Visas denied for two conference speakers

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NEWTON, Kan.—Visas were denied for two of the speakers for a gathering of women of color titled “Encountering the Face of God” and hosted at Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Ind., Oct. 5-7.

The two women were Ofelia Garcia of Mexico City and Sidonie Swana Falanga of Kinshasa, Congo. Falanga works with women theologians in Democratic Republic of Congo, and Garcia has worked alongside Alix Lozano of Colombia to explore Anabaptist theology with Latinas.

The conference—organized by Mennonite Church USA, Mennonite Central Committee U.S., Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary and Mennonite Women USA—provided a space for Mennonite racial/ethnic women to gather and  explore Anabaptist theology.

Mennonite Church USA Executive Leadership has been writing letters of protest to the State Department expressing concern over the situation.—Mennonite Church USA

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