**Episcopal Church Rejects Government Directive to Resettle White South African Refugees**

In a notable move highlighting its dedication to racial justice, the Episcopal Church's migration service has decided to reject a federal government directive to resettle white South African refugees. Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe announced this decision shortly before 59 South Africans landed at Dulles International Airport near Washington, D.C., arriving on a private charter plane and received by a government delegation.

Episcopal Migration Ministries, which has been in partnership with the federal government for refugee resettlement for decades, stated that it would discontinue this collaboration by the end of the federal fiscal year. This decision comes after the Trump administration fast-tracked refugee status for white South Africans, accusing the South African government of discriminatory practices, while simultaneously closing down the broader U.S. refugee program.

For nearly four decades, the Episcopal Church has helped resettle around 110,000 refugees from various countries, including Ukraine, Myanmar, and Congo. However, Rowe emphasized that the church could not support the resettlement of South Africans at the expense of other refugees who had been waiting under more perilous conditions.

"This has been a painful situation to witness," Rowe said. "We have observed one group of refugees receiving preferential treatment over many others who have been waiting for years in refugee camps or dangerous situations. Many brave individuals who supported our military in Iraq and Afghanistan are now facing danger at home and are being overlooked."

The South African government has denied any discriminatory treatment towards its white minority residents. Meanwhile, Rowe assured that the church is committed to finding alternative ways to assist immigrants, both within the United States and those stuck overseas.

This development also furthers a series of conflicts between the Episcopal Church and the Trump administration. Previously, Bishop Mariann Budde of Washington, D.C., had drawn Trump's ire during an inaugural prayer service by advocating for "mercy" towards anxious migrants and LGBTQ+ children.

While the Episcopal Church has chosen to halt its collaboration, Church World Service (CWS), another faith-based refugee organization, expressed willingness to aid the relocated South Africans. CWS President and CEO Rick Santos criticized the government for fast-tracking Afrikaners while ignoring other vulnerable refugee populations. Nevertheless, Santos assured that CWS remains committed to serving all eligible refugees, including Afrikaners, with dignity and compassion.

The Episcopal Ministry and CWS are among ten national groups, predominantly faith-based, that have partnered with the federal government in refugee resettlement efforts.