BISHOP BRUNO ADDRESSES CLERGY ON IMMIGRATION ISSUES
April 4, 2006
To the clergy and lay leaders of the Diocese of Los Angeles:
We find ourselves at a pivotal point in this country’s history. The debate on immigration reform has heightened our own awareness of what our response must be as Christians. Our church has been clear that a holistic, comprehensive immigration plan is called for, and that we must be a people who respond with compassion.
You have by now had the opportunity to read my letter to the Los Angeles City Council dated March 8, 2006, in which I urged them to oppose an Immigration Reform Bill proposed by in the House of Representatives by Congressman Sensenbrenner of Wisconsin (to read the full text of the letter visit file://www.episcopalnews.com/ and scroll down the page). To refresh your memories, H.R. #4437 calls for criminalization of the 11 million undocumented workers and family members now in the United States. I am writing to you now because the provisions of H.R. #4437 could become law and if so, the lives of millions of people---in fact, all of us---will be negatively impacted.
Our immigrant families would be physically separated and emotionally destroyed, the economies of the countries to which they send back their remittances would collapse, and our own economy would be seriously affected, causing more and more horrendous and needless suffering. The bill would also criminalize any person who assists an illegal immigrant in any way, including charitable work such as providing food or clothing. This would directly affect many of the works of this diocese as well as the ministry of our congregations.
Our faith tradition calls us, through our sacred scriptures, to welcome and embrace the strangers in our midst, for in them we see the face of Christ. This is defined in our sacramental life. Our Baptismal Covenant asks of us:
“Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself? Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?”
And we have promised:
“I will, with God’s help.”
We who are ordained are all deacons first. The Examination at our diaconate ordination instructed us:
“In the name of Jesus Christ, you are to serve all people, particularly the poor, the weak, the sick, and the lonely.
You are to interpret to the Church the needs, concerns, and hopes of the world.
At all times, your life and teaching are to show Christ’s people that in serving the helpless they are serving Christ himself.”
The Sin of Racism: A Call to CovenantA Pastoral Letter from the House of Bishops of the Episcopal ChurchMarch 2006
In this same light, Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold issued a statement last week calling for Congressional action that is “just and humane,” adding that "as Christians, we are called to remember the Gospel mandate to extend hospitality to the stranger. As Episcopalians we embrace a baptismal covenant which requires that we seek and serve Christ in all persons. It is primarily for these reasons that we ask the Senate to reject those measures now before it which are essentially punitive and impractical." His statement notes further that "basing national policy on fear of the stranger and a rejection of those newcomers whose gifts we need is in conflict with the teachings of the Gospel." (For the full text of Bishop Griswold’s remarks, visit www.episcopalchurch.org/ens).
This past Monday, in what might be described as a miracle, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved a comprehensive bill to be offered to the full Senate that is more “just and humane,” that would allow people to enter the United States legally, and offer opportunities for citizenship for those who are already living and working here. But while we mark that day as a success, the challenge has actually become greater. In the two weeks before Congress’ scheduled Easter break, the full Senate is expected to debate the immigration issue, possibly working with two competing bills: the newly-amended proposal from the Judiciary Committee, and one from majority leader Bill Frist (R-TN) which retains the enforcement provisions called for in the House of Representatives bill.
Please call the office of Senator Dianne Feinstein today and thank her for supporting a fair immigration bill this week. Ask her not to waver in the face of anti-immigrant sentiment, but to continue to work for the passage of the bill that she helped produce in the Judiciary Committee. The phone number for Senator Feinstein’s office at the Capitol is 202.224.3841. Please call instead of e-mailing or writing: phone calls have greater immediate impact.
The Center for Community Change has called on the faith leaders who attended the Capitol Hill rally on March 27 to participate in a national Day of Action for Immigrant Rights on April 10. Leaders in each city will be encouraged to plan events for that day to show support for what they see as more appropriate immigration reform. I am calling on the people of this Diocese to mobilize, to be a strong presence for justice at this event – here in Los Angeles as well as in other counties and cities around our diocese. An interfaith march is scheduled from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Monday, April 10, beginning at La Placita Church at 535 North Main Street, Los Angeles, and ending at the Federal Building on Los Angeles Street. As we receive more information we will pass it on to you.
If all goes as anticipated, we will have “next steps” information available for the clergy of the diocese when we gather for the Renewal of Vows on Tuesday, April 11.
Finally, my brothers and sisters, if the more severe bill becomes law, I ask the clergy of the Diocese of Los Angeles to be ready to disobey it. The work of the Gospel comes first.
Your brother in Christ,
The Rt. Rev. J. Jon Bruno
Bishop of Los Angeles
March 8, 2006The Honorable Eric Garcetti, President of the Los Angeles City Counciland Honorable Council membersCity Hall, Los Angeles, CA
Dear President Garcetti and Members of City Council:
I write this letter to you with a heavy heart because I see a great and irrational fear overtaking our country in relation to the issues surrounding homeland security, and an outcome of this fear is making scapegoats of millions of members of our immigrant population with measures reminiscent of the rounding-up of Japanese immigrants in this city during World War II or the hatred and blame cast at the Jewish community prior to the horrors of the Holocaust. I am writing about HR4437, and I am asking you, as our City Council, to declare your opposition to this bill
Dear friends, we pride ourselves with a tradition and history of compassion around the world with those less fortunate than ourselves, and, yet within our own borders, we contemplate the criminalization of 11 million undocumented workers, classifying them (men, women, children, seniors) as aggravated felons. I am a Bishop in a faith tradition that calls us, through our sacred Scriptures, to welcome and embrace the strangers in our midst, for in them we see the face of Christ. The Baptismal Covenant of the Episcopal Church asks, “Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself? Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?” Those to be baptized answer, “I will, with God’s help.”
Do you realize the implications of this bill will also criminalize organizations and individuals assisting undocumented immigrants? The majority of these organizations are churches, synagogues, and mosques helping our brothers and sisters, who have come here from horrible conditions, at great risk, to make their lives better and to contribute to the fabric making up the mosaic of this great city and others like Los Angeles. Do you realize the economy of this City would collapse if this bill passed?
Immigration reform is needed, but not this bill. Please exercise your responsibility as our elected officials by standing up against this inhumane bill titled HR 4437.
s/s The Rt. Rev. J. Jon Bruno Bishop of Los Angeles
No comments:
Post a Comment