EPISODE 5 - Christian Obligation and Character
Responding to Detention and Deportation
When it comes to immigration and migrants seeking refuge, as Christians, should our primary concerns be law and order or mercy and compassion? In this episode of You Welcomed Me, Rev. Dr. Gary Waldron talks with Sister Norma Pimentel and Rev. Carlos Malavé about the reality of what is happening in Immigrant Detention Centers in the United States. These dedicated Christian leaders also discuss the implications of Holy Scripture in the treatment of strangers, foreigners, and immigrants at the border.
Hosted by Rev. Dr. Gary Waldron
Gary Waldron is an advocate for immigrants, people experiencing homelessness, and people who were formerly incarcerated. He is Executive Director of Servant’s Way, a non-profit organization that focuses on personal transformation by providing transitional housing, mentoring people transitioning from incarceration, and men’s ministry work through the Mankind Project. Dr. Waldron also leads a Christian men’s group at Stafford Creek Correctional Facility and is active with Advocates for Immigrants in Detention Northwest, which offers hospitality to immigrants.
Featuring
Rev. Carlos Malavé
Carlos Malavé is Executive Director of Christian Churches Together in the USA, an ecumenical forum of churches and Christian organizations from all the families of U.S. Christianity. He is a member of the Steering Committee of the Circle of Protection. Malavé is a Presbyterian minister who previously served as assistant stated clerk at the Office of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and as pastor in Puerto Rico and Southern California. He holds a Master of Arts in Family Life Education from Loma Linda University and a Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary.
Sister Norma Pimentel
Sister Pimentel, M.J., is the Executive Director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley that provides emergency food and shelter, housing assistance, clinical counseling and pregnancy care on the border. She was on the frontlines of the 2014 surge of Central Americans seeking asylum in the U.S. and established the Humanitarian Respite Center in McAllen, TX. Pope Francis publicly recognized and thanked Sister Pimentel for her work with immigrants and was recognized as one of the 2015 Catholics of the Year. She was also nominated for “Texan of the Year,” has received the University of Notre Dame’s 2018 Laetare Medal — the oldest and most prestigious honor given to American Catholics, and was recently named one of Time 100: Most Influential People.
Resources
Catholic Charities
Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley
Christian Churches Together
Circle of Protection
Detention Watch Network
National Immigrant Justice Center
Tacoma Catholic Worker