Last evening Bishop Barker sent out a pastoral note on the on-going ICE raids in Omaha. You can read the text here.
St. Martin of Tours parish church, at 24th and J (photo above), has been open as a place of prayer and comfort for families and children whose lives have been dramatically affected by these current actions. I have been in frequent communication with Mother Kim Roberts there, and if you would like to provide help, let me know.
As Bishop Barker said, “Immigration management and border security are real and complex issues. As followers of Jesus, we know it is no ‘solution’ to turn away sisters and brothers in desperate need, to demonize particular races and cultures, or to break families apart.”
As you probably know, there is escalating violence in Los Angeles and potentially other cities, and there is a plan for large, peaceful protests in more than 1,800 cities around the country this weekend.
As a Christian, I am saddened that, both as individuals and as a society, we continue to use violence and brutality more and more as the solution to our problems and as our way of life–in this, and in everything. I am grieved that we more and more see and treat fellow children of God as “the other” rather than “the beloved.” To speak plainly about this crisis: Every one of us of voting age should feel ashamed that our immigration policy has been so dysfunctional for so long that it has come to this.
In the days ahead, I ask you to do two things:
Pray. Pray for those, especially children, whose families have been torn apart. Pray for peaceful, productive dialogue between those with different political viewpoints. Pray that no one–not immigrants, not the other political party, not anyone–is demonized and scorned, remembering that you will never look into the eyes of someone God doesn’t love. Pray for our nation.
Pay Attention to Your News Sources. I would ask you to use local, established news outlets for the news you consume–not social media, not mass-marketed and frequently sensationalized national news. For example:
City Commissioner Roger Garcia and City Councilman Ron Hug, who represent the South Omaha community, have recommended The Center for Immigrant and Refugee Advancement (CIRA) for those who are looking for ways to help.
Here is the prayer we have been saying each week at the end of our prayers of the people:
O God, we pray that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart, and especially the hearts of the people of this land, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace. Take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts. Break down the walls that separate us and unite us in bonds of love. Amen.
Fr. Keith+
