From the Desk of Bishop Héctor: Endorsement of political candidates

By UNY Communications

Editor's Note: The following message was sent to United Methodists of Upper New York on Tuesday, August 5, 2025 on behalf of Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez regarding the endorsement of politican candidates or parties.   

“My kingdom is not of this world [Jesus].”  John 18:36 

Dear partners in ministry,  

Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ, our only Lord.  

In this complex and demanding season of ministry, I write with deep gratitude for your steadfast witness and servant leadership. Your perseverance and grace-filled presence within your communities embody the spirit of Galatians 6:9: “Let us not grow weary in doing what is right…” 

As political rhetoric rises and recent IRS guidelines sharpen attention on the role of churches in partisan discourse, I reaffirm our covenant and the wisdom of our Social Principles. The United Methodist Church affirms: “While we do not believe churches should affiliate with political parties, we do encourage churches to speak out boldly on social issues from a gospel perspective. We further believe churches have a right and responsibility to educate and equip their members to be effective advocates for justice in the wider world” (2024 Social Principles ¶163.A).

To protect the integrity of our mission and keep our witness firmly anchored in the teachings of Christ, I strongly urge all United Methodist clergy and congregations in the Susquehanna and Upper New York Area to refrain from endorsing political candidates or parties in the name of the Church. As individuals we should engage the democratic process, but our pulpits and church platforms must never be used to promote partisan ideologies. This is not a retreat from public engagement, it is a call to faithful, prophetic witness shaped by the Gospel. 

As followers of Jesus Christ, we are not partisan, but we are deeply committed to the well-being of the people and communities we serve. We hold governments and elected leaders accountable through the lens of Scripture and our distinctive United Methodist heritage. I encourage you to continue addressing the urgent challenges facing our society—including racism, white supremacy, Christian nationalism, greed, abuse of power, hate, violence, xenophobia, poverty, and environmental degradation—with clarity, courage, and compassion. 

As Paul reminds us in 2 Timothy 1:7, “God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power, love, and self-control.”  

Thank you for embodying that spirit.  

With gratitude and faith, 

Bishop Héctor A. Burgos Núñez 

The United Methodist Church Serving the Susquehanna & Upper New York Area