Clergy and religious leaders of the Texas and Southwest Network of the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF) Organizations have written a letter to President Obama and the U.S. Congress about the children and mothers crossing the border. Among the signers is Rev. Monte Mashall, our senior pastor. Please read their statement below on the border crisis. The Network of Texas IAF Organizations July 28, 2014 Dear President Obama and Members of Congress, We are distressed by the cries of the young mothers, children and adolescents now detained under terrible conditions at our southern borders. Moreover, we suffer with them. We remember that in many ways, our own government policies have contributed to the untenable conditions now driving the refugees to our gates. They are refugees fleeing the drug and gang wars in homelands that currently boast the highest murder rates in the world. Our current treatment of these children violates our integrity as a nation and as people of faith: “... show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart.” (Zechariah 7:9-10.) Instead, we strongly urge the following three measures: 1. That the existing law, the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2008, which applies to children who arrive at our borders, not be weakened or abrogated. Those who come to us seeking refuge should not be returned to their home countries without being given due process, which would assure that they will not be returned to child traffickers or to the hands of those who would murder them. Once deemed safe, the refugees could return to their homes. 2. Anyone under the age of eighteen who has survived the perilous trip north must have an attorney, and must never be subjected to expedited processing. These children know they can be killed for speaking out against the gangs, and they have no familiarity with our legal system. To permit the expedited deportation of unrepresented children is unconscionable. 3. Those who would meet the religious needs of the children and families must be allowed access to the U.S. Border Patrol detention facilities and religious, human rights and civic groups must be allowed access to the U.S. Office of Refugee Resettlement shelters for unaccompanied minors. Community leaders can and should provide humanitarian support to the overwhelmed detention centers and shelters. We take seriously our government’s concerns for national security and the orderly control of immigration affairs. However, the solution does not lie in punishing the children. We must welcome our brothers and sisters. Respectfully, The undersigned Clergy and Religious Leaders of the Texas and Southwest Network of Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF) Organizations TEXAS Bishop Mark Seitz, Catholic Diocese of El Paso, El Paso Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza, Archdiocese Galveston-Houston, Houston Bishop Ray Tiemann, Southwestern Synod ELCA, Seguin Bishop Kevin S. Kanouse, Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod ELCA, Dallas Bishop Michael Rinehart, Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod, ELCA, Houston Bishop Andrew Doyle, Episcopal Diocese of Texas, Houston Bishop Dena Harrison, Episcopal Diocese of Texas, Houston Bishop Jeff Fisher, Episcopal Diocese of Texas, Houston Bishop Rufus Kyles Jr, Texas Southeast First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, Church of God in Christ, Houston General Presbyter Mike Cole, Presbytery of New Covenant, Houston Rev. Ruben Armendariz, Acting Executive Presbyter, Mission Presbytery, San Antonio Rev. Charlie Cropper, Bethany Presbyterian Church, San Antonio Rev. Rob Mueller, Divine Redeemer Presbyterian Church, San Antonio Rev. Robert Woody, Episcopal Church of Reconciliation, San Antonio