Statement of Solidarity with Pastor Tanya Lopez
The Clergy Emergency League unequivocally stands in solidarity with Pastor Tanya Lopez of Downey Memorial Christian Church and with all our clergy colleagues who are holding the line for justice, supporting our immigrant friends, neighbors, and church members. The Clergy Emergency League is a national, grassroots ecumenical network of over 3,000 clergy who are committed to supporting and resourcing one another in our collective resistance of white Christian nationalism. Yesterday, Pastor Lopez courageously confronted a group of unidentified armed masked men who were abducting a neighbor on her church's property. Pastor Lopez acted for justice and in the spirit of loving kindness as she demanded that the men identify themselves and urged the abducted man not to sign any paperwork, she was met with a drawn rifle. To you, Pastor Lopez, we say, "Well done, good and faithful pastor!" And to those agents of chaos who are violently harming God's beloved, we say, "Turn and repent from evil and choose to do good" (Psalm 34:14).
We call upon clergy to rise in solidarity with Pastor Lopez and with all our clergy siblings in Los Angeles as they face authoritarian terror in their communities. This infringement of church property should be a warning to all of us that ICE and people posing as agents have no respect for sacred space, let alone the innate dignity of all people. It's on us to hold the line for the sake of justice, belonging, and the well-being of our churches, our neighborhoods, and our nation. Let us stand arm in arm, unwavering in our commitment to the gospel of our Lord, Jesus Christ, who cared for the poor and the vulnerable and the oppressed, and who refused to bow down to Caesar. Like Jesus, let us worship God alone.
The Clergy Emergency League is a grassroots network dedicated to supporting, equipping, and resourcing clergy who are resisting white Christian nationalism. If you're feeling scared, overwhelmed, or alone, please know that we're here to support you. You can find us at clergyemergencyleague.com, where you can sign up for our newsletter and access our Facebook page. We're in this together, and Christ walks with us on the way.
In Christ's Solidarity,
CEL Steering Committee
20 Things Clergy & Churches Can Do To Prepare for 2025
When the Christian Church is co-opted to advance policies of violence and oppression, clergy must not be silent.
We must speak out and resist.
The Clergy Emergency League (CEL) is a grassroots network of clergy speaking with a unified voice against the abuses of power at the federal, state, and local levels. We repudiate the fusion of politics with radical, right-wing, fundamentalist Christianity. And we denounce the growing power of racist white nationalism and a militarized police state.
We provide support, accountability, resources, and networking for clergy to prophetically minister in their congregations and the public square in this time of political upheaval, social unrest, and partisan division.
Connect with us on Facebook!
If you are a member of the clergy (“Clergy” includes the following: any denominationally-recognized and authorized servant-leader position (such as deacons, elders, etc.), those in seminary or divinity school, Seminary educators, student pastors, and retired clergy), CLICK HERE to join our private Facebook Group where we collaborate and support one another.
If you are not a member of the clergy but would like to follow the Clergy Emergency League, CLICK HERE to like our public Facebook Page.
Make a donation.
Want to support the work we do? Tax-deductible donations can be made to the Clergy Emergency League through the Wisconsin Council of Churches. The leadership team of the Clergy Emergency League do their work on a 100% volunteer basis. All proceeds from donations go to things such as website maintenance, our Zoom account, and honoraria for guest speakers.
