On eve of immigration hearing, religious leaders pray for justice

Published: 2006-08-31

OWENSBORO, Ky. (CNS) -- "We do not pray in anger," said Ed Monahan at an ecumenical prayer service in Owensboro the night before a congressional hearing was held in Evansville, Ind., on immigration. "We do not pray in despair," he added. "We pray in hope that all will be treated justly by our laws." The Aug. 29 congressional hearing was one of 21 scheduled throughout the country. It was led by Rep. F. James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., who chairs the House Committee on the Judiciary. Reps. John Hostettler, R-Ind., and Steve King, R-Iowa, were present, as was Rep. John Conyers Jr., D-Mich., the ranking minority member in the House. The hearing's topic was "The Reid-Kennedy Bill: The Effect on American Workers' Wages and Employment Opportunities." Four preselected witnesses gave prepared testimony. No one from the audience was permitted to speak. Monahan, executive director of the Catholic Conference of Kentucky, was one of the speakers at the Aug. 28 evening service at St. Stephen Cathedral in Owensboro. The theme of the service -- "Every Man and Woman Is the Image of God" -- was also the title of a joint pastoral letter of the Kentucky bishops issued Aug. 29.

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