NEWS PROVIDED BY
Anglican Watch
Feb. 5, 2026
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Feb. 5, 2026 /Standard Newswire/ — 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,” 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.
SOURCE Anglican Watch
CONTACT: Eric Bonetti, 240-331-6977, eric@anglicanwatch.com