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Statement on Ebola Crisis
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Metropolitan Community Churches (MCC) views the deepening Ebola crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda not only as a global health emergency, but as a profound moral failure driven by systemic global injustices.
We stand in prayerful solidarity with the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda—especially the families who have lost loved ones, those who are ill, and the communities living with uncertainty and fear.
We honour the extraordinary courage and commitment of healthcare workers, community volunteers, faith leaders, and humanitarian organizations who continue to serve on the front lines, often with limited resources and at great personal risk. Their dedication is a powerful reminder that compassion and hope continue to shine even in the midst of crisis.
This outbreak cannot be separated from the broader realities that have shaped the African continent for generations. The legacy of colonialism, armed conflict, economic exploitation, underinvestment in public health systems, and unequal access to healthcare left many communities vulnerable long before an outbreak began. The slow and often inadequate international response to health emergencies in Africa continues to expose troubling disparities in whose lives are treated as urgent and worthy of protection.
We call upon world leaders to quickly deploy emergency medical resources, fund robust healthcare infrastructure, and eliminate the bureaucratic delays that cost human lives.
For too long, religious institutions have been among those who have "passed by on the other side" and looked the other way, remaining silent or absent when their voices and actions were most needed. Now, our voices must be raised.
The parable of the Good Samaritan reminds us that faith is demonstrated through compassionate action. As followers of Christ, we are called not simply to observe suffering, but to respond with mercy, justice, accompaniment, and practical support. The Church must help combat fear, misinformation, and stigma while standing alongside those most affected.
Recent reductions in international development assistance, public health funding, and support for global health institutions have further weakened the world's capacity to respond rapidly and effectively to emerging outbreaks. These decisions have had real consequences for local clinics and humanitarian organizations, many of which continue to face shortages of personal protective equipment, testing capacity, trained personnel, and operational funding. Bureaucratic delays and inconsistent global commitments continue to cost lives.
For generations, international systems have devalued Black and Brown lives, leaving historic inequities in global healthcare access. The slow, inadequate initial response to outbreaks in African nations highlights a devastating double standard in how global health resources are allocated.
MCC therefore calls upon world leaders to urgently deploy emergency medical resources, strengthen international cooperation, fully support the World Health Organization and other public health partners, and invest in resilient healthcare systems that can prevent and respond to future outbreaks. We also call upon governments across the African continent to continue strengthening regional cooperation, investing in public health infrastructure, supporting healthcare workers, and prioritizing emergency preparedness so that African nations are better equipped to respond to future health crises.
As an international church committed to justice and human dignity, MCC also affirms the African value of Ubuntu—the understanding that "I am because we are." An outbreak affecting one nation is a concern for the entire continent and for the global community. Our shared humanity demands a shared responsibility to protect life, especially the lives of those who have too often been overlooked or undervalued.
Healthcare is not a privilege reserved for some; it is a fundamental human right. Every person bears the image of God and is worthy of dignity, compassion, and access to life-saving care. We therefore call upon governments, international institutions, faith communities, and civil society to work together to eliminate the inequities that continue to place African communities at greater risk.
Metropolitan Community Churches stand in solidarity with all those affected by this crisis. We pray for healing for those who are ill, comfort for grieving families, protection for healthcare workers and first responders, wisdom for leaders, and a renewed global commitment to justice, equity, and compassion. May we answer Christ's call to be neighbors to all, ensuring that no community is forgotten and that every life is valued equally.
In Peace, the MCC Council of Elders:
Elder Hattie Alexander-Key
Rev. Elder Mark Byrd
Rev. Elder Nokuthula Dhladhla
Rev. Elder Cecilia Eggleston
Elder Velma Garcia
Rev. Elder Rich Hendricks
Rev. Elder Aaron Miller
Rev. Elder Elaine Saralegui Caraballo
Rev. Elder Stuart Sutherland
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