Sr. Miriam Mitchell, General Superior, Convent of the Holy Spirit & Mary Immaculate, San Antonio Rev. John Feagins, La Trinidad United Methodist Church, San Antonio Rev. Paul Ziese, MacArthur Park Lutheran Church, San Antonio Rev. Bart Roush, Madison Park Presbyterian Church, San Antonio Rev. Traci Smith, Northwood Presbyterian Church, San Antonio Rev. Walter D’heedene, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, San Antonio Sr. Gabriella Lohan, Sisters of the Holy Spirit & Mary Immaculate, San Antonio Rev. Steven Gamez, St. Philip of Jesus and St. Henry Catholic Churches, San Antonio Rev. Michael DeGerolami, St. Timothy Catholic Church, San Antonio Rev. Charles Fredrickson, The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, San Antonio Rev. Jane Patterson, The WorkShop, Episcopal Diocese of West Texas, San Antonio Rev. John Lewis, The WorkShop, Episcopal Diocese of West Texas, San Antonio Rev. Monte Marshall, Travis Park United Methodist Church, San Antonio Rev. Kelly Allen, University Presbyterian Church, San Antonio Rev. Lorinda Driskill, Trinity Episcopal, Anahuac Rev. Daniel Kelley, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Arlington Rev. Beth Magill, All Saints Episcopal, Austin Rev. Brian Peterson, Assention Lutheran ELCA, Austin Rev. Rev. Joseph Moore, Central Presbyterian, Austin Rev. Tom VandeStaadt, Congregational Church of Austin, Austin Rev. Chuck Freeman, Director, Texas Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry, Austin Rev. Chris Jimmerson, First Unitarian Universalist, Austin Rev. Rev. John Wright, First United Methodist Church, Austin Rev. James Lee, New Covenant Fellowship, Austin Rev. Lydia Hernandez, New Covenant Fellowship (ret.), Austin Rev. Fred Krebs, Prince of Peace Lutheran ELCA, Austin Rev. Victoria Mason, San Francisco de Asis Episcopal, Austin Rev. Catherine Leuba Wright, St Davids Episcopal, Austin Rev. Lisa Saunders, St James Episcopal Church, Austin Rev. Tim Anderson, St John/San Juan ELCA, Austin Rev. Rev. Paul Escamilla, St. Johns United Methodist Church, Austin Rev. Elizabeth Zarelli Turner, St. Marks Episcopal, Austin Rev. Catherine Leuba Wright, St. Michaels Episcopal, Austin Rev. Janne Alro Osborne, St. Michaels Episcopal, Austin Rev. Nancy O. Ricketts, St. Michaels Episcopal, Austin Rev. Milton S Jordan, United Methodist Church (retired), Austin Rev. Susan Sprague, United Methodist Church (retired), Austin Rev. John Elford, University United Methodist Church, Austin Rev. Kate Rhode, Wildflower Unitarian Universalist, Austin Rev. Vicki Greenlee Knipp, Austin Rev. Lisa Stolley Hines, Calvary Episcopal, Bastrop Rev. Nancy DeForest, St. Stephens Episcopal, Beaumont Rev. Pat Ritter Ritchie, St. Stephens Episcopal, Beaumont Rev. Ken Ehrke, Cathedral of Hope Mid-Cities, Bedford Rev. Jose R. Torres, OMI, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Brownsville Rev. Anthony OConnor S.M., San Felipe de Jesus Catholic Church, Brownsville Rev. Timothy Paulsen, OMI, St. Eugene de Mazenod Catholic Church, Brownsville Rev. Msgr. Heberto Diaz, St. Mary Mother of the Church Catholic Church, Brownsville Rev. Matthew Wise, Episcopal Student Center Texas A&M, College Station Rev. Mary Lenn Dixon, St. Thomas Episcopal, College Station Rev. Rhoda Montgomery, St. Thomas Episcopal, College Station Rev. Paulette Williams Magnuson, St. Martins Episcopal, Copperas Cove Ms. Linda Hutchings, United Methodist Women Central TX Conference, Crowley Rev. Cheryl Walenta Gorvie, Bethany Lutheran Church, Dallas Ms. Jai Kristen Brisbon, Lumin Education, Dallas Rev. Cruz Calderon-Hernandez, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Dallas Rabbi Amy Ross, Temple Emanu-El, Dallas Rabbi Asher Knight, Temple Emanu-El, Dallas Rabbi David Stern, Temple Emanu-El, Dallas Rabbi Debra