Episcopal bishop calls on clergy to prepare wills and “stand between the powers of this world and the most vulnerable” as Trump’s immigration enforcement escalates, invoking martyrdom theology to justify physical resistance against federal agents.
Story Highlights
- Bishop Hirschfeld told clergy to prepare for “a new era of martyrdom” while resisting ICE operations
- Episcopal Church leadership endorsed the resistance message with institutional prayer support
- The remarks came after an ICE agent killed a 37-year-old Christian mother, Renee Good, in Minneapolis
- Multiple Episcopal bishops now echoing calls for clergy to physically confront federal agents
Bishop’s Radical Call for Clergy Resistance
Rt. Rev. A. Robert Hirschfeld delivered unscripted remarks at a January 9th vigil in Concord, New Hampshire, urging Episcopal clergy to prepare their affairs and wills before engaging in physical resistance against federal immigration enforcement.
The bishop’s inflammatory speech followed the killing of Renee Good, a 37-year-old Christian mother, by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Hirschfeld explicitly called for clergy to “stand between the powers of this world and the most vulnerable” with their bodies, framing potential martyrdom as a Christian duty.
Episcopal Church Endorses Confrontational Strategy
The Episcopal Church’s leadership has provided institutional backing for Hirschfeld’s radical message. Presiding Bishop Sean W. Rowe offered prayers of resistance during an online vigil, while the Episcopal Diocese of Maine promoted Hirschfeld’s remarks on social media as a “powerful message.”
This coordinated response suggests the Episcopal hierarchy views physical confrontation with federal agents as aligned with church doctrine, marking a dangerous escalation in religious institutional opposition to lawful immigration enforcement.
Historical Martyrdom Invoked to Justify Modern Resistance
Hirschfeld drew parallels between modern immigration enforcement and historical persecution, citing Oscar Romero’s assassination in El Salvador and civil rights activist Jonathan Daniels’ death in Alabama.
The bishop argued that the church lost its prophetic voice when it “became linked to the empire by Constantine,” positioning federal immigration law as equivalent to murderous regimes. This theological framework provides religious justification for defying federal authority and potentially endangering both clergy and law enforcement officers.
New Hampshire bishop warns clergy to prepare for ‘new era of martyrdom’ https://t.co/QoZ2gtwpNu pic.twitter.com/tKfjn9pbJw
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) January 18, 2026
Escalating Church-State Confrontation Under Trump
The bishop admitted he has been issuing these warnings “more often in recent months, especially in reference to the actions of the Trump administration.” Episcopal Bishop Craig Loya of Minnesota echoed similar sentiments, describing recent enforcement as “incredibly painful” for churches serving immigrant populations.
These coordinated statements reveal an organized religious resistance movement preparing for confrontations with federal agents implementing lawful deportation operations across multiple states.
The dangerous rhetoric promotes civil disobedience that could result in unnecessary violence and undermines the rule of law that protects all Americans. While claiming to protect the vulnerable, these religious leaders are encouraging actions that could endanger both their congregants and law enforcement officers simply doing their jobs to secure America’s borders.
Sources:
Bishop calls for new era of martyrdom after ICE shooting
NH Episcopal bishop urges clergy to prepare wills in immigration protest
Bishop Rob’s reflection from the Renee Good vigil
Two Episcopal bishops say clergy may have to put bodies on the line to resist ICE
