injustice and to seek the good of all people.

The news that two massacres took place this past weekend, one in El Paso, TX and the other in Dayton, OH, in which 29 people lost their lives within a span of 13 hours leave us numb, horrified, and in grief. These, the latest of 251 mass shootings this year, are clearly acts of domestic terrorism.  Once again, the National Council of Churches lifts its voice in prayer for those who have been directly affected by the shootings and, indeed, for the soul of our entire nation. Once again, we commit ourselves to supporting measures that will reduce and prevent gun violence.

How long O Lord, must we endure this violence?

We are deeply discouraged by the awareness of the near certainty that our elected officials will not respond in any meaningful way to this violence, for they are collectively and shamefully within the captivity of the gun lobby. Our elected leaders are guilty of negligence and cowardice. 

Incendiary language from leaders also must be boldly and consistently condemned and countered. Racist, inflammatory rhetoric must be replaced by words and deeds that create beloved communities, ones that embrace ethnic, racial, and religious diversity.  These are the values we wish to see in a vibrant, inclusive America.

The combination of readily available weapons of mass destruction and a toxic white racist nationalist ideology is a recipe for disaster. If we cannot confront these two evils, far greater violence and social disruption awaits our nation. 

We beseech elected officials to renew the lapsed ban on assault weapons and to require licensing and background checks for gun ownership.  We also demand that legislation which has recently passed the House, including HR8, be brought to a vote in the Senate and passed. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell must be held to account for blocking legislation that would have introduced common-sense measure years ago.

The National Council of Churches asks the 100,000 local churches that comprise our member communions to hold special prayer services not only for those affected by the mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton but everywhere around the world. We call upon our churches to hold conversations on racism and white supremacy so that these horrid ideologies will be eradicated. We call on our churches to contact elected officials and demand actions that will renew the assault weapons ban. 

We raise our voice as a prayer to the one God of all. May our words be heard not only as a lament but as a call to action. 

See also:

• NCC Reaffirms Its 2010 Resolution on Gun Violence

The National Council of Churches opposes the Justice Department’s decision to reinstate the federal death penalty and to schedule the execution of five persons. We affirm our longstanding view that the death penalty is both a violation of the dignity and worth of human beings and has also proven to be ineffective as a deterrent (see the 21st Century Social Creed and our statement of September 13, 1968). 

Additionally, the pervasiveness of systemic racism and classism intrinsic within the criminal legal process means the death penalty is neither fair nor just.  In fact, we know that hundreds of people who have been sentenced to death — or actually executed by the state — have been determined to be innocent. In a time when states are ceasing this abominable practice, it is abhorrent that the federal government would seek to revive it.  

Our Christian faith is clear that life and the dignity of human personhood are sacred gifts of God and as such shall not be violated.

Institutionalized killing contributes to the brutalization of society. Such a final and heinous decision should not be left to the discretion of flawed humans and broken systems. Furthermore, society is served better by a system of restorative justice: as all are made in the image of God, we stand firm in our belief as Christians that all can be redeemed.