Migration Ministries is also cancelling its entire contract with the government.
"We can't be ourselves in the Episcopal Church and take this step of resettling white Afrikaners from South Africa," Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe explains regarding the decision. "Our church has a long commitment to racial justice and reconciliation."
49 Afrikaners had been expected, but 59 arrived Monday, including toddlers and other small children. Trump told reporters earlier this week that he was admitting them as refugees because of the "genocide that's taking place" in their post-apartheid homeland.
"It has been painful to watch one group of refugees, selected in a highly unusual manner, receive preferential treatment over many others who have been waiting in refugee camps or dangerous conditions for years," Bishop Rowe laments.
Bishop Vincent Mathews of Project 21, however, says the denomination is purposefully violating a biblical mandate.
"The scripture tells us that we should not have respecter of persons," Mathews notes. "This is a bad look for the church."
He points out that this is not the first time the Episcopal Church has defied scripture; Mathews says they disqualified themselves from biblical ministry decades ago, when they welcomed immoral sexual relationships.
"They could be salt and light in a difficult time and really minister to some people, but they have really kind of fumbled that opportunity," he concludes.
Bishop Rowe says Christians must not be guided by "political vagaries," but he also insists the denomination's partnership with government, particularly the new administration, is "no longer viable."
He has asked for prayer for the persecuted President Trump has not regarded as refugees and hopes private sponsors will provide the funds needed to eventually revamp the resettlement ministry, as he knows the forfeited $50 million in annual federal funds cannot be covered by current donations or investment proceeds.
