Religious Leaders Unite In Newark To Oppose Mass Deportations

NEWARK, NJ — Dozens of religious leaders from across New Jersey gathered in Newark earlier this week to support immigrants and decry the mass deportations that are expected to happen when Donald Trump takes over the U.S. presidency.

The event – held at St. Lucy’s Church – included participation from Cardinal Joseph Tobin and more than 35 local clergy members from different faiths.

“We’re deeply concerned about the potential impact of mass deportation on children and families,” Tobin said.

“Within the Catholic tradition and other faith expressions represented here today, we’re able to see the humanity in everyone,” the archbishop said. “We care for the most vulnerable — children, the poor, the orphans, and yes, the immigrants.”

Tobin outlined four core actions that faith communities are taking to show solidarity with immigrants: encounter, accompaniment, prayer, and advocacy. These actions include “listening to immigrant stories, walking with families in solidarity, welcoming them into faith communities, and advocating for policies that protect them from harm.”

The event also featured speeches from two immigrants, who described how many people in their communities are terrified to leave their homes because they are afraid of being arrested.

This called attention to the importance of protecting “sensitive locations” — places such as schools, churches and hospitals — from immigration enforcement actions, advocates said.

The gathering included an interfaith service in which representatives from various religions each offered a prayer. As part of the ceremony, attendees were invited to write down the first names of immigrants they know and place them on a collection of rocks, a tribute that comes from the Jewish tradition. A prayer then took place that “immigrants will find peace during this period of uncertainty.”

“We must show our love and respect for our immigrant brothers and sisters,” Tobin urged. “That is what we are modeling today for our communities across the region and country.”

The bilingual interfaith event was organized by Faith in New Jersey and Faith in New York, and local federations of the national advocacy nonprofit Faith in Action, in collaboration with the Archdiocese of Newark.

The archdiocese serves 1.3 million Catholic residents in Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Union counties.

• See Related: NJ Immigrants Need More Protection From Trump, Activists Tell Governor

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