New Hampshire Bishop Warns of Martyrdom for Clergy

CONCORD, N.H. — An Episcopal bishop in New Hampshire is catching national attention. Recently, Bishop Rob Hirschfeld urged clergy to finalize their wills and get their affairs in order in light of what he termed a “new era of martyrdom.”

He made these remarks during a memorial vigil for Renee Goode, who was tragically shot and killed by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer while driving on January 7.

The Trump administration defended the actions of the ICE officers, claiming they acted in self-defense as they stood in the path of Goode’s vehicle.

This account has faced skepticism from local leaders, including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who have referred to video footage of the incident.

In his speech, Hirschfeld referenced historical clergymen who risked their lives for others, such as Jonathan Daniels, a New Hampshire seminarian shot dead in Alabama in 1965 while protecting a young black civil rights advocate.

“I indicated to the clergy of the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire that we may face similar risks,” Hirschfeld noted. “I encouraged them to prepare their affairs and, well, perhaps to write their suicide notes because maybe it’s not the right time to simply make statements. Instead, we might need to physically stand between the powerful and the vulnerable.”

While Hirschfeld refrained from calling for any violence, he emphasized that followers of Christ should not fear death. “To build a new world, we must also be ready,” he remarked. “Living without fear means, in a sense, not fearing even death.”

This call for action isn’t isolated. Other religious leaders, such as the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, the Rev. Sean W. Lowe Most, have echoed similar sentiments, urging Christians to stand up for vulnerable communities amid heightened immigration enforcement stemming from the Trump administration.

In a recent prayer, Rowe mentioned, “We keep resisting, advocating, and trying to mend the divide. We must care for immigrants and refugees because they are loved by God. Without them, we cannot be the Church.”

In Minnesota, the Rev. Rt. Craig Loya encouraged people not to respond to “hate with hate” but rather to focus on love amidst a troubled world. “Like our ancient ancestors, we have a chance to transform society through unity in love,” he said. “We aim to offer hope through Jesus, exciting others with His love.”