Interfaith Council condemn separation of families

To the Times: We, the Interfaith Council of Southern Delaware County, condemn the separation of children from their parents at the borders of our country. Though we are relieved that this practice has ceased, moving forward, we remain deeply concerned and troubled for the 2,300-plus children already affected. At the heart of all our faith traditions is the centrality of the family unit. Regardless of political affiliation, any policy that supports this practice is unequivocally cruel and must be decried. It denies the fundamental needs of truly vulnerable people. The trauma inflicted on them – including infants – may already be irreversible. Every tradition represented in our diverse interfaith council affirms a commitment to love our neighbors and to care for “the least among us.” As people of faith, we cannot stand idly by; we must speak and we must act. Our Interfaith Council will be hosting a “Families Belong Together” vigil in the town center of Swarthmore on Saturday, June 30, at 2 p.m.; all are invited to stand together, to pray, and to strengthen our united voice against these reprehensible and immoral actions. The Interfaith Council of Southern Delaware County provides a forum for interfaith dialogue on matters of mutual concern. It is our mission to cultivate relationships of trust and solidarity among religious leaders in order to enable a public witness that draws upon our deepest religious values. Rev. Sukja Bang, Swarthmore United Methodist Church Deacon Beth Barkhau Reformation Lutheran Church, Media Rev. Marcie Brozyna, Presbytery of Philadelphia Rev. Jennifer L. Casey, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Wallingford Mary E. Chollet, Director of Ministry, St. John Chrysostom Parish, Wallingford John Fedock, representing Swarthmore Buddhadharma Group Rev. Peter A. Friedrichs, Unitarian Universalist Church of Delaware County, Media Rev. Alina S. Gayeuski, Reformation Lutheran Church, Media Rabbi Jeremy Gerber, Congregation Ohev Shalom, Wallingford Rev. Edward J Hallinan, St John Chrysostom Catholic Church, Wallingford Jennifer Karsten, Executive Director of Pendle Hill Quaker Center, Wallingford Rev. François Lacroix, Wallingford Presbyterian Church Imam Haneef Mahdi, Masjid Mustaqeem/The Islamic Center of Chester Rev. Wayne A. MatthiasLong, Reformation Lutheran Church, Media Venerable Amy Miller, Touring Teacher, Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition Rabbi Kelilah Miller, Cantor and Education Director, Congregation Ohev Shalom, Wallingford Jeanne A. Musewicz, Phd., St. John Chrysostom Catholic Church, Wallingford William J. Oberfield, MD, Member of Providence Friends Meeting, Media Mary Lou Parker, Swarthmore Friends Meeting Rabbi Linda Potemken, Senior Rabbi, Congregation Beth Israel of Media Rev. Sarah Cooper Searight, Swarthmore Presbyterian Church Rev. Dr. Joyce U Tompkins, Director of Religious and Spiritual Life and Interfaith Center, Swarthmore College. Priest Associate, Trinity Episcopal Church, Swarthmore Rev. Joyce Shin, Swarthmore Presbyterian Church