To the editor:
It was heartening to read in the December (print) Courier our New York State Bishops’ statement in response to the current egregious treatment of immigrants and refugees. The bishops are right to point out the several instances in Holy Scripture that refer to just treatment of the “resident alien” who had found sojourn among the Israelites. The Israelites even had an important law, the “Law of Peah,” that instructed that a tenth of a garden or orchard be kept ungathered so that a resident alien might have access to fruits and vegetables as needed, again demonstrating Israel’s compassion and wisdom in remembrance of their own former status as sojourners.
To the leaders and their followers who are responsible for the unspeakably harsh and even violent treatment of those who seek refuge and residence among us, I pose a question or two: When does human life cease to be sacred? When does a human being, made in the image and likeness of God, cease to have dignity and value?
Judith E. Kiehl
Lake Avenue
Rochester
