Yakima bishop names challenges, Fair Housing leader reports funding freeze and more. . .
In a recent pastoral letter, the Most Rev. Joseph Tyson, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Yakima in an agricultural region with many immigrants, reminds people of the need for faith and hope now.
He told of visiting Kennewick where 300 middle and high school students fear their parents will be deported. He saw 400 youth protesting in downtown Yakima. He hopes the removal orders from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will be a surgical tactic, targeting only those convicted of serious crimes, but notes that "early indicators suggest that more than half of those caught by ICE recently were NOT convicted criminals."
Bishop Tyson is disturbed by false assertions about the ministry of the U.S. Catholic Church to migrants, refugees and asylum seekers. For six years, he led the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops efforts for the pastoral care for migrants and refugees, so he knows the operation of the church's national outreach to them.
The bishop challenges the assertion that "we are complicit in settling migrants and refugees that are poorly screened. He affirmed that every refugee the church resettles is screened 12 and 24 months by the federal government.
He also challenges the suggestion that assistance to migrants, refugees and asylum seekers encourages illegal immigration and human trafficking, noting that the church follows Jesus' command to "love our neighbor" and "welcome the stranger."
He commended parishioners in the diocese for "the gracious way you find a place in your homes, places of business, social networks and parish contacts to quietly shadow and provide refuge for our neighbors in need."
He reminded that "the undocumented are our fellow parishioners and neighbors," coming to provide a better life for themselves and their children. Some have fled persecution and violence.
He challenged the administration for engendering fear as a tactic that is contrary to the teaching of Christ and the Church.
People say, "follow the law," not realizing current immigration law is "hard to follow, capricious and lacks common sense. We need secure borders to know who is coming and going. We need an immigration system that works for the well-being of all."
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Northwest Fair Housing Alliance (NWFHA) and thousands of nonprofit organizations around the country that provide housing advocacy and support services to vulnerable people among those threatened with a freeze on already awarded federal grant funds and future awards.
On Monday, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) directed most federal agencies to temporarily pause activities. On Tuesday, a federal court judge stayed the freeze and on Wednesday OMB rescinded the memo.
However, civil rights advocacy is still being targeted.
Federal agencies are being directed to report on and terminate grants and contracts that fund advocacy for transgender people and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The HUD payment portal went inoperable even before the freeze was to take effect. After re-opening, fair housing agencies still had not received payments they have submitted vouchers for.
NWFHA has unpaid expenditures of $128,729 for grant activities already conducted, pre-paid out of its own operating expenses pursuant to reimbursement agreements with HUD. This is about three months of salaries, taxes and benefits for five full-time and one part-time employees.
Unlawful efforts to stop payment on grant funds already earned threaten NWFHA's ability to serve the community.
For more than two decades NWFHA has been awarded competitive performance-based HUD grants to fund its work in Eastern and Central WA State regardless of which political party was in the White House.
Currently, NWFHA has HUD grant applications pending, which are essential to continuation of its services after current grants, end on June 14.
Freezing already appropriated and awarded federal grant funds is against the law, cruel, reckless and dangerous for families and vulnerable people.
Without continued federal support NWFHA will be unable to assist the hundreds of people who seek help accessing and retaining housing.
NWFHA urges people to contact elected leaders through congress.gov.
Molly Hochendorner, Northwest Fair Housing
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While we hear that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has come under scrutiny with a threat to suspend operations and funding around the world, few may know that Catholic Relief Services (CRS), the official overseas relief and development agency of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), is one of the largest USAID contractors distributing humanitarian assistance.
Why do USAID and CRS work together? The Catholic Church is on the ground all over the world with an existing local presence and infrastructure, integrated into the local community.
U.S. Catholics add private dollars to CRS' budget, so local organizations—like a small diocese in Guatemala, a community of women religious in Kenya or a bishop's office in India—can stretch USAID resources to reach remote areas, impact more lives and increase the effectiveness of USAID funds.
CRS is a force multiplier for USAID. By working with bishops in these countries, CRS comes alongside the local church infrastructure of schools, hospitals, clinics and charities. We don't have to pay for office space. We work with the local Caritas agency. About half of CRS' budget is linked to USAID.
CRS is accountable to the USCCB. Beginning as Catholic War Relief in 1943 and now in more than 100 countries, CRS is a nonprofit subject to regular audits to ensure accountable, transparent use of funds.
How does it use the funds?
CRS is the largest distributor of antiretroviral HIV medication in sub-Saharan Africa. This work is 20 years old, under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), begun in the George W. Bush administration.
The rest of CRS' work is on hunger and nutrition, agriculture and water systems, sanitation, disaster relief, maternal and child health, orphans and vulnerable children, savings and internal lending communities. CRS serves people of all faiths and those of no faith.
We urge people to contact members of Congress.
Lent begins about a month from now. CRS Rice Bowl, a Lenten program of prayer, fasting and almsgiving, will once again be in our parishes and schools as a Lenten practice of almsgiving and prayer. This year marks the 50th anniversary of this effort, one of the primary ways for the Catholic community to engage in global solidarity with our brothers and sisters around the world.
Scott Cooper
Vice president for mission, Catholic Charities of Eastern Washington
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We are so excited for the way the February story covered Bethany Presbyterian Church's plan to build apartments. Thank you so much for your skills.
Your article is just perfect. It spoke our truth and was very true to the journey we are on. Your interest in Bethany over the years is an encouragement.
Sharon Smith, Bethany Presbyterian
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Just wanted to let you know how much I have appreciated your ecumenical ministry through your newspaper all these years.
The Haitian article was of special interest as I have a wonderful daughter-in-law from Haiti, who with my son has had a ministry in South Seattle for 10 years.
Berlina Brock, Seattle
