Anglican Watch denounces feckless Episcopal response to current US immigration policies
Anglican Watch, the unofficial watchdog of the Episcopal Church, today denounced the Episcopal Church’s response to current US immigration policies, calling it feckless and noting that many Episcopal bishops are remaining silent. The move follows the release, more than a week after the death of Alex Pretti at the hands of federal agents, of a statement condemning current government immigration policies.
“While our siblings in the United Methodist Church, for example, release relevant publications like ‘Know your rights when they’re under threat,’ the Episcopal Church is taking the milquetoast approach to these issues, marked by pearl-clutching and bland statements about respecting the dignity of every human being,” says Anglican Watch official Mark Lowen.
“Let’s call a spade a spade,” Lowen continues.
“The Episcopal bishops’ letter is not an official statement of the House of Bishops. Even worse, only 154 bishops signed this tepid statement, accounting for a mere 57 percent of the 271 members of the House of Bishops. And the letter comes on the heels of a statement from Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe, captioned ‘Death and despair do not have the last word.’
“Rowe’s statement is a masterpiece of weasel-wording and pearl clutching, and hardly the sort of forceful statement required at a time when American democracy hangs in the balance. So much for the Episcopal Church being an “engine of resistance,” Lowen adds.
“Meanwhile, we remind the public: While the Episcopal bishops talk about respecting the dignity of every human being, many of the signatories of the bishops’ letter can’t even be bothered to address abuse within the denomination, or follow the provisions of church canons, including the Title IV clergy disciplinary canons. These failures make it difficult to take anything these individuals say seriously.
Notable offenders include:
- Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe
- Jennifer Brooke-Davidson
- Paula Clark
- Michael Curry
- DeDe Duncan-Probe
- Alan Gates
- Susan Goff
- Gayle Harris
- Chilton Knudsen
- Clay Matthews
- Todd Ousley
- Allen Shin
- Taylor Sutton
- Pierre W. Whalon
- Julia E. Whitworth
- Rob Wright
“And several ethically challenged bishops did all involved a favor by not signing, including Santosh Marray, Shannon Johnston, and Holly Hollerith. The latter famously declared in writing that he would not touch allegations of child sexual assault with a ‘1000 ft. pole.’ It doesn’t get more corrupt and debased than that.
“Finally, we remind all involved: Obeying the US Constitution and treating all persons with dignity and respect are not matters of left versus right. They are a matter of personal and collective integrity that should not be controversial to anyone, regardless of their political views. Others may sit silent or offer tepid platitudes, but this organization will not,” Lowen concludes.
Anglican Watch is the unofficial watchdog of the Episcopal Church. Founded in 2015, the organization addresses sexual and non-sexual abuse in the Episcopal Church and other faith communities.
Key details regarding the House of Bishops include:
Total Count: Recent joint letters in early 2026 indicate a membership of approximately 154-155 bishops.
Composition: Includes active diocesan bishops, bishop coadjutors, suffragan bishops, and retired bishops.
Hi Sidney. Thanks for your comment.
