Topeka — Three Protestant bishops Monday called on Kansans to reject "demagoguery" in the current debate over illegal immigration.
The letter from the bishops was distributed as Kansas lawmakers consider proposals that supporters say will slow down illegal immigration.
Bishop Scott Jameson Jones, of the United Methodist Church, Kansas area; the Rev. Gerald Mansholt, bishop of the Central States Synod, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; and the Rt. Rev. Dean E. Wolfe, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas - urged compassion for illegal immigrants.
The bishops said illegal immigrants are benefiting the economy of the United States, which depends on their labor.
"The laws we have do not reflect the demographic and economic reality of our country," they said.
"We as Bishops, in ministry, call upon all our parishioners and all Kansans to reject demagoguery that is spreading its own kind of fear and terror," they said. "We insist on a more hopeful vision, for our state and nation."
Their letter includes references to the Bible to protect and respect those who are different, including undocumented workers and their families.
The bishops make no specific reference to current proposals before the Legislature.
Some of those include making it illegal for employers to knowingly hire illegal immigrants and requiring them to use E-Verify, a federal database to check whether a person has a valid Social Security number. In addition, some lawmakers are pushing for repeal of a 2004 law allowing some illegal immigrants to pay in-state tuition rates.
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georgeofwesternkansas (anonymous) says…
Last time I checked seperation of church and state ment the the government will establish no national religion (i.e. church of England). All citizens have the right to be active in politics, reguardles of their profession.
kansanjayhawk (anonymous) says…
Certainly the "Religious leaders" would want to have a rule of law in our country??? Or--would they--this looks like just more liberal agenda from the "religious left". No one is anti-emigrant we simply want a balance in the total numbers. Why should illegals go ahead of people from around the world who have stayed in line and followed the law? Just another example of good intentions blinding people from reality!
Bettybb (anonymous) says…
He may comment as a private individual. If he comments as a church leader he has crossed the line and the church should be taxed.
It is time to start enforcing the separation of church and state.
If the church is so keen on providing for illegal aliens, let them pay for it. LOL. It will never happen.
And I think it is only fair that we send out engraved invitations to all the people around the world to come on in - illegally, and not to worry, the US churches will support them! The paper todays said at least 500 million people from India would love to come to the USA.]
fetch (anonymous) says…
kubacker & Bettyb: These people do invest in health care, significantly. Check it out:
http://www.ummam.org/
And you idiots (madmike and bettyb) talking about separation about church and state need to re-read your tiny-print constitutions. Your understanding is laughable.
75x55 (anonymous) says…
Well, good on these bishops. Law enforcement should be done for the right reasons, and not as a tool of popular prejudices.
I'm just as sure that the good bishops will work diligently in their sphere of influence to help these illegal immigrants to see the sinfulness of their illegal actions and assist them in their repentance and return to their native country in order to begin the proper legal process for immigrating.
ASBESTOS (anonymous) says…
SB 458 will not see daylight from the Senate Committee unless we organize as have the below pro illegal organizations
Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association
Kansas Association of Realtors
Kansas Building Industry Association
Kansas Chamber
Kansas Contractors Association
Kansas Cooperative Council
Kansas Dairy Association
Kansas Farm Bureau
Kansas Grain and Feed Association
Kansas Livestock Association
Kansas Manufactured Housing Association
Catholic Charities
Kansas - National Federation of Independent Business
Kansas Restaurant and Hospitality Association
Kansas Society for Human Resource Management
Kansas Soybean Commission
Associated Builders and Contractors - Heart of America Chapter
Associated General Contractors - Kansas City Chapter
Associated General Contractors of Kansas Builder's Association
Home Builders Association of Greater Kansas City
Garden City Area Chamber of Commerce
Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce
Leawood Chamber of Commerce
Lenexa Chamber of Commerce
Liberal Chamber of Commerce
Northeast Johnson County Chamber of Commerce
Ottawa Chamber of Commerce
Overland Park Chamber of Commerce
Southwestern Association Travel Industry Association of Kansas
Wichita Independent Business Association
Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce