Minnesota Bishop Launches Groundbreaking Fund for Migrants and Refugees

Minnesota Bishop Craig Loya has launched a new fund to support migrants and refugees across the diocese. The initiative, announced on 6 February, already includes contributions from over 100 individuals. Its goal is to assist congregations working with recent immigrants and fill gaps in existing services. The fund began with a $10,000 donation and has since attracted widespread local backing. It will help congregations develop or expand programmes for migrants, partnering with other organisations where needed. The diocese's migration caucus has also compiled resources to guide these efforts.

Seven congregations in the diocese now count immigrants as the majority of their members. Four of these are predominantly Latino, while two others have a significant immigrant minority. Bishop Loya has urged Minnesotans to pray for refugees and displaced people, sharing a special prayer for the cause. The move comes as Episcopal Migration Ministries scales back its operations after federal funding for refugee services was cut. Bishop Loya has also backed The Episcopal Church's lawsuit against the Trump administration. The legal action challenges immigration arrests at churches and other 'sensitive' locations.

No other US diocese has publicly announced a similar fund or sought partnerships since Bishop Loya's initiative. The Minnesota fund remains the only known programme of its kind in current records. Its focus stays on direct support for congregations and their migrant communities.