Here is the official list of all 271 HOB members, derived this morning from the HOB website. Note that 14 are from non-US jurisdictions. Some undoubtedly don’t participate due to ill health:
Rowe, The Most Rev. Sean Chair n/a Presiding Bishop, II
Baskerville-Burrows, The Rt. Rev. Jennifer Vice-Chair 2027 Indianapolis, V
Lucas, The Rt. Rev. Kimberly Secretary 2027 Colorado, VI
Read, The Rt. Rev. David Assistant Secretary 2027 West Texas, VII
Adams, The Rt. Rev. James Member n/a Western Kansas, VII
Adams III, The Rt. Rev. Gladstone Member n/a Central New York, II
Ahrens, The Rt. Rev. Laura Member n/a Connecticut, I
Akiyama, The Rt. Rev. Diana Member n/a Oregon, VIII
Alexander, The Rt. Rev. J. Neil Member n/a Atlanta, IV
Allen, The Rt. Rev. Lloyd Member n/a Honduras, IX
Alvarez, The Rt. Rev. David Member n/a Puerto Rico, II
Andrus, The Rt. Rev. Marc Member n/a California, VIII
Ashby, The Rt. Rev. Lucinda Member n/a El Camino Real, VIII
Barker, The Rt. Rev. J. Scott Member n/a Nebraska, VI
Bartlett, The Rt. Rev. Allen Member n/a Pennsylvania, III
Bascom, The Rt. Rev. Cathleen C. Member n/a Kansas, VII
Bauerschmidt, The Rt. Rev. John Member n/a Tennessee, IV
Baxter, The Rt. Rev. Nathan Member n/a The Susquehanna, III
Beauvoir, The Rt. Rev. Oge Member n/a Haiti, II
Beckwith, The Rt. Rev. Mark Member n/a Newark, II
Beisner, The Rt. Rev. Barry Member n/a Navajoland , VIII
Bell, The Rt. Rev. Patrick Member n/a Eastern Oregon, VIII
Benfield, The Rt. Rev. Larry Member n/a Northwestern Pennsylvania , III
Benhase, The Rt. Rev. Scott Member n/a Georgia, IV
Bennison, The Rt. Rev. Charles Member n/a Pennsylvania, III
Bourlakas, The Rt. Rev. Mark Member n/a Virginia, III
Breidenthal, The Rt. Rev. Thomas Member n/a Southern Ohio, V
Brewer, The Rt. Rev. Gregory O. Member n/a Central Florida, IV
Brooke-Davidson, The Rt. Rev. Jennifer Member n/a North Carolina, IV
Brookhart, The Rt. Rev. C. Franklin Member n/a Montana, VI
Brown, The Rt. Rev. James Member n/a Louisiana, IV
Brown, The Rt. Rev. Kevin Member n/a Delaware, III
Brown, The Rt. Rev. Thomas Member n/a Maine, I
Brown Snook, The Rt. Rev. Susan Member n/a San Diego, VIII
Bruce, The Rt. Rev. Diane Jardine Member 2024 Los Angeles, VIII
Budde, The Rt. Rev. Mariann Member n/a Washington, III
Burgess, The Rt. Rev. Brian Member n/a Springfield, V
Carranza-Gomez, The Rt. Rev. Sergio Member n/a Los Angeles, VIII
Chane, The Rt. Rev. John Member n/a Washington, III
Chang, The Rt. Rev. Lennon Yuan-Rung Member n/a Taiwan, VIII
Charleston, The Rt. Rev. Steven Member n/a California, VIII
Clark, The Rt. Rev. Paula Member n/a Chicago, V
Cole, The Rt. Rev. Brian Member n/a East Tennessee, IV
Cortiñas, The Rt. Rev. Angela Maria Member n/a West Texas, VII
Cowden, The Rt. Rev. Matthew Member n/a West Virginia, III
Cowell, The Rt. Rev. Mark Member n/a Western Kansas, VII
Creighton, The Rt. Rev. Michael Member n/a The Susquehanna, III
Curry, The Rt. Rev. Glenda Member n/a Alabama, IV
Curry, The Rt. Rev. James Member n/a Connecticut, I
Curry, The Rt. Rev. Michael Member 2024 North Carolina, IV
Daniel, The Rt. Rev. Clifton Member n/a New York, II
