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In a letter to clergy, the Most Reverend Bishop Peter Libasci for the Diocese of Manchester says Catholic parishes should not be working against law enforcement. Libasci stated that the term sanctuary church was being misused by illegal immigration advocates.Thomas Bebbington, spokesman for the Diocese, told Christian Postthat the letter came in response to a meeting with several priests who expressed concerns about increased immigration enforcement.

The Christian Post reports excerpts of the letter to clergy sent by Bishop Peter Libasciregarding the harboring of illegal immigrants and the term "sanctuary church".

Some use this term and mean what I have described above a welcoming community ready to offer immediate aid to anyone in need. In these works, of course, we will always be involved, Libasci wrote in the letter.

But others use this term sanctuary to refer to churches that will allow individuals in fear of deportation to live in the church.

Sanctuary is not a designation recognized by law and provides no such legal protection, Libasci continued.

Instead, immigration law imposes criminal penalties and fines on anyone who conceals, harbors, or shields from detection, in any place, an alien who has come to, entered, or remains in the United States in violation of the law.

In the letter, which the Diocese provided The Christian Post, Bishop Libasci explained that there were two definitions for the term "sanctuary churches" being used.

"Some use this term and mean what I have described above a welcoming community ready to offer immediate aid to anyone in need. In these works, of course, we will always be involved," wrote Libasci.

"But others use this term 'sanctuary' to refer to churches that will allow individuals in fear of deportation tolivein the church."

The bishop went on to state that the latter definition, that of allowing unauthorized immigrants to live within a church, was problematic "because it creates a false hope to tell individuals living in fear that we can protect them from law enforcement actions."

The role that the church will play in the immigration debate is crucial. Many are dividedon President Trump's building of the wall plan and his travel ban. Many religious leaders were the first to signup in protest of the travel ban and tensions run high in cities calling themselves "sanctuaries" for illegal immigrants. One biblical definition of sanctuary is holy place. Perhaps political officials and advocacy groups shouldn't use that word so loosely.

The Christian Post / TRUNEWScontribution.

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Originally posted here:
Catholic Bishop: Church Should Not Harbor Illegal Immigrants - TRUNEWS