Episcopal churches split over Trump

Episcopal clergy are wringing their hands over how to “hold my church together,” as congregations split between parishioners under Trump’s spell and parishioners sickened by everything he is and does.

God’s church cannot be divided. Individual congregations can divide into political groups, one upholding values of hate and war; the other standing with Jesus Christ.

Yet we’ve heard no public ecclesiastical denouncement of U.S. current immigration policy concerning children. What kind of Christian leadership will not confront such powerful, dangerous forces?

Wake up! Get on your knees and pray. Pray publicly. Cleanse the temple publicly, not in the name of political unity, but in the name of Jesus Christ. Exhort and teach Christians how to involve ourselves in today’s world. Reach out to Franciscans and Quakers to learn ways to resolve differences and achieve peace. Give us new, relevant liturgies and prayers.

During World War II, to the church’s shame, Pope Pius XII failed to confront Hitler. Trump has not yet overthrown our weakened democracy, but unless stopped, he will. And unless Christianity will play a role in supporting truth in this political dark age, it will become ever more irrelevant.

The church cannot remain silent. Faye Walter Sewanee, Tenn.