Delgado del Carpio, The Rt. Rev. Maria Griselda Member n/a Cuba, II
Dietsche, The Rt. Rev. Andrew Member n/a New York, II
Doss, The Rt. Rev. Joe Member n/a New Jersey, II
Douglas, The Rt. Rev. Ian Member n/a Connecticut, I
Doyle, The Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Member n/a Texas, VII
Duckworth, The Rt. Rev. Shannon Rogers Member n/a Louisiana, IV
Duncan, The Rt. Rev. Philip M. Member n/a Central Gulf Coast, IV
Duncan-Probe, The Rt. Rev. Dr. DeDe Member n/a Central New York, II
Duque, The Rt. Rev. Francisco Member n/a Colombia, IX
Duracin, The Rt. Rev. Zache Member n/a Haiti, II
Eaton, The Rt. Rev. Peter Member n/a Southeast Florida, IV
Edington, The Rt. Rev. Mark Member n/a Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe, II
Edwards, The Rt. Rev. Dan Member n/a Nevada, VIII
Epting, The Rt. Rev. C. Christopher Member n/a Iowa, VI
Field, The Rt. Rev. Martin Member n/a West Missouri, VII
Fisher, The Rt. Rev. Jeff Member n/a Texas, VII
Fisher, The. Rt. Rev. Douglas Member n/a Western Massachusetts, I
Fitzpatrick, Rt. Rev. Robert Member n/a Hawaii, VIII
Folts, The Rt. Rev. James Member n/a West Texas, VII
Folts, The Rt. Rev. Jonathan Member n/a South Dakota, VI
Frade, The Rt. Rev. Leopold Member n/a Southeast Florida, IV
Franklin, The Rt. Rev. R. William Member n/a Western New York , II
French, The Rt. Rev. Sally Member n/a New Jersey, II
Gallagher, The Rt. Rev. Carol Member n/a Massachusetts, I
Garcia, The Rt. Rev. Pastor Elias Member n/a Colombia, IX
Gardner, The Rt. Rev. Elizabeth Bonforte Member n/a Nevada, VIII
Garrison, The Rt. Rev. J. Michael Member n/a Western New York , II
Gates, The Rt. Rev. Alan Member n/a Massachusetts, I
Gepert, The Rt. Rev. Robert Member n/a The Susquehanna, III
Gibbs, The Rt. Rev. Wendell Member n/a Southern Ohio, V
Glasspool, The Rt. Rev. Mary Member n/a New York, II
Gloster, The Rt. Rev. J. Gary Member n/a North Carolina, IV
Goff, The Rt. Rev. Susan Member n/a Virginia, III
Gray, The Rt. Rev. Francis Member n/a Northern Indiana, V
Gray III, The Rt. Rev. Duncan Member n/a Mississippi, IV
Gray-Reeves, The Rt. Rev. Mary Member 2024 North Carolina, IV
Gregg, The Rt. Rev. William Member n/a Eastern Oregon, VIII
Guerrero, The Rt. Rev. Orlando Member n/a Venezuela, IX
Gulick, The Rt. Rev. Edwin Member n/a Virginia, III
Gumbs, The Rt. Rev. E. Ambrose Member n/a the Virgin Islands, II
Gunter, The Rt. Rev. Matthew A. Member n/a Wisconsin, V
Gutiérrez, The Rt. Rev. Daniel Member n/a Pennsylvania, III
Hahn, The Rt. Rev. W. Douglas Member n/a Lexington, IV
Hanley, The Rt. Rev. Michael Member n/a Oregon, VIII
Harmon, The Rt. Revd. John T. W. Member n/a Arkansas, VII
Harris, The Rt. Rev. Gayle Member n/a Virginia, III
Harrison, The Rt. Rev. Dena Member n/a Texas, VII
Hart, The Rt. Rev. Donald Member n/a Hawaii, VIII
Hayashi, The Rt. Rev. Scott Member n/a Utah, VIII
Haynes, The Rt. Rev. Susan Member n/a Southern Virginia, III
Henderson, Jr., The Rt. Rev. Dorsey Member n/a Florida, IV
Heyd, The Rt. Rev. Matthew Member n/a New York, II
High, Jr., The Rt. Rev. Rayford Member n/a West Texas, VII
Hirschfeld, The Rt. Rev. A. Robert Member n/a New Hampshire, I
