In a poignant and stirring call to action, Bishop Rob Hirschfeld of the Episcopal Church in New Hampshire has captured national attention by urging clergy members to brace themselves for a potential “new era of martyrdom.” This stark warning came during a vigil in memory of Renee Good, who tragically lost her life on January 7 after being shot by an officer from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The incident involving Good, which took place while she was in her car, has been met with controversy. The Trump administration justified the ICE officer’s actions, claiming the shooting was in self-defense as the officer found himself in front of Good’s moving vehicle. However, this account has faced criticism from various officials, including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, especially in light of video evidence that has surfaced.

Bishop Hirschfeld, in his address, drew parallels to historical figures within the clergy who have sacrificed their lives to protect others. Among those he mentioned was Jonathan Daniels, a New Hampshire seminary student, who was fatally shot by a sheriff’s deputy in Alabama in 1965 while bravely shielding a young Black civil rights activist.

“I have informed the clergy within the Episcopal diocese of New Hampshire that we might be entering a similar period of witness,” Hirschfeld stated. “I have urged them to put their affairs in order and ensure their wills are prepared, as it may no longer be a time for mere words, but for us to physically stand as a barrier between worldly powers and the most vulnerable among us.”

“I have told the clergy of the Episcopal diocese of New Hampshire that we may be entering into that same witness,” Hirschfeld said. “And I’ve asked them to get their affairs in order, to make sure they have their wills written, because it may be that now is no longer the time for statements, but for us with our bodies, to stand between the powers of this world and the most vulnerable.”

Hirschfeld did not call for violence, but instead said people of Christian faith should not fear death.

“Those of us who are ready to build a new world, we also have to be prepared,” he said. “If we truly want to live without fear, we cannot fear even death itself, my friends.”

Other religious leaders have also called on Christians to protect the vulnerable amid the uptick in immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, including Most Rev. Sean W. Rowe, the presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church.

“We keep resisting, advocating, bearing witness and repairing the breach,” Rowe said during a prayer earlier this week. “We keep sheltering and caring for those among us who are immigrants and refugees because they are beloved by God, and without them, we cannot fully be the church.”

In Minnesota, Rt. Rev. Craig Loya urged people not to meet “hatred with hatred” but instead focus on love in “a world obviously not fine.”

“We are going to make like our ancient ancestors, and turn the world upside down by mobilizing for love,” he said. “We are going to disrupt with Jesus’ hope. We are going agitate with Jesus’ love.”