ACTION ALERT: SUPPORT HOUSE BILL 2747 The Access to Religious Ministry Act
State Representative Dan Burke (D-Chicago) is the chief sponsor of House Bill 2747, the Access to Religious Ministry Act.
House Bill 2747 would provide that:
Clergy and religious workers have reasonable access to immigrants detained in county jails that have contracts with the federal government. This reasonable access will allow clergy or religious workers to visit those in need of spiritual counseling or other religious ministry.
Time for religious ministry is not to be counted against visitation time to which a person being detained is otherwise entitled.
The Access to Religious Ministry Act protects the religious freedom of these persons who are separated from their families and in very uncertain and vulnerable situations. (A fact sheet on House Bill 2747 can be found on www.catholicconferenceofillinois.org.)
ACTIVITIES FOR DETENTION AND DEPORTATION WHAT: Rosary at Broadview, IL Immigrant Detention Center
WHEN: Every Friday at 7:15 a.m.
DESCRIPTION: For over a year, the faithful have been gathering early on Friday mornings in front of the immigrant detention center in Broadview, IL to pray the rosary. It’s a powerful expression of solidarity and prayerful support for our immigrant brother and sisters in Christ as they are being loaded onto buses for deportation from the U.S. The gathering, led by women religious of the Sisters and Brothers of Immigrants organization, is orderly and peaceful; all participants stay outside physical boundaries established by the Broadview facility. The public rosary lasts about a half hour and draws attention to a U.S. immigrant detention system that deprives detained immigrants, who have not violated criminal law, protection of basic liberties afforded inmates in the criminal system. The unjust system of detention, which can become indefinite without recourse to remedy, falls under the radar screen of most of the American public.
DIRECTIONS: To reach the Broadview facility, take the Eisenhower to 25th Avenue South; at the top of the ramp turn left to Lexington (the stop light). Turn right on Lexington to Beach (the next street). Turn left on Beach and look for the barbed wire fence on the right hand side, in front of the detention center building.
LOGISTICS: Meet at the location by 7:15am. There is no ongoing commitment – come as often as you can. If questions, contact Sr. Pat Murphy (773) 779-6011.
