wfn.org | [ENS] The Presiding Bishop's Statement on the Immigrant Workers

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

Freedom Ride

9/24/2003

The Presiding Bishop's Statement on the Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride

[ENS] The 74th General Convention of our Church, acknowledging the
urgency of protecting and enhancing the civil and economic rights of
immigrants, called us to "encourage support of the Immigrant Workers
Freedom Ride by educating its members to the importance of immigration
law reform, organizing congregations to support the ride."  In the
spirit of this timely resolution, I urge Episcopalians throughout the
country to support through prayer, advocacy and, where possible,
participation in this nationwide event occurring from September 20
through October 4, 2003.
The Immigrant Workers Freedom Ride was organized on behalf of some of
the most vulnerable and underappreciated members of our society.   This
effort, which involves a cross-section of many thousands of people from
labor, immigrant and civil rights groups, will make the contributions of
immigrants to our common life highly visible.

Historically, the Episcopal Church has been committed to the belief that
extending hospitality to the stranger is a gospel imperative which we
Christians are called to incarnate into our personal and collective
witness. So, as we seek to serve Christ in all persons and strive for
justice, we celebrate the gifts which immigrants bring to our
communities and, in many instances, our congregations.	We rejoice in
the "ever-widening circles of fellowship" that our relationships with
these newcomers provide.

Therefore, it is especially important at a time when the rights of
immigrants are being challenged, that we embrace the Freedom Ride as a
powerful symbol of our shared plea that justice be done for those whose
labor sustains us, whose gifts enrich us, and whose courage inspires us.

The Most Rev. Frank T. Griswold
Presiding Bishop and Primate
The Episcopal Church, USA