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Actions of pro-Trump protesters who stormed the Capitol, in Washington, on 6 January 2021 have been condemned by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC), Church leaders in the USA and the World Council of Churches (WCC).
NCC
A statement from the NCC said:
‘The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) condemns and repudiates the actions of pro-Trump protesters today, who instead of exercising their First Amendment rights to free speech, have put people’s lives in danger, made a mockery of the American democratic process and the rule of law, vandalized the U.S. Capitol, assaulted law enforcement officers and threatened the safety of members of Congress, staffers and others who work at the Capitol building. Chaos reigns, guns have been drawn, and our democracy is under siege. This is outrageous, unacceptable, shameful and a disgrace. Every effort must be made by law enforcement to restore order immediately.
‘While we support nonviolent protests, and have often organized and participated in them, demonstrators desecrating the Capitol and disrupting our fair democratic process cannot be tolerated or go unpunished. All who have been involved in today’s riots, those who participated as well as those who have incited this violence, must be held accountable.’
You can read the full statement on the NCC website.
Church leaders in the USA
For more details, please see the WCC website.
Michael Curry, Presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church
‘The events at our Capitol today are deeply disturbing. We believe the actions of armed protesters represent a coup attempt.’
Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops
‘I join people of good will in condemning the violence today at the United States Capitol. This is not who we are as Americans.’
He called for prayers for members of Congress and Capitol staff, and for the police and all those working to restore order and public safety.
‘The peaceful transition of power is one of the hallmarks of this great nation. In this troubling moment, we must recommit ourselves to the values and principles of our democracy and come together as one nation under God.’
Russell Moore, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, Southern Baptist Convention
‘This mob attack on our Capitol and our Constitution is immoral, unjust, dangerous, and inexcusable. What has happened to our country is tragic and could have been avoided.’ (via Twitter)
Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
‘What we are seeing in Washington now is the refutation of our American commitment, a form of unleashed anarchy which is the enemy of ordered liberty, and President Trump is responsible now for unleashing mayhem. Pray that God will rescue us from this.’ (via Twitter)
WCC
A statement by the WCC:
‘The divisive populist politics of recent years have unleashed forces that threaten the foundations of democracy in the United States and—to the extent that it represents an example to other countries—in the wider world,’ said Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, interim general secretary of the WCC. ‘Accordingly, these developments have implications far beyond domestic American politics and are of serious international concern.’
The WCC urged those responsible for the violence to desist and to return to civil discourse and established democratic processes, calling on all parties to resist short-term political interests and to act in a manner responsible to others and accountable to the wider society.
‘We pray that the churches of America be empowered with wisdom and strength to provide leadership through this crisis, and on the path of peace, reconciliation, and justice,’ said Sauca.
You can read more on the WCC website.
