The Episcopal Church has announced that it will end its long-standing refugee resettlement partnership with the U.S. government, citing ethical concerns over the prioritisation of white Afrikaner refugees from South Africa.
This move marks the conclusion of a collaboration that has spanned nearly four decades.
Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe criticised the refugee policy under the Trump-era classification, which expedited the admission of white South African Afrikaners while limiting broader refugee entries.
He described the policy as racially discriminatory and inconsistent with the church’s core values of equity and justice.
Through its Episcopal Migration Ministries program, the church has helped resettle thousands of refugees since the 1980s. However, it now plans to shut down the federally funded program by September 2025.
The decision has drawn mixed reactions. Critics claim it neglects Afrikaners reportedly facing threats and insecurity in South Africa, while supporters commend the church for opposing what they view as a racially skewed approach to refugee resettlement.
