November 21, 2014

Friday of Pentecost XXIII

 

 

Dear Partner in Christ,

 

I want to call to your attention the statement released last night (11/20/14) by the ELCA Conference of Bishops in response to President Barack Obama's statement on immigration.

 

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As people of faith and leaders of the church, we support public policy that protects children, reunites families, and cares for the most vulnerable, regardless of their place of birth.

 

The treatment of immigrants is a core religious value. To welcome the stranger is to welcome a child of God. In the New Testament, Jesus tells us to welcome the stranger, for "just as you did it to one of the least of these... you did it to me.'" (Matthew 25:40)

 

Each day in our congregations and in our service to the community, we see the consequences of this broken immigration system: separated families, children returning home to find their parents have been deported, and the exploitation of undocumented workers.

 

By removing the threat of deportation for many people, we are showing compassion for people who have been here for years, working hard to provide for their families, obeying the law, and contributing to the fabric of our community.

 

While today's action addresses a pressing need, it does not provide a path to citizenship, establish policies that prioritize family unity, or create more efficient channels for entry of new migrant workers. Our hope is that congress will address these and related issues, including the practice of family detention, which undermines our values as a people of faith and a nation of welcome.

 

The Scriptures consistently show a significant concern for immigrants:

When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God. (Leviticus 19:33-34)

 

The positive role of immigrants in our history, economy and our community is unmistakable. We support this compassionate first step toward reforming an immigration system that is flawed and requires many of our neighbors to live in the shadows in fear.

 

November 20, 2014

 

Click here to access a PDF document for printing. I also encourage you to review the ELCA's Social Message on "Immigration" adopted in 1998 by the Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. 

 

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In an unrelated matter that is important to us, I also bring you news that on November 13, 2014, the U.S. Court of Appeals, 7th Circuit, acted to preserve the housing allowance exclusion for clergy, following a year-long legal challenge from the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Rather than rule on the issue of constitutionality, the Court determined that the Foundation lacked standing to challenge the housing allowance exclusion and returned the case to the U.S. District Court of Western Wisconsin with instructions to dismiss the lawsuit.
 

Earlier this year, Portico and the ELCA joined with the Church Alliance, representing a cross-denominational coalition of church benefit plans, to file an "amicus" brief that urged the court to uphold the constitutionality of the housing allowance exclusion. For more information, click here.  

 

Yours in Christ,

 + Bishop James S. Dunlop