EKB News

On October 14, faith leaders from diverse traditions gathered at the Capitol Rotunda in Frankfort to announce the formation of the Kentucky Faith Communities Immigration Coalition, a statewide coalition of religious and community organizations committed to welcoming immigrants, which has gathered more than 2000 supporting signatures. Rev. Nancy Jo Kemper, Executive Director of the Kentucky Council of Churches, Rev. Charles Knox, Pastor, Iglesia Nueva Vida, Rev. Eliseo A. Mejia-Leiva, Associate Director of Latina/Hispanic Ministries, Kentucky Annual Conference of the United Methodist Churches, Austin Tuning, leader in the Epsicopal Church, Juan Pérez, a local immigrant from Honduras, and Richard Mitchell of the Lexington Friends Meeting spoke about the commitment of their faith communities to carry out God's call to welcome the stranger in our midst.The religious leaders discussed the growing commitment of people of faith to the need for humane and respectful dialogue around such a controversial issue. Rev. Nancy Jo Kemper, Executive Director of the Kentucky Council of Churches stated, "To be clear: this is a very complex issue, that requires careful thought, legislation that is just and fair and that embodies our best traditions as Americans such as valuing the family unit and our national ideals." The council will be meeting later this week and plans to pass a new social creed, vowing to "honor the dignity of every person."Richard Mitchell added, "As people of faith, we are deeply concerned about the direction our country is moving on immigration and how this debate will shape the country we become. We can no longer remain silent. For this reason, Kentucky Faith Communities Immigration Coalition is excited to be a part of a growing movement of faith groups who are taking a stand."Leaders discussed the increased engagement of faith traditions new to the issue. Rev. Charles Knox said, "The evangelical church is waking up – although a little behind the initiative of our Catholic brothers and sisters – evangelicals in Kentucky are recognizing the importance to resolve the issue of immigration wisely, promptly, and by acknowledging the value and dignity of the immigrant community all around us."To demonstrate this commitment, members of Kentucky Faith Communities Immigration Coalition drafted and circulated a petition to raise awareness in their places of worship, collecting in a few short weeks over 1800 pledges of Kentuckians committed "to support laws that affirm [immigrants'] dignity, preserve their families, and acknowledge the value of their presence among us." The diversity of this coalition is represented by signers of various faith traditions - Jewish, Methodist, independent Christian, Episcopalian, Quaker, Catholic and Presbyterian - as well as from across the state, in cities such as, Lexington, Louisville, Sebree, Frankfort, Bardstown, Paris, Harlan, Edmonton, Beverly, and many other Kentucky communities.