More than 100 Christian leaders are uniting to call on candidates in the 2016 presidential election to give focused attention to poverty during their campaigns. Among those signing the letters to the candidates are Yale Divinity School Dean Gregory E. Sterling and several YDS alumni.
Announced at a Washington, D.C., news conference on Thursday, the “Circle of Protection” outreach is the project of a coalition comprising leaders of denominations, relief and development agencies, educational institutions, and other Christian organizations. The letters ask both Republican and Democratic presidential candidates to produce video statements on how they propose to provide help and opportunity to hungry and poor people in the U.S. and abroad. The Christian leaders plan to disseminate the videos among their wide networks as part of a public information campaign.
“It is vitally important that our institutions use our influence to focus candidates’ attention on the issues that matter most to us as faith leaders. The wellbeing of people living on the margins is a matter of national and moral concern,” Sterling said. “Given the values of Yale Divinity School, it comes as no surprise to find so many of our alumni among the leaders who are ‘Circle of Protection’ signatories. We stand together.”
Among the other letter signatories are YDS alumni in academic and church leadership positions. They include:
- Geoffrey Black, General Minister and President, United Church of Christ
- Rev. Martin B. Copenhaver, President, Andover Newton Theological
- Richard B. Hays, Dean, Duke University Divinity School
- Riess W. Potterveld, President, Graduate Theological Union
- Jake Schrum, President, Emory and Henry College
- Ronald J. Sider, Senior Distinguished Professor of Theology, Holistic Ministry, and Public Policy, Palmer Seminary at Eastern University
- Javier Viera, Dean, Drew University Theological School
- Sharon Watkins, General Minister and President, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
According to the latest U.S. Census data, 49 million Americans are at risk of hunger, while 45 million live in poverty. One in five children lives in poverty. That is 15 million children, 5 million of them under age 6.
“We are praying for a president who will make ending hunger and poverty a top priority of his or her administration. Are you that leader?” a statement from the group asks. The full statement is available at www.circleofprotection.us.