I imagine that many readers were horrified to see the news of Burundian Unitarian minister Fulgence Ndagijimana being arrested and held by police. (UUA International blog) The #ReleaseRevFulgence hashtag is laudable, but I have a bit more faith in interceding with God and the Burundian ambassador.
Here’s the letter I’m sending; you’re welcome to crib from it. And quickly.
His Excellency Ernest Ndabashinvze
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Burundi
2233 Wisconsin Avenue N.W., Suite 408
Washington, D.C. 20007
Your Excellency:
I learned today that a brother minister, the Rev. Fulgence Ndagijimana, of the Unitarian Church of Burundi (Eglise unitarienne du Burundi) in Bujumbura was taken into police custody around November 17, and also that members of his church are being harassed by police.
I was horrified to hear this news, and generally about the unrest in your country. Ours is a peace-loving religion, resting on a deep foundation of mutual respect. So, I respectfully ask that you do whatever you can to have the Rev. Fulgence Ndagijimana released from prison, and to have the police stop intimidating or harassing the Unitarians of Burundi.
I join hundreds of thousands of fellow believers around the word in petitioning you to help.
Sincerely yours,
(The Rev.) Scott Wells
Unitarians have peaceful views. We believe in the afterlife, helping others in need, loving all irrelevant of creed, and never judging someone based on their beliefs. Ours is a peaceful religion and we ask that our beliefs and fellow followers not be attacked simply for being different.
Thanks for this, Scott. I just sent off a letter.
The world is watching ; release him