Hodges-Copple, The Rt. Rev. Anne Member n/a The Great Lakes, V
Holcomb, The Rt. Rev. Dr. Justin Member n/a Central Florida, IV
Holguin, The Rt. Rev. Julio Member n/a Dominican Republic, IX
Hollerith, The Rt. Rev. Herman Member n/a Southern Virginia, III
Hollingsworth, The Rt. Rev. Mark Member n/a Ohio, V
Hougland, The Rt. Rev. Whayne Member n/a The Great Lakes, V
Howe, The Rt. Rev. Barry Member n/a Southwest Florida, IV
Hughes, The Rt. Rev. Carlye Member n/a Newark, II
Hughes, The Rt. Rev. Gethin Member n/a San Diego, VIII
Hunn, The Rt. Rev. Michael C.B. Member n/a Rio Grande, VII
Ihloff, The Rt. Rev. Robert Member n/a Maryland, III
Itty, The Rt. Rev. Johncy Member n/a Oregon, VIII
Jefferts Schori, The Rt. Rev. Katharine Member 2015 Nevada, VIII
Jelinek, The Rt. Rev. James Member n/a Minnesota, VI
Johnson, The Rt. Rev. Deon Member n/a Missouri, V
Johnson, The Rt. Rev. Don Member n/a West Tennessee, IV
Johnston, The Rt. Rev. Shannon Member n/a Virginia, III
Jolly, The Rt. Rev. Anne Member n/a Ohio, V
Jones, The Rt. Rev. Bob Member n/a Wyoming, VI
Jones, The Rt. Rev. Charles Member n/a Montana, VI
Jones, The Rt. Rev. David Member n/a Virginia, III
Kendrick, The Rt. Rev. J. Russell Member n/a Central Gulf Coast, IV
Klusmeyer, The Rt. Rev. William Member n/a West Virginia, III
Knisely, The Rt. Rev. W. Nicholas Member n/a Rhode Island, I
Knudsen, The Rt. Rev. Chilton Member n/a Maryland, III
Konieczny, The Rt. Rev. Dr. Edward Member n/a Oklahoma, VII
Krotz, The Rt. Rev. James Member n/a Nebraska, VI
Ladehoff, The Rt. Rev. Robert Member n/a Oregon, VIII
Lai, The Rt. Rev. David J.H. Member n/a Taiwan, VIII
Lamb, The Rt. Rev. Jerry Member n/a Northern California, VIII
Lambert, The Rt. Rev. Paul Member n/a Dallas, VII
Lambert, The Rt. Rev. W. Jay Member n/a Wisconsin, V
Lane, The Rt. Rev. Stephen Member n/a Western New York , II
Lattime, The Rt. Rev. Mark Member n/a Alaska, VIII
Lawton, The Rt. Rev. Fraser Member n/a Dallas, VII
Lee, The Rt. Rev. Jeffrey Member n/a Chicago, V
Lee, Jr., The Rt. Rev. Edward Member n/a The Great Lakes, V
León Lozano, The Rt. Rev. Cristobal Member n/a Litoral Ecuador, IX
Light, The Rt. Rev. A. Heath Member n/a Southwestern Virginia, III
Lillibridge, The Rt. Rev. Gary Member n/a West Texas, VII
Little, The Rt. Rev. Edward Member n/a Northern Indiana, V
Logue, The Rt. Rev. Frank Member n/a Georgia, IV
Loya, The Rt. Rev. Craig Member n/a Minnesota, VI
MacVean-Brown, The Rt. Rev. Dr. Shannon Member n/a Vermont, I
Magness, The Rt. Rev. James Member n/a Southern Virginia, III
Marray, The Rt. Rev. Santosh Member n/a Easton, III
Martins, The Rt. Rev. Daniel Member n/a Springfield, V
Mathes, The Rt. Rev. James Member n/a San Diego, VIII
Matthews, The Rt. Rev. F. Clayton Member n/a Virginia, III
Mayer, The Rt. Rev. J. Scott Member n/a Northwest Texas, VII
Maze, The Rt. Rev. Larry Member n/a Arkansas, VII
McConnell, The Rt. Rev. Dorsey Member n/a Pittsburgh, III
McKelvey, The Rt. Rev. Jack Member n/a Rochester, II
McLoughlin, The Rt. Rev. José Member n/a Western North Carolina, IV
Meaux, The Rt. Rev. Amy Dafler Member n/a West Missouri, VII
