31/01/2026
A Statement from Unitarian Ministers:
As Unitarian Ministers we are appalled to witness the collapse of good governance at the highest office of the American state. In current American domestic policy we see a pattern emerging which has chilling echoes of the worst times in European history. Therefore we condemn especially all those who enable and facilitate this domineering, corrupt and incompetent leadership both in the American system and worldwide.
We stand unequivocally with our ministerial colleagues in America both from our sister denomination the Unitarian Universalist Association and allied denominations and faith groups who gather in Minneapolis to actively resist the repressive policies enacted by ICE agents and Homeland Security forces and we join with our colleagues and all people of good faith who protest and decry the victimisation of marginalised communities in Minnesota and elsewhere.
We also condemn the invasion of Venezuela, the kidnap of its leader and the appropriation of its resources as illegal under international law and a clear contravention of the UN Charter Article 2(4). We believe that this action contributes to de-stabilisation and continues the precedent seen in Ukraine and in Gaza that seems to present might as right, and projects armed power as the only arbiter in political or territorial dispute. This we reject utterly.
We note with alarm the warlike comments made by President Trump and his administration regarding Greenland and we deplore the ethical weakness demonstrated by leaders of the international community who fail to explicitly resist President Trump and his administration. We believe that International law based on acknowledged moral principles must be upheld regardless of regional interests.
We call on our congregations and our leadership to amplify the concerns expressed in this letter and to address them to their parliamentary representatives. We will protest against further compliance with the Trump administration in any form including state visits or other activities that may encourage or normalise its actions.
Rev'd. Jo James, Rev'd. Peter Hewis, Rev'd. Lynne Readett, Rev'd. Margaret Kirk, Rev'd Sue Wooley, Rev'd. Anna Jarvis, Rev'd. David Usher, Rev'd. Jim Corrigall, Rev'd. David Steers, Rev'd. Adam Slate, Rev'd. Arek Malecki, Rev'd.Stephanie Bisby, Rev'd. Chris Goacher, Rev'd. Kate McKenna, Rev'd. Andi Phillips, Rev'd. Elizabeth Harley, Rev'd. Feargus O'Connor, Rev'd. John Carter, Rev'd. Winnie Gordon, Pastor Kath Forder, Rev’d. Lewis Rees, Rev'd. Sheena Gabriel
