There’s a section of my book about lynching devoted to the complicity of white church leaders. So let me ask the obvious question: what are white preachers and Catholic priests saying in their services this morning about Wednesday’s deadly attack on our democracy.

After Matthew Williams was lynched in Salisbury, the pastor of Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church reportedly “did not believe this was the proper time to address his audience” on the lynching as “the community had suffered a strain.” http://www.beacon.org/On-the-Courthouse-Lawn-Revised-Edition-P1401.aspx

After George Armwood was lynched in Princess Anne, MD the pastor of the of the Manokin Presbyterian Church announced before Sunday his intention to “refer to violence in the community...w/o reference to the death of Armwood.” http://www.beacon.org/On-the-Courthouse-Lawn-Revised-Edition-P1401.aspx

The point is that when mob violence unfolds, when white supremacy flourishes,when democracy unravels, we must not forget the role of our institutions in supporting, encouraging, aiding or standing silent in the face of the threats. White evangelical churches must be accountable.