‘Dignity does not fluctuate with citizenship’: Local Christian leaders rally for compassion towards immigrants

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — More than a dozen Christian leaders from across Central Virginia gathered on Friday at First Baptist Church, united in prayer and delivering a shared message of peace and solidarity with immigrants.

“To our immigrant neighbors in Richmond. You are not invisible to God. You are not alone,” said Rev. Jim Arsenault of St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church.

Leaders representing Catholic, Baptist, Methodist and many other Christian denominations urged the community to treat immigrants with compassion and respect.

“The Bible begins with the declaration that every human being is created in the image and likeness of God. That dignity does not fluctuate with citizenship, documentation, language, or national origin,” said Rev. Taylor Lewis Guthrie Hartman, pastor of First Presbyterian Church.

Corey Whitmer, pastor of 3rd Church in Henrico and chair of the board of For Richmond, said, “We are grieved by rhetoric that dehumanizes those made in the image of God. We are troubled by policies and practices that separate families.”

The event followed a Monday gathering at the same church, where 450 Christian leaders from more than 60 local congregations convened to pray, discuss and stand in unity.

The efforts are organized by the Christian nonprofit For Richmond, with assistance from Oscar Contreras, host of the Latino Christian radio station Radio Poder.

“All we're doing is in a very organic way, trying to follow what Jesus has taught us to love our neighbor,” Contreras said.

While leaders said they respect the lawful process of citizenship, they emphasized that compassion should come first.

"Scripture does not condition our obligation to love the stranger upon their immigration status,” said Rev. Peyton Harris of River of Life Community Church. "We must be able to uphold the law while refusing to dehumanize those who live under its penalties."