Detroit Archbishop Expresses Support for and Solidarity with Muslims

DETROIT, Jan. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --The archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Detroit, Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron, has expressed his support for and solidarity with Muslim leaders in Southeast Michigan, affirming his opposition to faith-based restrictions to immigration.  In response, the co-chair of the Imams Council of the Michigan Muslim Community Council, Imam Steve Elturk, has thanked the archbishop and the entire Detroit archdiocese "…for standing by the Muslims during such trying times."  For the sake of expediency, Archbishop Vigneron's message was communicated via email on Saturday, January 28.  More formal correspondence will be exchanged between the two religious leaders in the coming days. 

January 28, 2017

Dear Friends,

I wrote to you a little over a year ago to share with you my statement to the priests of our Archdiocese regarding a proposal made during the presidential campaign to restrict Muslim immigration to the United States.  At that time, I reaffirmed my commitment to stand with you in opposing any and all unjust discrimination on the basis of religion.  Today, I reaffirm that pledge.   

Now that a federal government restriction has been placed upon refugees from mainly Muslim countries, I want to bring to your attention, and affirm my solidarity with, a January 27 statement made in Washington, D.C., by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.  Stating strong disagreement with the Executive Order, the bishops say "We believe in assisting all those who are vulnerable and fleeing persecution, regardless of their religion… welcoming newcomers and refugees is an act of love and hope."  Additionally, I call to your attention to a December 9, 2016 statement given by me: "We stand with our immigrant brothers and sisters."

Please know that the Catholic community will continue to speak out and care for immigrants and refugees, no matter their religion or their country of origin.  As I said in my statement last month: "Our local community in metro-Detroit is much richer for the contributions of our brothers and sisters from Mexico and El Salvador, from India and Pakistan, from Iraq and Syria, from China and Korea, from Ukraine and Poland, from Cameroon and Nigeria."

Let us continue to stand together for the common good here in metro-Detroit. 

Sincerely yours,

Allen H. Vigneron

Archbishop of Detroit

SOURCE Archdiocese of Detroit