Holy Family Kept In 'ICE Detention' Cage At Indiana Church

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — Days after a series of #FamiliesBelongTogether rallies to protest U.S. immigration policies — namely, that of separating children from their parents and claims that children and detainees have been kept in cages — an Indianapolis church is sending a message. In response to the Trump administration's "zero tolerance" policy, Christ Church Cathedral has placed Nativity statues of Jesus, Mary and Joseph normally reserved for Christmas displays on the church lawn, inside a chain-link "cage."

"Last evening we revealed our #EveryFamilyIsHoly campaign, designed to bring awareness to the humanitarian atrocities from our nation’s 'zero tolerance' immigration policies on the border and here in Indianapolis," dean and rector Stephen Carlsen said in a statement.

Carlsen said the holy family — who, according to the Nativity story, sought refuge but were turned away when there was "no room at the inn" — was "held in detention."

The church said is making a point:

Holy Scripture is clear about how we are to treat people trying to find safety for their families—we are to show mercy and welcome them. Jesus, Mary and Joseph were homeless and fled danger to seek asylum.

The Holy Family today calls us to stand with all families seeking safety and a future for their children. We will not stand by while children are being taken from their parents, and families are being taken from our communities and congregations.

People of good will and faith must not allow this to continue. We must not be divided by race, language or culture, but reach out to care for our neighbors—because every family is sacred.

That statement comes days after nationwide demonstrations and more than a week after President Donald Trump signed an order to end a family separation policy.

On the church's Facebook page, some offered praise for the political statement. "This is beautiful. Thank you," wrote one person. Another wrote, "I agree - every family is holy."

But others were full of criticism. "What's your answer for children being trafficked across the border? Catch and release?" one said. "Your display is intellectually dishonest," another wrote, adding, "Joseph took his family to his homeland for a census. They were not refugees ... Border control is lawful, moral and necessary. It stops drugs, weapons, human traffickers."

Photo via Christ Church Cathedral