J. Robbins, Temple Emanu-El, Dallas Rabbi Kimberly Herzog Cohen, Temple Emanu-El, Dallas Rev. Donald R. Parish Sr., True Lee Missionary Baptist Church, Dallas Rev. David B. Batchelder, West Plano Presbyterian Church, Dallas Rev Ken Ducre, Christ the Savior Catholic Church, El Paso Rev. Richard Frank, Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, El Paso Rev. Kati Houts, Metropolitan Community Church, El Paso Rev. Rolando Fonseca, San Juan Diego Catholic Church, El Paso Rev. Tony Celino, Santa Lucia Catholic Church / Vicar General, El Paso Rev. Juan Heredia, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, El Paso Rev. Shannon Collis, St. Francis on the Hill Episcopal Church, El Paso Rev. Ed Carpenter, St. Josephs Catholic Church, El Paso Rev. Richard Frank, St. Patricks Catholic Church, El Paso Rev. Ed Roden-Lucero, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, El Paso Rev. John Nelsen, El Paso Rabbi Larry Bach, El Paso Rev. Terry McLellan, Faith United Presbyterian Church, Farmers Branch Rev. John H. Will, First Congregational UCC, Fort Worth Rev. Tom Stabile, Fransican Friars of St. Andrew Catholic Church, Fort Worth Rev. Lindsay Woods, Gethsemane Presbyterian, Fort Worth Rev. Armando Alvarado, First United Methodist Church Grapevine, Grapevine Rev. Albert Zanatta, Assumption Catholic Church, Houston Rev. John Ogletree, First Metropolitan Church, Houston Rev. Cathi Cline, Grace United Church of Christ, Houston Rev. David M. Pantermuehl, Grace United Church of Christ, Houston Rev. Uriel Osnaya, Iglesia Episcopal Santa Maria Virgen, Houston Rev. Kevin Collins, OMI, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Houston Rev. Ramiro Cortez, OMI, Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, Houston Rev. Sam Todd, Palmer Episcopal, Houston Rev. Lillian Hyde, St. Lukes Hospital, Houston Rev. Pedro N. Lopez, St. Peters Episcopal Church, Houston Rev. Lisa Hunt, St. Stephens Episcopal, Houston Rev. Robert McGee, Trinity United Methodist Church, Houston Rev. Noel Denison, United Methodist Church (retired), Houston Rev. Gill Keyworth, St. Pauls Episcopal, Katy Rev. Glennda Hardin, St. Stephens, Liberty Rev. Patricia Felter, East Broad Presbyterian Outreach, Mansfield Rev. Shane Whisler, East Broad Presbyterian Outreach, Mansfield Rev. Alfonso M. Guevara, St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church, McAllen Rev. Vicki Greenlee Knipp, St Peter and St Paul Episcopal, Mission Rev. James Hall, St. Johns Catholic Church, Monahans Rev. Wanda Cuniff, Christ Episcopal Church, Nacogdoches Rev. Michael Montoya, MJ, St. Anne Catholic Church, Peñitas Rev. Tom Kesselring, Immanuel Lutheran Church ELCA, Pflugerville Bro. Richard Daily, Brothers of Holy Cross, Round Rock Rev. Dr Joaquin Figueroa, Palm Valley Lutheran Church, Round Rock Rev. Gerald W. Frank, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, San Juan Rev. Tamara Clothier, St. Francis Episcopal Church, Temple Rev. Ashley Cook, St. Paul Episcopal Church, Woodville ARIZONA Sr. Jean Mariani, Santa Catalina Catholic Church, Catalina Rev. Sean Carroll, SJ, Kino Border Initiative, Nogales Rev. Ernie Galaz, St. Andrew’s Episcopal, Nogales Dcn. Marjorie Hrabe, St. Mark’s United Methodist Church, Oro Valley Rabbi John A. Linder, Temple Solel, Paradise Valley Bishop Robert T Hoshibata, Desert Southwest Conference, United Methodist Church, Phoenix Bishop Kirk Smith, Episcopal Diocese of Arizona, Phoenix Bishop Stephen S. Talmage, Grand Canyon Synod of the ELCA, Phoenix Rev. Randy J. Mayer, The Good Shepherd UCC, Sahuarita Dcn. Mark Cesnik, Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Tucson Rev. Stephen A. Springer, Dove of Peace ELCA, Tucson Rev. Linda Hutson, Grace-St. Paul Episcopal, Tucson Rev. Nancy Meister, Grace-St. Paul Episcopal, Tucson Rev. Steve