Top Level Leaders from Different Faiths Recommit to Defending Those at Risk and Supporting Family Unity
The Trump administration released Executive Orders to move forward mass deportations, detentions and raids that will tear families and communities apart. In a statement from the Department of Homeland Security, the Trump administration rescinded “Sensitive Locations” policies that placed limits on immigration enforcement houses of worship, hospitals and schools.
Top level faith leaders from many faiths and denominations are committing to the work of the Sanctuary Movement to stop deportations, respond to raids and support family unity. Looking to their sacred texts and faith traditions, religious leaders are declaring a moral vision to welcome immigrants and love of neighbors, rather than the extreme discriminatory policies rolled out by the Trump administration. These faith leaders, including Bishops and organizational presidents are denouncing mass deportations and expressing the need to accompany immigrant communities through creating networks of protection in houses of worship.
QUOTES:
Rev. Dr. Alexia Salvatierra, Academic Dean, Centro Latino, Fuller Theological Seminary said, “As an evangelical leader, my first allegiance is to Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. While I recognize the authority of institutions, I must obey God above man. This means ministering to and with all people as Jesus would, regardless of their immigration status -- or any other characteristic.”
Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño, Chair of the United Methodist Council of Bishops Immigration Task Force stated, “As people of Christian faith, we affirm the dignity, worth and rights of immigrants, documented and undocumented. We have witnessed that they are particularly vulnerable to exploitation, violence, and abuse with few protections. We urge one another to welcome immigrants into our lives and communities of faith providing them with concrete support, including helping them with navigating restrictive and often lengthy immigration policies, and assistance with securing food, housing, education, and employment. The sanctuary of solidarity with our immigrant siblings is an action of faith and moral conscience that protects their humanity and ours as well.”
“In the Hebrew texts, people of faith are urged to seek justice for the widow, the orphan, and the newcomer – some of the most vulnerable people in society. The texts also talk about cities of refuge that people could go to for safety and due process. In our context today of a world exhibiting increasing hostility to migrants and refugees, how do we practice scriptural hospitality and seek justice with and for some of the most vulnerable of society? Sanctuary offers us a roadmap; it offers a space of safety as we search for ways to expand our imagination in seeking justice with our neighbors. The Reformed tradition has always emphasized the importance of faithfully acting in society based on our scriptural, theological values. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) recommits to the work of compassion, of accompanying migrant and immigrant siblings, as we together seek ways toward full dignity and safety for all persons,” added Rev. Jihyun Oh, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and Executive Director of the Interim Unified Agency.
"According to rabbinic literature, the primary sin of the biblical city of Sodom was xenophobia and abuse of foreigners. Today, the Trump administration's cruel anti-immigrant policies will tear apart families and communities and turn the U.S. into a modern-day Sodom, where injustice masquerades as rule of law," said Rabbi Jill Jacobs, CEO of T'ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights. "Jewish leaders are more committed than ever to the crucial work of sanctuary. We will stand with our neighbors to stop mass deportations."
Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, Director, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, said: “As Reform Jews, we raise our voices against the cruel realities of mass deportation and family separation. We read in Genesis that not only did Abraham and Sarah allow three guests to enter their tent, but also ran towards them and prepared them a meal, modeling the spirit with which we should embrace those seeking refuge. As people of faith, we must fight for and model a world in which love and compassion for all prevails.”
“We affirm the dignity and rights of migrants, immigrants, and refugees and we support Churches who have made a commitment to gracious hospitality for those who are fearful and vulnerable.” Bishop Julius Trimble, General Secretary of the United Methodist Church General Board of Church & Society.
Bishop Matthew Heyd, Episcopal Bishop of New York added, “We’re all created in God’s image. Every day our communities across New York open their doors to care for everyone. We offer sanctuary by creating communities of safe belonging that keep our neighborhoods safe, too.”
“We affirm that all persons are created by and are valued in the eyes of God, and we affirm the teaching of Scripture to welcome the stranger, and to ensure the dignity of all people,” added Rev. Terri Hord Owens, General Minister and President of Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada. “Immigrants are our neighbors, church members and friends. Providing sanctuary protection and assistance is important to many of our congregations as we seek to be a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world and bear witness to God’s limitless love for all."
“Our God calls us to treat foreigners in our midst as if they had been born among us. The Bible showcases the stories of displaced people who were consistently helped by God. It is my hope that we would walk in the same manner.” said Dir. Sandy Ovalle from Sojourners.
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