The push for immigration reform has united many faith groups in a fervor not seen since the anti-apartheid movement of the 1980s, much of it directed at Arizona’s new get-tough immigration law. Yet a central feature of the apartheid fight — a church-led boycott against South Africa — hasn’t been fully embraced by religious groups who are treading carefully on whether to withhold spending in the Grand Canyon State. “Without any debate, we have come to the same side of this issue,” said the Rev. John Dorhauer, who heads the United Church of Christ’s Phoenix-based Southwest Conference. “We don’t do that when we talk about abortion or gay marriage. Those have been very painful dialogues.” A group of big-name faith leaders from Arizona recently pressed their case on Capitol Hill, telling lawmakers the new bill has already led to racial profiling and a 30 percent drop in attendance among immigrant congregations. United Methodist, evangelical and Catholic leaders continue to work together around marches and vigils. But only members of the liberal UCC have embraced a boycott. “Moral and ethical arguments aren’t enough of an impact,” Dorhauer said. “The only effective impact is economic impact.” The first target will be moving next year’s Southwest Conference meeting from Arizona to New Mexico, a move that Dorhauer estimates will deprive the state of about $125,000 in direct spending. The United Methodist Church and the Interfaith Immigration Coalition, however, have shied away from pursuing any coercive measures, focusing instead on pushing for repeal. “The boycott would only extend our recession by three to five years and hit those who are poorest among us,” said United Methodist Bishop Minerva Carcano of Phoenix, the first Hispanic woman to be elected bishop in her denomination. “People have to follow their conscience. For some, the only place they can stand is a place of boycott and we respect that.” Others say they will continue with planned meetings, including a September gathering of the Episcopal Church’s House of Bishops. Some bishops expressed support of the boycott, but the church ultimately decided to use the opportunity to stand in solidarity with immigrants and keep the meeting in Phoenix. “They just wanted to take a strong stand,” said Greta Huls, a spokeswoman for the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona. “They will be supporting the people who work the lower paid jobs. They can learn firsthand what’s happening and make a more educated statement.” Though the Interfaith Immigration Coalition hasn’t signed on to a boycott, Bill Mefford, director of civil and human rights for the United Methodists’ Washington office, said, “I won’t entirely rule it out.”

Posted on Fri, May. 28, 2010 10:15 PM

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Faith leaders tread carefully on Arizona boycott

By ELEANOR GOLDBERG

Religion News Service

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The push for immigration reform has united many faith groups in a fervor not seen since the anti-apartheid movement of the 1980s, much of it directed at Arizona’s new get-tough immigration law.

Yet a central feature of the apartheid fight — a church-led boycott against South Africa — hasn’t been fully embraced by religious groups who are treading carefully on whether to withhold spending in the Grand Canyon State.

“Without any debate, we have come to the same side of this issue,” said the Rev. John Dorhauer, who heads the United Church of Christ’s Phoenix-based Southwest Conference. “We don’t do that when we talk about abortion or gay marriage. Those have been very painful dialogues.”

A group of big-name faith leaders from Arizona recently pressed their case on Capitol Hill, telling lawmakers the new bill has already led to racial profiling and a 30 percent drop in attendance among immigrant congregations.

United Methodist, evangelical and Catholic leaders continue to work together around marches and vigils. But only members of the liberal UCC have embraced a boycott.

“Moral and ethical arguments aren’t enough of an impact,” Dorhauer said. “The only effective impact is economic impact.”

The first target will be moving next year’s Southwest Conference meeting from Arizona to New Mexico, a move that Dorhauer estimates will deprive the state of about $125,000 in direct spending.

The United Methodist Church and the Interfaith Immigration Coalition, however, have shied away from pursuing any coercive measures, focusing instead on pushing for repeal.

“The boycott would only extend our recession by three to five years and hit those who are poorest among us,” said United Methodist Bishop Minerva Carcano of Phoenix, the first Hispanic woman to be elected bishop in her denomination. “People have to follow their conscience. For some, the only place they can stand is a place of boycott and we respect that.”

Others say they will continue with planned meetings, including a September gathering of the Episcopal Church’s House of Bishops. Some bishops expressed support of the boycott, but the church ultimately decided to use the opportunity to stand in solidarity with immigrants and keep the meeting in Phoenix.

“They just wanted to take a strong stand,” said Greta Huls, a spokeswoman for the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona. “They will be supporting the people who work the lower paid jobs. They can learn firsthand what’s happening and make a more educated statement.”

Though the Interfaith Immigration Coalition hasn’t signed on to a boycott, Bill Mefford, director of civil and human rights for the United Methodists’ Washington office, said, “I won’t entirely rule it out.”

Posted on Fri, May. 28, 2010 10:15 PM

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