Keplinger, Grace-St. Paul Episcopal, Tucson Rev. Thomas Tureman, SDS, Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Tucson Rev. Delle McCormick, Rincon Congregational UCC, Tucson Rev. Tracy Hughes, Rincon Congregational UCC, Tucson Rev. Edgar Lopez, St. Cyril’s of Alexandria Catholic Church, Tucson Rev. Ronald Oakham, O. Carm, St. Cyril’s of Alexandria Catholic Church, Tucson Rev. Alan Breckinridge, St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal, Tucson Rev. John Kitagawa, St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal, Tucson Rev. Leah Sandwell-Weiss, St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal, Tucson Rev. Paul Buckwalter, St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal, Tucson Rev. Elwood McDowell, Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, Tucson Rev. Lee Milligan, United Church of Christ Pastor, Tucson CALIFORNIA Rev. Susanna Singer, PhD, Church Divinity School of the Pacific, Berkeley Rev. Sharon Mooney, The Chaplaincy Institute, Interfaith Seminary, Berkeley Rev. Robert Hardy, Danville Congregational Church, Dublin Rev. Nora Macias, Casa de Oracio, Assemblies of God, Fairfield Rabbi Robert Graetz, Temple Isaiah, Lafayette Rev. Br. Richard Edward Helmer, BSG, The Episcopal Church of Our Saviour, Mill Valley Rev. Julie Webb, Napa Valley Lutheran Church, Napa Rev. Judy Slater, Presbyterian Church, Novato Deacon John Norris, St. Vincent de Paul Church, Petaluma Rev. Blythe Osner, United Church of Christ, Petaluma, Petaluma Rev. Will McGarvey, Community Presbyterian Church, Pittsburg Fr. John E. Boll, , Sacramento Rev. Scott Clark, San Francisco Theological Seminary, San Anselmo Mr. Jeff Bialik, Catholic Charities, San Francisco Rev. Kate Clayton, San Geronimo Community Presbyterian Church, San Geronimo Rabbi-Cantor Elana Rosen-Brown, Congregation Rodef Sholom, San Rafael Sister Colleen McDermott, Dominican Sisters, San Rafael Sister Marion Irvine, OP, Dominican Sisters of San Rafael, San Rafael Rev. Jan Reynolds, First Presbyterian Church of San Rafael, San Rafael Rev. David Martin, Healthcare Chaplaincy, San Rafael Rev. Carol Hovis, Marin Interfaith Council, San Rafael Rev. Alison Hendley, San Rafael First United Methodist Church, San Rafael Rev. Scott Quinn, San Rafael Rev. George McLaird, Sausalito Presbyterian Church, Sausalito Rev. Paul Mowry, Sausalito Presbyterian Church, Sausalito Rev. Dr. Dawn Roginski, Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity, Vallejo Rev. Pamela Griffith-Pond, St. Pauls Lutheran Church, Vallejo NEW MEXICO Bishop Michael Louis Vono, Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande, Albuquerque Rev. Sue Joiner, 1st Congregational UCC, Albuquerque Rev. Guillermo Yela, Camino de Vida Church, Albuquerque Rev. Carmen Miranda, Camino de Vida/ St Paul Lutheran, Albuquerque Rev. Greg Henneman, Central UMC, Albuquerque Rabbi Harry Rosenfeld, Congregation Albert, Albuquerque Rabbi Arthur Flicker, Congregation BNai Israel, Albuquerque Rev. Karen Hill, First Presbyterian, Albuquerque Fr. Robert Campbell, O.Praem, Holy Rosary Catholic Community, Albuquerque Rev. Trey Hammond, La Mesa Presbyterian, Albuquerque Rev. John Nash, Mesa View UMC, Albuquerque Msgr. Richard Olona, San Martin Parish, Albuquerque Abbot Joel Garner, O.Praem, Santa Maria de la Vid Abbey, Albuquerque Rev. Robert Woodruff, Second Presbyterian, Albuquerque Rev. Catherine Robinson, St. Andrew Presbyterian, Albuquerque Rev. Mary Tyler Browne, UCC (ret.), Albuquerque Rev. Bert Scott, UMC (ret.), Albuquerque Rev. Elizabeth McMaster, Unitarian Universalist, Albuquerque Rev. Janet Norden, University Heights UMC/Central UMC, Albuquerque Rev. Harold Armstrong, First Presbyterian, Hobbs
Posted on: Wed, 30 Jul 2014 19:03:50 +0000
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