"Alabama's Anti-Immigration Law may brand Christians as criminals," Episcopal, Methodist and Roman Catholic bishops and the Catholic Archbishop of Mobile say in Federal Court.
The bishops say the law will criminalize even "administering of religious sacraments." The anti-immigration law runs counter to the Christian spirit of compassion. The law is unconstitutional and a direct affront to the recognized and accepted word of God. "If enforced, Alabama's anti-immigration law will make it a crime to follow God's command to be Good Samaritans," the bishops say. The law is slated to take effect Sept. 1.
The bishops add that Alabama's anti-immigration law criminalizes church activities such as providing transportation, shelter, food and education to congregants in need. "Churches do not check the immigration status of members or individuals receiving services but know, or have significant reason to suspect, that many of the persons they serve are, or are likely to be, undocumented," according to the complaint. The bishops say the law "will prohibit Alabama's churches from performing marriages and baptisms, operating day cares and housing facilities, transporting residents, and performing other services due to fear of criminal prosecution from conducting any business with individuals assumed or suspected of being undocumented." Source here!
