Liberal Church Elites Attack Backers of New Arizona Immigration Law

Washington: April 30, 2010, (PCTV Newsdesk)

Calling attempts by state and local authorities to address illegal immigration "misguided and divisive," liberal religious elites are slamming the supporters of a new immigration enforcement law in Arizona. The law instructs police to check the immigration status of individuals whom they detain and who give reason to believe they might be in the country illegally.

Arizona Episcopal Bishop Kirk Smith declared: "With the Governor's signing of SB 1070, it seems that for now the advocates of fear and hatred have won over those of charity and love."

Evangelical Left Sojourners chief Jim Walls, president of the liberal Christian group Sojourners, referred to the law as "a social and racial sin" as well as "mean-spirited."

National Council of Churches relief arm Church World Service chief John McCullough derided the legislation as "reactionary and hateful" while National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference President Samuel Rodriguez used the term "xenophobic" and called for a "multi-ethnic firewall against the extremists in our nation."  

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