Immigration Resources: Theological Study

• The House of Bishops of the Episcopal Church issued a Pastoral Letter and Theological Resource in September on immigration. Both the letter and the Theological Resource, The Nation and the Common Good: Reflections on Immigration Reform: A Theological Resource on Migration and Immigration from the House of Bishops of The Episcopal Church, Phoenix, Arizona, can be accessed online. The Bishops’ Theological Resource has multiple links in it for additional reflection.
• The Episcopal Church, at General Convention 2009, passed B006, on Immigration: Economic Justice Implications. The full resolution can be accessed online.
• Texas Bishops call for immigration reform: On October 15, 2010, five bishops in Texas (from the Roman Catholic, Episcopal, ELCA, United Methodist and Presbyterian churches) issued a call for “humane immigration reform.” Their full statement can be accessed online.
• The Episcopal Church’s Office of Government Relations issued a statement in April 2010 calling for comprehensive immigration reform following the passage of Arizona’s immigration bill. The statement can be found online.
• In addition, the Office of Government Relationshas three other resources on immigration:
     A brochure on Immigration and Refugee Policy that can be used in parishes.
     An Interfaith Platform for Humane Immigration Reform, issued in 2009, calling on Congress to enact humane
     immigration reform.
     The Alien Among You: An Immigration Advocacy Network, a newsletter published in 2009 that is filled with facts,
     myth-busting information, and updates.
  

• The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (www.elca.org) passed its Social Policy Resolution on Immigration in 2009. The entire text can be found online.
• An Advent Devotional on immigration, entitled Strangers Among Us, is offered by United Methodist Reverend Larry Jent, It can be found online.
• A Pastoral Reflection by The Rt. Rev. Paul S. Loverde of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington, entitled Immigration and our Common Dignity.
• The Jewish Community Council of Greater Washington issued a Resolution on Immigration in 2008.
• In 2009, more than 70 national denominations and organizations, as well as 145 local organizations, congregations, dioceses and religious orders, and hundreds of individuals, called on Congress to enact humane immigration reform. Their statement can be found online.