I have spoken to two Venezuelans, one who is a member of my congregation, and one who is a bishop about the refugee crisis. Both said they would discourage people from their country from trying to reach the US by foot. Better to wait in place for asylum to be granted.
I agree completely that for the Church the focus should be on people who are in need. God is no respecter of persons and the Church should follow suit. From the point of view of those skeptical of the Church, this is one of the things that is wrong with the Church. They wonder why the Church wants to debate policy instead of simply helping those in need. They know enough about the Church to know that there is to be no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female.
Even today, many of the members of my church are disappointed to hear that the doors of the church are locked. Although they know that with mass shooters the protocols have changed, they are saddened. My local police chief, when I first met him, was under the impression that the sanctuary rule still applied to churches. He wasn't sure he had the right to go into a church to arrest someone. He certainly did not want to do that.
The image of the Church as a sanctuary, a hostel, and a hospital still lingers in people's minds. They are often surprised and disappointed that we don't see ourselves that way.
I agree completely that for the Church the focus should be on people who are in need. God is no respecter of persons and the Church should follow suit. From the point of view of those skeptical of the Church, this is one of the things that is wrong with the Church. They wonder why the Church wants to debate policy instead of simply helping those in need. They know enough about the Church to know that there is to be no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female.
Even today, many of the members of my church are disappointed to hear that the doors of the church are locked. Although they know that with mass shooters the protocols have changed, they are saddened. My local police chief, when I first met him, was under the impression that the sanctuary rule still applied to churches. He wasn't sure he had the right to go into a church to arrest someone. He certainly did not want to do that.
The image of the Church as a sanctuary, a hostel, and a hospital still lingers in people's minds. They are often surprised and disappointed that we don't see ourselves that way.