The heads of three Lutheran denominations have issued a joint statement in response to President Trump’s recent remarks about his desire to acquire Greenland, sending “Greenlandic people our full support in an unusually difficult situation.”
Trump stepped up his rhetoric over the last few weeks, reiterating America’s desire to acquire it and stating that taking the country by force if they did not acquiesce to his desire to join was not off the table.
Surprisingly, the statement was not a full-throated rebuke of the president and his expansion plans, as one might expect from these progressive denominations, but rather is simply more geared in support of the Greenlandic bishop.
To our dear siblings in Christ,
As the national bishops of Lutheran churches in the United States, Canada and Denmark, we wish to send the Greenlandic people our full support in an unusually difficult situation. We pray for and encourage our own congregations and people to pray for and stand with Greenland and the Greenlandic people who want to maintain their independence. We pray for peace and respect between nations.
We unreservedly support the Church of Greenland and Bishop Paneeraq Siegstad Munk, whose statement has been quoted in several media outlets: “This is a question of human rights, dignity, and respecting international laws and treaties. We are a small people, but we are not invisible. Our future is not something to be decided over our heads. We have language, culture, ancestors, children, and a future tied to this place. We are people, not property. Greenland is not land to be bought. It is our home and it is not for sale” (Christian News, Jan. 14).
The Church of Greenland works closely with dioceses in Denmark and plays an active role in international affairs as a member of the World Council of Churches, the Lutheran World Federation and other organizations. We wish that this close cooperation will continue and bring joy and benefit to the people of Greenland.
We invite you to write to your elected leaders and tell them to respect the independence of Greenland and the Greenlandic people.
The statement is signed by:
The Rev. Dr. Larry Kochendorfer,
National Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
The Rev. Yehiel Curry,
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Rt. Revd. Henrik Stubkjær,
Bishop of Viborg
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark
2 responses to “Canada, Denmark, U.S. Lutheran Bishops Issue Joint Statement Regarding Trump Vs. Greenland”
If only they could respect the citizens and borders of the USA the way they respect the citizens and borders of Greenland.
Gotta love that they respect treaties and laws. However they were advocates of totalitarianism during Covid. Hypocrisy at its finest……