CULLMAN — Editor’s note: Phillip Rawls of the Associated Press reported from Montgomery for this story.



Alabama leaders are urging Gov. Robert Bentley to make changes in the state's immigration law as a matter of fairness and out of respect for the people directly affected.

The Benedictine Sisters and the Benedictine monks of St. Bernard Abbey in Cullman joined with bishops across the state in signing a letter that asks the governor to work for revisions of what they call "an unjust and unfair law." Leaders of the Roman Catholic, United Methodist and Episcopal churches in Alabama wrote and signed the letter.

The church leaders who wrote the letter previously sued in federal court to try to overturn the law. The letter also marked a different approach to opposing the law as church leaders noted they were praying that Gov. Bentley will show political courage and support the repeal of the law. Previous efforts have included the lawsuit, nonviolent protests and marches, including hundreds who rallied against the law Saturday at the Capitol and Governor's Mansion in Montgomery.

The governor's press secretary, Jennifer Ardis, said Monday that the law won't be repealed, but Bentley is working on changes.

Cletus D. Meagher, abbot of the Benedictine Society of Alabama in Cullman, said motivation for sending the letter to the governor is directly related to Christian concern for the dignity and welfare of people who are hurt by the immigration law.

"It's important that the churches in Alabama be willing to recognize the inherent dignity of every person. It's a very big political issue, I realize, but we don't want to lose sight of the dignity of people," Meagher said. "Sometimes laws like this fail to do that."

Meagher also reiterated a position of the church that people should not live in fear when seeking assistance, or when seeking to offer assistance.

He also noted that many of the families affected by the immigration law have been living in the state 20-25 years, but now find themselves targeted by the law after becoming integrated into the communities of the state.

"I don't think we should have people living in fear. We have families and children involved," Meagher said. "The people of Alabama are good people; there's no doubt about it. I'm not sure how views like this rise up, but I don't think we should ever cater to the most base views on anything."

Janet Marie Flemming, prioress of the Benedictine Sisters of Cullman, said in a prepared statement Monday evening that in joining the effort to urge the governor to stand up against the law, noted that Bentley "is a man of faith and it is in that light that we are calling on him to right this wrong."

 "We have been opposed to this law from day one, particularly as it affects our ability to minister to all of God's children, whether documented or not. We are pleased that parts of the law have been blocked by the courts. But we believe the best approach is to repeal the poorly drawn law which has had a chilling effect on our ministry and outreach to people as well as on our state's economy.  Even people who are in this country legally are afraid that they are being targeted by this law, and rightfully so as evidenced by recent events in the news," Flemming said.

 Flemming also said the immigration law is reminiscent of the civil rights struggle in our state.

  "In this Christmas season, we are hopeful that the governor, in calling for the repeal of this law, will wish everyone well and assure them that they can celebrate their faith without fear," Flemming said.

Signing the letter with Meagher and Fleming were: Henry Parsley Jr., the Episcopal Bishop in Birmingham; Thomas J. Rodi, the Roman Catholic archbishop in Mobile; Robert J. Baker, the Roman Catholic bishop in Birmingham and William Willimon, the United Methodist bishop in Birmingham.

An attorney for the religious leaders, Augusta Dowd, recalled that the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote his famous "Letter from Birmingham City Jail" in 1963 to white church leaders criticizing them for sitting on the sidelines during the civil rights movement. But now times have changed in Alabama.

"These church leaders today will not be the recipient of such a letter," she said.

Dowd said the church leaders have received criticism for speaking out, but they are seeing the effects of the law firsthand. "They have seen a real chilling effect on their ministries and their outreach programs. Even people in the country legally are afraid to show up," she said.

In the letter, the religious leaders said, "In this holy season of our Lord's birth, we remember that our Biblical charge to do justice, to have mercy, and to walk humbly with our God is over 2000 years old. We pray you keep close to its meaning and moral imperative as you work to right this legislative wrong."

Bentley's press secretary said the governor will work with the Legislature to make sure everyone living and working in Alabama is doing so legally.

"As Governor Bentley said before, there is nothing unkind, unjust or unwarranted about asking everyone in Alabama to obey the law," she said.



* David Palmer may be contacted at 256-734-2131, Ext. 213, or dpalmer@cullmantimes.com.