“He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” – Micah 6:8 (NRSVue)
For more than 219 years, the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church has stood as The Freedom Church—a people shaped by the liberating power of the Gospel and committed to justice, dignity, and the sacred worth of every child of God. In regard to the US Supreme Court, it compels us to speak with clarity and conviction in response to the Supreme Court’s ruling in Louisiana v. Callais.
This ruling, which concerns the authority of states to redraw electoral districts and the standards by which those districts may be challenged, carries profound implications for representation, voting rights, and the protection of marginalized communities. As followers of Jesus Christ, we affirm that the law of God and the law of love must guide the conscience of the nation. Scripture teaches, “Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law” (Romans 13:10, NRSVue). When legal decisions risk weakening the voice of vulnerable communities or diminishing equitable representation, the Church must raise its prophetic voice.
We acknowledge the constitutional authority of the Supreme Court. Yet we also affirm that no earthly court is above the moral law of God, and no ruling is exempt from ethical scrutiny. The prophets warn, “Ah, you who make iniquitous decrees, who write oppressive statutes” (Isaiah 10:1, NRSVue). Jesus Himself declared that the weightier matters of the law are “justice and mercy and faith” (Matthew 23:23, NRSVue).
The A.M.E. Zion Church cannot ignore the specific and disproportionate impact this ruling may have on African American communities, particularly in states with long histories of racialized voter suppression.
In Louisiana, African Americans make up a significant portion of the population yet historically have been placed into districts that weaken their collective voting power. When legal standards for challenging such maps are narrowed, it becomes harder for Black communities to secure, fair representation, competitive districts, elected officials who reflect their lived experiences. This echoes past injustices where African Americans were counted but not represented.
From Reconstruction to Jim Crow, from literacy tests to modern gerrymandering, African Americans have repeatedly faced barriers designed to limit their political influence. These ruling risks reinforcing those patterns by making it more difficult to challenge discriminatory maps, allowing states greater latitude to draw districts that minimize Black political power and weakening the protections intended by the Voting Rights Act.
Without strong legal pathways to challenge unfair districting, African American communities may face, fewer opportunities to elect candidates of choice, greater political isolation and policies that do not reflect their needs or protect their rights.
This is not merely a political concern; it is a moral and spiritual one.
The A.M.E. Zion Church has always stood with those whose voices are threatened or suppressed. From Reconstruction to Jim Crow, from poll taxes to modern voter suppression, our people have fought to ensure that every child of God is counted, valued, and represented. We therefore view any ruling that risks weakening fair representation—intentionally or unintentionally—as a matter requiring prayerful vigilance and moral concern.
As The Freedom Church, we therefore:
• Stand with communities whose political voice may be weakened or diluted
• Affirm the sacred right of every citizen to fair and equitable representation
• Call for transparency, justice, and accountability in all redistricting processes
• Reject any interpretation of law that diminishes human dignity or restricts God-given freedom
• Encourage civic engagement, advocacy, and the protection of voting rights for all
We remind the nation that legal authority does not replace moral responsibility. Throughout history, unjust laws have been challenged by people of faith who refused to bow to systems that contradicted the heart of God. From slavery to segregation, from discriminatory voting practices to inequitable districting, the A.M.E. Zion Church has stood on the side of righteousness, declaring with the prophet, “But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream” (Amos 5:24, NRSVue).
In this moment, we call upon elected officials, community leaders, and people of faith to work together for justice, equity, and the protection of every person created in the image of God. We urge the Church to remain steadfast in prayer, courageous in witness, and unwavering in its commitment to the Gospel of liberation.
We pray for healing in our land, for wisdom among leaders, and for the courage to pursue justice with humility and love. Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us.
Your Servants in Christ,
This 5th Day of May, in the Year of Our Lord 2026
The Board of Bishops of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
Bishop Eric L. Leake, President
Bishop Darryl B. Starnes, Senior Bishop
Bishop W. Darin Moore
Bishop George D. CrenshawBishop Hilliard Dogbe
Bishop Uduak U. Effiong
Bishop Brian R. Thompson
Bishop Daran H. Mitchell
Bishop Anthony Witherspoon
Bishop Melanie Rogers Miller, Secretary
Bishop Dwayne A. Walker
Bishop Bernando Ngunza
Bishop Seth O. Lartey, Located
Bishop Joseph Johnson, Retired
Bishop Marshall H. Strickland, Retired
Bishop Nathaniel Jarrett, Jr., Retired
Bishop George W.C. Walker, Sr., Retired
Bishop S. Chuka Ekemam, Sr., Retired
Bishop Warren M. Brown, Retired
Bishop Kenneth Monroe, Retired
Bishop Dennis V. Proctor, Retired
Bishop Michael A. Frencher, Sr., Retired
