This is the statement Bishop Scott Mayer issued in response to recent actions taken by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
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I am writing to express how deeply disturbed I am by the actions of Attorney General Ken Paxton and Governor Greg Abbott in their attempts to define medical care for transgender and non-gender conforming children as child abuse, an action aimed at parents, medical teams, teachers, and all who care for these children.
These children, like all human beings, are created in the image of God, and deserve the full respect and dignity accorded to all humanity. Further, these children are among the most vulnerable among us, with hate crimes, suicide, and murder rates among transgender and non-gender conforming people being significantly higher than other groups. Texas is among the states with highest number of violent attacks on transgender people, according to the Transgender Law Center. To bring the power of the state into play against these children and their families is unconscionable.
Responsible parents all wish for their children to become what God created them to be. It is part of our duty of love and care for their mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical health. Moreover, in journeying with Jesus, we meet all manner and kinds of people, just as he did in his time on Earth. And like him, we are called to sit with them and love them just as God created them.
The Episcopal Church welcomes all of God’s children into the healing arms of God’s love. We do so because we are commanded to love one another as God loves us. We believe that, enfolded and empowered by this love, wounds can be healed, fears overcome, and all people brought to the wholeness for which God created us.
The Episcopal Church will continue to welcome transgender and non-binary people and those who love and care for them. As we promise in our Baptismal Covenant, we will seek Christ in all persons — no matter their gender identity.
Please pray for these children, their families, and all those who care for them.
O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us
through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole
human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which
infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us;
unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and
confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in
your good time, all nations and races may serve you in
harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.