ELCA Council Approves Social Policy Resolution on Immigration
November 16, 2009
ELCA Council Approves Social Policy Resolution on Immigration
09-259-JB
CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In response to a need for specific policy language
to address current immigration matters, the Church Council of the
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) approved a social policy
resolution on immigration Nov. 14. The resolution, "Toward Compassionate,
Just and Wise Immigration Reform," addresses family and workplace issues,
enforcement of immigration laws, protection of refugees and forced
migration.
The council is the ELCA's board of directors and serves as the
legislative authority of the church between churchwide assemblies. The
council met here Nov. 13-15. Assemblies are held every other year; the
next is in 2011 in Orlando, Fla.
Social policy resolutions address particular matters of social
concern. The resolution supplements a 1998 ELCA message on immigration
and provides policy specifics, said the Rev. Roger A. Willer, director,
Department for Studies, ELCA Church in Society.
"The ELCA has a long history of helping immigrants, refugees and
asylum seekers settle in the United States, and supporting fair and
generous immigration policies," the resolution said. "Social conditions
and historical events in this decade call for renewed attention to
immigration."
http://www.wfn.org/2009/11/msg00107.html