In a striking move that severs a partnership programme of sponsoring, integration and resettlement of refugees with the US federal government that have endured for nearly four decades, the Episcopal Church, part of the Anglican communion, citing moral opposition to the designation of Afrikaners, whose first members arrived by private jet at Washington’s Dulles Airport, and will, according to the presiding bishop, grant monies that support their outreach, winding down the relationship, rather than dignify the administration’s shrill cries of “reverse racism” and equate the travel wealthy South Africans to the plight of those fleeing persecution. With its Migration Ministries an outshoot of their philosophy and guidance, the denomination has always been a strong proponent of social justice and aligned with figures like Archbishop Desmond Tutu against institutional apartheid and refused to turn its back on its values its historic ties—particularly at a time when all other migration to the United States is essentially frozen with long-term residents being deported or removed to foreign prisons and international humanitarian organisations effectively defunded out of existence. The arrival of the first plane load comes as a consequence of an executive order Trump issued in February under the suggestion of Elon Musk, promising that America would take in “Afrikaners who are victims of unjust racial discrimination,” hateful rhetoric and expropriation of land—baselessly and strongly rejected by the government and much of the public, outside of the aggrieved, taking grave exception with this privilege. The Episcopal Church will continue supporting migrants but on its own ways, coinciding with the new Pope Leo pledge in no uncertain terms to uphold the legacy of Pope Francis in caring for the displaced.
one year ago: Trump’s potential running-mate (with synchronoptica) plus Lincoln and Ireland
seven years ago: the Ice Saints plus an AI suggests ice cream flavours
eight years ago: Jimmy Carter visits Wiesbaden
ten years ago: the grooks of Piet Hein plus assorted links to revisit
eleven years ago: Kassel and the Allied Trizone plus brain exercises