The Washington National Cathedral looks like a relic of the middle ages, but inside its vaulted doors, it embraces current controversial situations and political issues at their services.
On Thursday, the summer solstice, The Episcopal Church hosted a 12-hour day service, Vigil for Family Unity to draw attention to the plight of immigrant children separated from their families. The church held this event on the longest day of the year to give a glimpse into how long children are deprived of nurture, love and affection from their parents.
Guests were encouraged to light a candle and offer a prayer to the children who are hungry, lonely and scared. The communion was held in the Children’s Chapel, given by parents who lost their 6 year old. The chairs are the perfect size for a 6 year old. The orange kneelers on top of the chairs are needlepointed with little animals parading two by two onto Noah’s Ark. The tiny, simple sanctuary highlighted how much children need guidance and help from the community.
“We will come together as an interfaith community to speak about the importance of family unity, to protest the inhumane treatment of children,” Lisa Webb, Associate Officer for Public Affairs writes on the Episcopal Church website.
According to the Trump administration officials, 2,342 babies and toddlers have been separated from 2,206 parents due to the new “zero tolerance” policy for those who cross the border illegally. The government has been separating 65 children each day since May 2018. Children who are separated are considered “unaccompanied alien children” and sent into the care of the Office of Refugee Resettlement. These children are getting stuck in “tent cities” that are only meant for temporary housing in south Texas.
“While tomorrow we will be focused on the recent separations of families at the border, we must also remember the millions of families who have been torn apart by violence and persecution in the global refugee crisis,” said Rebecca Linder Blachly, director of the Washington, D.C.based Office of Government Relations.
The June 21 vigil follows the international observance of World Refugee Day on June 20, which is intended to raise awareness of the harsh conditions, persecution and treatment refugees face worldwide.
On Tuesday, the National Cathedral’s bishop, Mariann Edgar Budde, joined dozens of female faith leaders outside of the U.S. Customs headquarters in Washington to pray for the of migrant families separated at the borders on the behalf of mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters.
“We will join together with interfaith partners to pray together for an end to this crisis, and to ask all governments to develop humane policies towards migrants.”she told the Episcopal News Service.
This is not the first time the Washington Cathedral has celebrated and adapted new traditions.
According to the Washington Post, in January 2013, the Episcopal Church decided to perform same -sex marriages.
“This national spiritual space is now a place where lesbian, gay, bisexal and transgender people can come and get married,” Rev Gary Hall said.
The church focuses on bringing the community together to worship in a safe, judgement-free zone. The church holds the Canterbury Pulpit, which evokes freedom of speech.
“When it was created it was meant to say, ‘King you do not have absolute power; we have power. From there we evolved our declaration of independence that says, we the people have power and you will govern us only by our consent.” Tony Domenico a Cathedral volunteer said.
The church is continuing to encourage Episcopalians and all people who believe in God to pray for the end to harsh immigration policies and to allow dignity for every person.