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SALT LAKE CITY -- Members of Utah's religious community are participating in a special service at the Cathedral of the Madeleine tonight, hoping to make a difference in the immigration debate.
This is not about politics or protests. The interfaith service for Utah immigrants focuses on prayer.
The Most Rev. John C. Wester, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City is hosting the event.
"We want to pray for them and pray with them and pray that the Lord will help them during this difficult time," he said. "It's not a time to talk politics and to debate the issue. We are going to pray in our state that we do not move in any direction that's going to cause more fear.
What we're trying to do is to get people to come back to the essence, the true core of their faiths, which is how we treat each other as human beings.
–Alan Bachman
"We really feel for our people. This is a difficult time for immigrants in our country and in our state. Even the mere fact of arguing, debating these issues creates tension and creates a lot of concern in the lives of our people."
The prayer service at the cathedral is not the first about immigration but the religious leaders hope it will remind everyone of common beliefs.
Alan Bachman, chairman of the Salt Lake Interfaith Roundtable said, "The problem in the world is not faiths. The problem in the world is that people don't follow their faiths. What we're trying to do is to get people to come back to the essence, the true core of their faiths, which is how we treat each other as human beings.
"It's very easy to be insular. It's very easy to just keep amongst ourselves. It's very easy not to communicate with the one person who appears to be different," he said.
"The purpose of the prayer meeting tonight is not to talk about what laws we need or do not need or any opinions about legislation. But it's more about the appearance or image that we give off here in the state of Utah. We want to make sure that people know that the people of Utah do love and appreciate the people who are here."
Scott Trotter with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Public Affairs issued this statement:
"While the Church will not have an official representative at tonight's prayer vigil, the conversation surrounding immigration is important to the Church. We repeat our appeal for careful reflection and civil discourse when addressing immigration issues. Finding a successful resolution will require the best thinking and goodwill of all across the political spectrum, the highest levels of statesmanship, and the strongest desire to do what is best for all of God's children."
Members of the Salt Lake Interfaith Roundtable say many faiths have long traditions of welcoming the stranger. The service will include that idea.
Dee Rowland, director of the Peace & Justice Commission of the Diocese of Salt Lake City said, "Tonight is very much about a plea to our own hearts and to the public to remind us that we are all brothers and sisters."
Bishop Wester added, "I believe that the people I've talked to, people of faith, when they've had an opportunity to reflect on the issues and to see what the issues really are, they do, at least in my experience, see the need for comprehensive immigration reform."
Which means the service will include mention of state and federal lawmakers. Prayers will be offered on their behalf as well.
The Interfaith Prayer Service for Utah Immigrants takes place tonight at 7:30 at the Cathedral of the Madeleine in downtown Salt Lake. Everyone is welcome.
E-mail: cmikita@ksl.com
