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| Phoenix Convention Center courtesy City of Phoenix |
PHOENIX 2013
and the Ghosts of
1898
In choosing to maintain Phoenix, Arizona,
as the location for the national Mennonite Church – USA conference, over the
objections of many in the Hispanic, immigrant and pro-LGBTQ Mennonite
community, church leaders have resurrected age-old conflicts and divisions that
have often haunted those in the Mennonite diaspora since the first national
conferences beginning in 1898.
In 2011, Iglesia
Menonita Hispana, MC-USA’s Hispanic identity, confronted the national
church over the then-scheduled Phoenix Convention for 2013. Iglesia
was concerned about recent Arizona legislation putting Hispanic and minority or
immigrant Americans at risk for being detained by Arizona law enforcement
officers and being forced to carry and demonstrate proof of legal
citizenship. At risk were numerous
Mennonites in the United States who lack proper citizenship papers, not just
those of Hispanic culture.
Iglesia
was concerned about the risks MC–USA was asking Latino Mennonites to endure
in order to travel to Phoenix.
Responding to MC-USA’s decision, Iglesia
responded that it was “hurt by the
symbolic message this sent to Latino Mennonites,” and that it would not
participate in the conference. (Sarah
Thompson, Christian Peacemaker Teams).
“In order to stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters who
are undocumented, we choose to stand with them and advocate on their behalf
before the church and government, and also choose to abstain from attending the
2013 convention if held in Phoenix. If the Phoenix site is chosen, we
will bless the people who will be attending the event and will continue to
pray. While we are blessing the people and the event, it does NOT mean
that we endorse the location. We would also ask that ANY staff or board
member (of any ethnicity) that would choose not to attend the convention if
held in Phoenix be allowed to do so without question.” (quote from IMH letter
of Dec 2011)
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| Members of the Iglesia Menonita Hispana board and other leaders at IMH’s May 3–4 “Celebrating Immigration” event: Gilberto Cortéz from Oregon, IMH Board; Soledad López from Pennsylvania; Stanley Green of Mennonite Mission Network; Samuel López, IMH moderator from Pennsylvania; David Maldonado, IMH moderator-elect from Florida; Madeline Maldonado, IMH director of finances from Florida; Leona Diener, board member from Texas; Juanita Nuñez, board member from Florida; Tania Guzman, board member from New York; Nicolás Angustia, board member from New York; Juan Montes, California board member, and Rafael Barahona, Mennonite Education Agency. (Photo: Rafael Barahona) courtesy MC-USA. |
As early as 2010, other groups voiced their
support for Iglesia noting that they share
in a common cause.