Mello, The Rt. Rev. Jeffrey Member n/a Connecticut, I
Merino, The Rt. Rev. Bernardo Member n/a Colombia, IX
Michel , The Rt. Rev. Rodney Member n/a Pennsylvania, III
Miller, The Rt. Rev. Steven Member n/a Wisconsin, V
Milliken, The Rt. Rev. Michael Member n/a Western Kansas, VII
Monnot, The Rt. Rev. Elizabeth Member n/a Iowa, VI
Monterroso, The Right Rev. Hector Member n/a Texas, VII
Moody, The Rt. Rev. Robert Member n/a Oklahoma, VII
Morales, The Rt. Rev. Rafael Member n/a Puerto Rico, II
Morante Espana, The Rt. Rev. Terencio Alfredo Member n/a Litoral Ecuador, IX
Nichols, The Rt. Rev. Kevin Member n/a The Susquehanna, III
O’Neill, The Rt. Rev. Robert Member n/a Colorado, VI
Ohl, Jr., The Rt. Rev. C. Wallis Member n/a Texas, VII
Ottley, The Rt. Rev. James Member n/a Long Island, II
Ousley, The Rt. Rev. Todd Member n/a Wyoming, VI
Owensby, The Rt. Rev. Jake Member n/a Western Louisiana, VII
Packard, The Rt. Rev. George Member n/a New York, II
Parsley, Jr., The Rt. Rev. Henry Member n/a Alabama, IV
Payne, The Rt. Rev. Claude Member n/a Texas, VII
Perry, The Rt. Rev. Bonnie Member n/a Michigan, V
Persell, The Rt. Rev. William Member n/a Chicago, V
Powell, The Rt. Rev. Neff Member n/a Southwestern Virginia, III
Price, The Rt. Rev. Robert Member n/a Dallas, VII
Price, Jr., The Rt. Rev. Kenneth Member n/a Southern Ohio, V
Prior, The Rt. Rev. Brian N. Member n/a Alabama, IV
Provenzano, The Rt. Rev. Lawrence Member n/a Long Island, II
Quezada Mota, The Rt. Rev. Moises Member n/a Dominican Republic, IX
Quiñonez, Bishop Juan Carlos Member n/a Central Ecuador, IX
Rabb, The Rt. Rev. John Member n/a Maryland, III
Ramos-Orench, The Rt. Rev. Wilfrido Member n/a Puerto Rico, II
Ray, The Rt. Rev. Rayford Member n/a Northern Michigan, V
Reddall, The Rt. Rev. Jennifer Member n/a Arizona, VIII
Reed, The Rt. Rev. David M. Member n/a West Texas, VII
Reed, The Rt. Rev. Poulson C. Member n/a Oklahoma, VII
Rehberg, The Rt. Rev. Gretchen Member n/a Spokane, VIII
Rice, The Rt. Rev. David Member n/a San Joaquin, VIII
Richards, The Rt. Rev. Daniel Member n/a Upper South Carolina, IV
Rickel, The Rt. Rev. Gregory Member n/a Southeast Florida, IV
Rios, The Rt. Rev. Austin K. Member n/a California, VIII
Ritonia, The Rt. Rev. Ann Member n/a Washington, III
Rivera, The Rt. Rev. Angel Member n/a Cuba, II
Rivera, The Rt. Rev. Bavi Member n/a Southern Ohio, V
Roaf, The Rt. Rev. Phoebe Member n/a West Tennessee, IV
Robinson, The Rt. Rev. V. Gene Member n/a New Hampshire, I
Rodman, The Rt. Rev. Samuel Member n/a North Carolina, IV
Romero, The Rt. Rev. Sylvestre Member n/a New Jersey, II
Roskam, The Rt. Rev. Catherine Member n/a New York, II
Ruiz , The Rt. Rev. Luis Member n/a Central Ecuador, IX
Ryan, The Rt. Rev. Kathryn Member n/a Texas, VII
Sauls, The Rt. Rev. Stacy Member n/a Lexington, IV
Scanlan, The Rt. Rev. Audrey Member n/a The Susquehanna, III
Scarfe, The Rt. Rev. Alan Member n/a Iowa, VI
Scharf, The Rt. Rev. Douglas Member n/a Southwest Florida, IV
Schofield, Jr., The Rt. Rev. Calvin Member n/a Southeast Florida, IV
Schofield-Broadbent, The Rt. Rev. Carrie Member n/a Maryland, III
