By Ellie Ritter
Joining other churches in the Atlanta area, the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church (IHM) and the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany (ECE) published rebukes of President Donald Trump’s immigration policies last week.
The IHM statement from Msgr. Albert Jowdy, also known as Father Al, states that the “the separation of immigrant children from their parents is countenanced, much less embraced, by anyone in our nation demonstrates how far we have fallen in common decency and respect for the human person.”
Although the current administration has recently shifted its immigration policies and is no longer separating families, many groups still believe that it is not enough.
“As I told our United States Senators, my representative and the White House when I contacted them last week: A letter like this should not have to be written,” the pastor wrote.
The statement continues, “History will judge leaders who speak of immigrants today as an ‘infestation,’ as history has judged those who used precisely the same language to demonize and scapegoat others during the last century. But it is not history’s judgment that concerns me primarily as a pastor; it is another Judgment.”
Jowdy also lists five ways to protest the policies: prayer, contacting your senators and representatives, contacting Catholic Charities Atlanta to learn about their material/volunteer needs or foster an unaccompanied child, or join the Share the Journey global solidarity campaign at www.sharejourney.org, giving to Catholic Charities USA, where several agencies are assisting unaccompanied children, or learning more about the policies.
Read the full IHM statement here.
The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany also denounced Trump’s policies. In a compilation of letters from Rev. Dr. Sharon Hiers, Rev. Benno D. Pattison, Rt. Rev. Robert Wright and Very Rev. Michael Curry, the church calls the immigration policy “a clear breach of our baptismal vow to respect the dignity of every human being.”
“What is happening to the children on the Texas border is not what Jesus taught when he said to love God and love our neighbor. As a community of faith, we must stand with the oppressed, the children, and we must not make peace with injustice. Lord, have mercy on us,” the statement said.
“For those of us who are Christian, the standard of our conduct and the standard of our life is Jesus of Nazareth, probably one of the most compassionate people whoever walk the face of this earth. This Jesus tells us to love God, to love our neighbor, and that that is the fulfillment of all that God intends, fulfills the law and the prophets,” the Very Rev. Michael Curry, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church, said. “And if that is the teaching of Jesus for those of us who are Christians, we’re bidden to follow that and separating children from their parents is not loving your neighbor.”
This article was originally published at AtlantaLoop.com.
