All 16 of Texas' Catholic bishops condemn Gov. Abbott's refugee ban in joint statement
https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/13/us/catholic-bishops-texas-abbott-refugees/index.html
..."The bishops call Abbott's decision "misguided" and say it "denies people who are fleeing persecution, including religious persecution, from being able to bring their gifts and talents to our state and contribute to the general common good of all Texans."
"As Catholics, an essential aspect of our faith is to welcome the stranger and care for the alien," the bishops say in the statement, issued Friday.
Texas is home to about 8.5 million Catholics, nearly 30% of the state's population. Abbott himself has often cited his Catholic faith to defend conservative policies.
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Lutheran World Immigration and Refugees Services, another faith-based group, condemned Abbott's move.
"Nearly 2,500 refugees started to rebuild their lives in Texas last year, many of whom have additional family members in harm's way seeking to join them in safety," said Krish O'Mara Vignarajah, the group's president in a statement.
"These families have been torn apart by violence, war and persecution -- but we never thought they would be needlessly separated by a U.S. state official."....(more)