Social Justice

Sanctuary

We Are Sanctuary — Episcopal Diocese of New York

A Moral Call to Action: Safety, Care, Sanctuary

Communities across the Episcopal Diocese of New York (EDNY) provide safety, and spaces of belonging every single day.

We provide care for everyone. Our support does not depend on immigration status, but on the inherent dignity of every human being–Everyone is made in the image of God.  The Bible calls us to defend the rights of the marginalized, bring freedom to the captives, and treat all people equally as we are “all one in Christ Jesus.”

The call to sanctuary reflects our Christian values of resisting evil, seeking and serving Christ in all persons, and loving our neighbor as ourselves.

SANCTUARY has deep roots in our Christian tradition over millennia. The Bible calls us to defend the rights of the marginalized, bring freedom to the captives, and treat all people equally as we are “all one in Christ Jesus.”

Sanctuary has been with us since at least the 7th Century BCE. In the book of Deuteronomy, the Lord instructs the Israelites to set aside cities of refuge for the betterment of the community.  In the United States, commitment to Sanctuary has continued into our present day.

  • Sanctuary was forged by the Underground Railroad, which saved between 25,000-50,000 lives despite its violation of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1793.
  • Another wave of the Sanctuary movement in the U.S. emerged in the 1960s when churches protected U.S. citizens who resisted the draft to the Vietnam War.
  • During the Civil Rights Movement, churches famously served as places of refuge for activists engaged in civil disobedience.
  • In the 1980s, the Sanctuary movement protected immigrants from Latinx countries fleeing civic violence.
  • Today, there has been a groundswell of support for immigrants among uptick in houses of worship of all faiths serving those who are undocumented as well as the many more who are also at risk of ICE arrest and detention, and facing deportation. and persecuted by the state.

  • At the Episcopal Diocese of New York’s 2024 Convention, we voted to become a Sanctuary Diocese with a special focus on welcoming asylum seekers and refugees, and caring for those in our communities who are undocumented.

    Resolutions 21 to 25: Becoming a “Sanctuary Diocese”: Recommitting to Provide Radical Hospitality for the Newest New Yorkers Resolved [21] that the communities of the Diocese of New York, taking seriously Jesus call to welcome (“I was a stranger and you welcomed me,” Matthew 25:35) and the calls in the Hebrew Bible (“The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the native-born among you; you shall love the alien as yourself,” Lev. 19:34) have long been committed to offering sacred hospitality to the immigrant, refugee, and stranger among us in providing sanctuary, basic human necessities, and pastoral care; and be it further Resolved [22] that communities in all 10 counties of the Diocese have seen and responded to a recent increase in migrants/asylum seekers from all over the globe by providing shelter, legal support, and other basic human necessities; and be it further Resolved [23] that the people of Diocese of New York recommit to radical welcome by pledging itself to be a “Sanctuary Diocese” that provides care, support, and advocacy for our newest neighbors in every context both within and beyond the walls of our buildings including ecumenical, interfaith, and local nonprofit partnership; and be it further Resolved [24] that the communities and structures (sta , committees, and commissions) of the Diocese of New York commit to education, organizing, legal direct action, and advocacy with state, local, and federal lawmakers to see continued advancement in immigration laws that meet the various needs of our newest neighbors as laid out by General Convention and Diocesan resolutions; and be it further Resolved [25] that the Diocese of New York pledge to assist in equipping congregations, clergy, and lay leaders to engage in such work, appropriate to local contexts, capacity, and discernment.

Ways to Help

Sanctuary means that when our neighbors are threatened, we respond with hope, justice, and love. Offering and supporting sanctuary will look different depending on your community. We seek to provide our local communities with the information and support they need to live out sanctuary and our values. Below, you’ll find several ways to participate. If you’d like to learn more, please email us at mission@dioceseny.org.

  • Donate to the Sanctuary Legal Fund: Support immigrant families in our congregations and neighborhoods throughout the Diocese of New York. The Legal Fund will help those navigating immigration under urgent and vulnerable circumstances to access legal resources. Click here to learn more and donate.
  • Prayer and Witness: Praying together with those affected and calling local, state, national leaders.
  • Stay Informed and Engaged
  • Create a Safe Space 
    • Congregations and programs can provide temporary sanctuary to people who are at risk, for specific hours during the day. Possibilities include: allowing people to use restrooms, providing water/coffee, allowing folks to charge their devices, etc. 
    • Host “Family Preparedness” workshops to assist immigrants facing possible detention
  • Be Prepared  
    • “Know Your Rights” training can help clergy, undocumented people, and allies know how to handle a possible encounter with federal, state, or local law enforcement

Sanctuary Resources of the EDNY

Practical Resources for Dioceses, Churches, and Individuals 

What EDNY Cannot Provide

  • Comprehensive, direct legal representation for individuals or parishesGuaranteed financial support for personal legal costs or ministry-related costs
  • Guarantees against arrest or detention
  • Guarantees of bail for any person detained by Immigration Enforcement

For Further Reading

Spiritual Resources