Scruton, The Rt. Rev. Gordon Member n/a Western Massachusetts, I
Seage, The Rt. Rev. Brian Member n/a Mississippi, IV
Shand, The Rt. Rev. James Member n/a Easton, III
Shin, The Rt. Rev. Allen Member n/a New York, II
Sisk, The Rt. Rev. Mark Member n/a New York, II
Skelton, The Rt. Rev. Melissa Member n/a Olympia, VIII
Skirving, The Rt. Rev. Rob Member n/a East Carolina, IV
Sloan, The Rt. Rev. John McKee Member n/a Alabama, IV
Smalley, The Rt. Rev. William Member n/a Kansas, VII
Smith, The Rt. Rev. Andrew Member n/a Connecticut, I
Smith, The Rt. Rev. George Wayne Member n/a Missouri, V
Smith, The Rt. Rev. Kirk Member n/a Arizona, VIII
Smith, The Rt. Rev. Michael Member n/a Dallas, VII
Smylie, The Rt. Rev. John Member n/a Wyoming, VI
Solak, The Rt. Rev. Ketlen Member n/a Pittsburgh, III
Sparks, The Rt. Rev. Douglas Member n/a Northern Indiana, V
Spiegel, The Rt. Rev. Phyllis Member n/a Utah, VIII
Stanton, The Rt. Rev. James Member n/a Dallas, VII
Stebbins, The Rt. Rev. Martha E. Member n/a Montana, VI
Stevenson, The Rt. Rev. E. Mark Member n/a Virginia, III
Stokes, The Rt. Rev. William Member n/a New Jersey, II
Strickland, The Rt. Rev. Vernon Member n/a Wyoming, VI
Sumner, Jr., The Rt. Rev. George R. Member n/a Dallas, VII
Sutton, The Rt. Rev. Eugene Member n/a Washington, III
Swing, The Rt. Rev. William Member n/a California, VIII
Taylor, The Rt. Rev. G. Porter Member n/a Western North Carolina, IV
Taylor, The Rt. Rev. John Harvey Member n/a Los Angeles, VIII
Tennis, The Rt. Rev. Cabell Member n/a Delaware, III
Tharakan, The Rt. Rev. Jos Member n/a Idaho, VIII
Thom, The Rt. Rev. Brian Member n/a North Dakota, VI
Thompson, Jr., The Rt. Rev. Morris K. Member n/a Louisiana, IV
Thornton, The Rt. Rev. John Member n/a Idaho, VIII
Townsend, The Rt. Rev. Martin Member n/a Easton, III
Traquair, The Rt. Rev. Megan Member n/a Northern California, VIII
Uffelman White, The Rt. Rev. Kristin Member n/a Southern Ohio, V
Van Koevering, The Rt. Rev. Mark Member n/a Lexington, IV
Vono, The Rt. Rev. Michael Member n/a Rio Grande, VII
vonRosenberg, The Rt. Rev. Charles Member n/a South Carolina, IV
Waggoner, Jr., The Rt. Rev. James Member n/a Spokane, VIII
Wagner Sherer, The Rt. Rev. Kara Member n/a Rochester, II
Waldo, The Rt. Rev. Andrew Member n/a Upper South Carolina, IV
Wells, The Rt. Rev. Dorothy Member n/a Mississippi, IV
Whalon, The Rt. Rev. Pierre Member n/a Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe, II
White, The Rt. Rev. Terry Member n/a Kentucky, IV
Whitmore, The Rt. Rev. Keith Member n/a Wisconsin, V
Williams Jr, The Rt. Rev. Arthur B Member n/a Ohio, V
Williamson, The Rt. Rev Jeremiah Member n/a Albany, II
Wimberly, The Rt. Rev. Don Member n/a Texas, VII
Winterrowd, The Rt. Rev. William Member n/a Colorado, VI
Wolf, The Rt. Rev. Geralyn Member n/a Long Island, II
Wolfe, The Rt. Rev. Dean Member 2018 New York, II
Woodliff-Stanley, The Rt. Rev. Ruth Member n/a South Carolina, IV
Wright, The Rt. Rev. Carl Member n/a Washington, III
Wright, The Rt. Rev. Robert Member n/a Atlanta, IV
Wright, The Rt. Rev. Wayne Member n/a Delaware, III
Young, The Rt. Rev. George Member n/a East Tennessee, IV