Imigracao nos Estados Unidos

The Free Lance-Star

The Rev. Ronaldo Da Silva, pastor of International Christian Church in Farmers Branch, Texas, is thinking of moving his church if his members feel unwelcome there.
Tom Fox/Dallas Morning News

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By JEFFREY WEISS AND STELLA M. CHAVEZTHE DALLAS MORNING NEWS

Date published: 2/24/2007

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He was quick to say, however, that his church doesn't favor a particular position on immigration or political party. He and his members do pray for the city's leaders and the decisions they make, he said. And they believe in following the law even if they don't agree with it.

But he also notes that the people affected by the ordinance are often the most vulnerable in society.

"They seek refuge in church because many have left their family behind," he said. "The church is their family."

Church members agree. At a recent Bible study, they talked about their faith in God, which helps them not to be afraid.

"We confide in God," said Maria Valadez, 24. "We pray that God changes things for the better."

Prayer is also what the Rev. Chris Seidman has offered his congregation. Seidman is senior minister at Farmers Branch Church of Christ. His congregation of about 1,900 includes three Farmers Branch City Council members--including the man who first suggested the ordinance.

But the members are hardly of one mind on the issue, Seidman said. They're not even all of one language--the church is preparing to offer live Spanish translations of its services via headsets.

"We have people who are members here ranging from people in civil service and community leaders to people who are not yet citizens," he said.

Seidman agrees that religious leaders are obligated to speak out on public policy. The teachings of his faith reach every "scope and arena of life," he said. "It is incumbent on me as a servant of [God's] kingdom to understand the implications of what it means and to help others within the church to understand what it means."
SEEKING GOD'S WILL

And yet, he has not preached about the ordinance. Partly that's because he understands the arguments on both sides--the need for compassion and the need for law.

And partly, he said, he hasn't figured out where God's will lies.

"I didn't want to run with a message I hadn't been sent with and I didn't want to speak until I was spoken to," he said.

Support for immigrants is something that Grahmann--and the Catholic Church in general--have embraced for decades.

In April, the bishop spoke at the gigantic pro-immigration rally in downtown Dallas. The demonstration started at the Cathedral Shrine of the Virgin of Guadalupe, and the bishop addressed the crowd in Spanish and English.

"We welcome the opportunity to voice our support for all of our people to become part of the American dream," he said