World News
Help given to immigrants affected by Iowa raid called faith in action
Published: May 18, 2009
POSTVILLE, Iowa (CNS) -- After the first anniversary observance of the immigration raid in Postville May 12, Archbishop Jerome G. Hanus of Dubuque said he hoped the event would show the world that faith in Christ ended in action. "We're hoping to show that we take the words of our Scriptures very seriously," he said, "to treat the alien in your midst like your brother or sister, and that when you receive the alien, the foreigner, you are welcoming Christ." A year to the day federal agents descended on Agriprocessors, the town's largest employer and biggest industry, and arrested 389 undocumented immigrant workers, people of all faiths and walks of life gathered in solidarity to show support for those most affected by the raid. More than 650 people attended a day of remembrance at St. Bridget Church. The day's observance began at 10 a.m., the time the raid began. Bells around the town tolled once for each arrested worker. Catholic, Protestant and Jewish religious leaders joined Archbishop Hanus at St. Bridget for a 4 p.m. interfaith prayer vigil and solidarity walk to the Agriprocessors meatpacking plant.
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