Lutheran (ELCA) Ping!
Posted on 05/22/2008 8:17:43 AM PDT by SmithL
he Rev. Steven L. Ullestad, bishop, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Northeastern Iowa Synod, Waverly, and Ralston H. Deffenbaugh Jr., president, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, Baltimore, expressed concern about the impact of immigration enforcement raids on children and families in a May 20 statement submitted to the U.S. Congress and entered into the Congressional Record.
The statement is in response to the May 12 federal immigration raid at a meat processing plant in Postville, Iowa, where federal agents arrested more than 310 men and 76 women working at the plant. "Adults were immediately separated from their children and families," said the statement. Ullestad and Deffenbaugh called the raid "the largest of its kind in U.S. history."
Ullestad and Deffenbaugh urged Congress to "exercise rigorous oversight of workplace raids" to ensure that while U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement addresses concerns of national security it mitigates the sociological and economic impact and emotional trauma on a community; communicates and works closely with community social services and pastoral care workers to mitigate trauma among children, families and communities; facilitates access to legal counsel; does not transfer people out of the area but releases them from custody to attend hearings outside of detention; and develops communication mechanisms that allow family members and lawyers to locate those in detention.
"The impact on Postville underscores the need for comprehensive reform of immigration policy. The immigration law needs to protect children and unite families, safeguard human rights and worker rights, enable marginalized undocumented people to come out of the shadows and to live without fear, and provide a path to permanence for those who have put down roots," the statement said.
According to the Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop, the "impact of the immigration raid on Postville's community is similar to what would have happened if the town had been hit by a natural disaster. As a result of the raid, families have been separated, children are traumatized and a once thriving community is devastated."
"Our immigration law is badly broken and in desperate need of reform," said Hanson.
A little something to distract the ELCA from its homosexual marriage crusade.
“Lutheran Leaders Express Concern Over Impact of Immigration Raids { ELCA }”
Don’t like it, turn in your tax exempt status.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2019706/posts
Pastor sentenced in illegal immigrant visa scheme
I am so happy I left this dispicable cult!
If these workers had a lick of sense, they’d realize that they could be picked up at any time, because they are breaking the law, and they should make provisions for that event...just as people who are smart prepare for a natural disaster if they live in Tornado Alley or the Gulf Coast hurricane belt.
But the purpose of this soppy PR release is just to get the ELCA some brownie points with the msm for “caring.”
Rev. Steven L. Ullestad and Ralston H. Deffenbaugh Jr. are obviously part of the problem. A little RICO action against these aiders and abettors of illegal immigration ought to do wonders.
They are like the select few Freepers who would rather spend their time trashing conservative Christian sects (Mormons and traditional Catholics being two of their favorite targets) than actually contribute anything constructive.
I'd be willing to bet that one pastor of a conservate Christian evangelical sect in my community does far more for the third world (they send teachers and missionaries to build schools and churches and give the locals a reason for hope) than any of these self-appointed "Pastors" of American social reconstruction.
I’m an independent, fundamental Baptist – and I’m more Lutheran than the ECLA.
ping
All illegal aliens should be deported. Ullestad and his comrades should be more concerned with the danger these illegal aliens pose to the US.
Me, too. The quicker they die, the better.
Like other New World Order operatives and hangers-on, “mainline” protestant mis-leaders want to turn the US into a Third World country, while maintaining imperial ambitions. That’s the REAL reason for this pronouncement!
They can protest all they want that their concern is compassion for the (illegal) workers and their families and communities, but we know better!
Church leaders should concern themeselve first and foremost with the Holy Gospel, enacted in true Christian worship, and with building sound Christian parishes, both old ones and new ones. Then God Himself will show them service ministries that they ought to pursue. He always has done so, starting from Penetecost 33 AD! That’s a lot better than taking their cues from the antichrist NWO!!!!
I hope you mean that you want the institution of the ELCA to die quickly, NOT the people.
I want the people to be saved, and come to the knowledge of the truth. We all should lovingly pray and work together with God (as we are able) for that.
Absolutely. I’m so sorry I wasn’t more clear. I definitely meant the institution of the ELCA.
me too. My dad fled in the late 70's early 80's and made us all leave with him. Went to the AFLC.
Funny, I thought this was a function of the government, not the Church. Two kingdom theology and all.
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