Thread: N.J. bishop travels to D.C. to discuss immigration

N.J. bishop travels to D.C. to discuss immigration
Monday, September 29, 2008

Bishop Roy Riley was one of some 30 bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) who recently traveled to Washington, D.C., for a bishops advocacy conference.

The three-day event included briefing sessions on key policy issues and meetings with members of Congress from nearly all 50 states.

Riley, joined by Lutheran Office of Governmental Ministry Director Bruce Davidson, met with Senator Robert Menendez and New Jersey Representatives Donald Payne, Rush Holt and Albio Sires. During a special session that focused entirely on immigration issues, Riley and several other bishops met with U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren, of California, chair of the Immigration Subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee.

Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service President Ralston Deffenbaugh also was present for this meeting that deliberated on such topics as immigration reform, detention, treatment of asylum seekers, and the impact of workplace raids on families.

"Lutheran congregations, pastors and bishops across the country witness every day the devastating effects of a broken immigration system - fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters not coming home from work and being shipped to far-flung detention facilities, families seeking shelter in local churches, school children afraid of being separated from their parents," said Deffenbaugh. "When families are being torn apart and entire communities are living in fear, we must rise above the rhetoric and ensure that our laws reflect America's values. It is imperative that our Lutheran voices are lifted to counter the current climate of fear."

Meetings with congressional representatives also focused on affordable housing, Middle East concerns, climate change and alternative sources of energy. "Because Lutherans are known and deeply respected for state, national and global work in affordable housing, refugee resettlement, and anti-poverty initiatives, our conversations with government leaders begin at a strong level of respect and appreciation," Riley said. "We learned a great deal and we were able to provide information from the places where national and global issues impact local communities. We also reminded the government officials that we pray for them regularly in the challenging work they are called to do."

Riley is bishop of the New Jersey Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), with 185 congregations across the State of New Jersey. Riley has served as bishop since his election in 1991. From 2003-2007 he served as the chair of the ELCA Conference of Bishops. The New Jersey Synod Office is located at 1930 State Highway 33, Hamilton Square, NJ 08690.

www.nj.com

Meeting with open-border zealot Zoe Lofgren. Go figure.

The govt should really yank churches tax exempt status for meddling in politics like this.

Hide your kids DC here come the dirty robes again