Statement of solidarity, support for Baptist Churches of Puerto Rico

By Dr. Jeffrey Haggray
July 24, 2019

American Baptist Home Mission Societies (ABHMS) stands in continued solidarity with the Baptist Churches of Puerto Rico (IBPR), and supports their recent statement addressing the present political upheaval caused by harmful statements from Governor Ricardo Rosselio.  The Baptist statement included the following observations, “As a church, we believe that the dignity of all human beings is sacred. People who are democratically chosen to govern our county must be capable of promoting and preserving the dignity of all citizens, including women, obese people, the LGBTTQA community, political adversaries, and those who live plagued by poverty. It is unacceptable that our highest government officials, amid a crisis, chose to focus on manipulating public opinion instead of focusing on finding the necessary resources for the people. Corruption is equally unacceptable.”

IBPR proceeded to call upon Rosselio to resign, stating, “It is because of this; we join the people’s cry for him to renounce his position as governor of Puerto Rico. As Baptists, we believe in the freedom of consciousness and the right to freedom of speech, which is why we support the peaceful manifestation of the people.”

ABHMS offers its prayers and unqualified support for the stance taken by IBPR and pledges our continued support for the people of Puerto Rico during this time of rebuilding, renewal and healing.

The entire communication from IBPR:

He who oppresses the poor insults their Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors Him. Proverbs 14:31

In light of what has happened in our country, it becomes impossible to keep silence.

The people of Puerto Rico are going through one of the most difficult times in our modern history. The aftermath of hurricanes Irma and Maria together with an already precarious economic situation, the fiscal crisis of the government, the violence, and unemployment added to recent arrests of high officials who served in areas pertinent to education and health and the governor’s expressions with a group of his most intimate collaborators. All of this has disheartened the people.

We stand by the opinion that the expressions within that chat go against the Puerto Rican people’s values. As a church, we believe that the dignity of all human beings is sacred. People who are democratically chosen to govern our county must be capable of promoting and preserving the dignity of all citizens, including women, obese people, the LGBTTQA community, political adversaries, and those who live plagued by poverty. It is unacceptable that our highest government officials, amid a crisis, chose to focus on manipulating public opinion instead of focusing on finding the necessary resources for the people. Corruption is equally unacceptable. Corruption impoverishes and affects the quality of life of everyone in the country, but especially the lives of the most vulnerable. We need that those who want to work for the people, come to serve and not to be served.

We invite the governor to reflect and to act placing the country’s best interest over his own. We acknowledge that the governor has asked for forgiveness and our Savior JesusChrist calls us to forgiveness, but we also recognize that true repentance must be accompanied by actions that demonstrate it. On the other hand, granting forgiveness does not deliberate from facing the consequences of your actions. The pattern of behavior of the governor disqualifies him to continue leading our country.

It is because of this; we join the people’s cry for him to renounce his position as governor of Puerto Rico. As Baptists, we believe in the freedom of consciousness and the right to freedom of speech, which is why we support the peaceful manifestation of the people.

We invite our community to join in prayer for all people who have found themselves directly affected by the expressions of the governor and his group of friends. We ask for prayer for the people of Puerto Rico who have suffered yet another blow and who shall continue to suffer the repercussions of that hit. We ask for wisdom for those who in light of the current events are preparing to make decisions that will impact the future of Puerto Rico. Let us pray as well, for the governor and his family who are also probably facing one of the most difficult times in their lives.

Dr. Jeffrey Haggray is executive director of American Baptist Home Mission Societies.