Faith leaders, immigrants, workers hold welcome event for Pope
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb 12, 2016
Contact: Allison Walter, awalter@faithinpubliclife.org, (913) 375-7730
Faith leaders stand with Pope Francis at the border
Local faith leaders, immigrants & workers hold rosary welcome event
El Paso, TX — A coalition of faith leaders, immigrants, and workers will gather in prayer on Tuesday evening to welcome Pope Francis to the border. The pope will be visiting Juarez on Wednesday and is expected to walk to the border fence and give a blessing to both the El Paso and Juarez sides of the border in solidarity with immigrants.
“The Church has always been a place where the excluded can find refuge. We know that Pope Francis’s visit to the border will help give a face to the suffering of immigrants, and we’re happy to welcome him and stand with him in solidarity,” said Sara Benitez, Latino Outreach Director at Faith in Public Life.
Spokespeople will be on hand to give interviews.
WHAT Pope Francis welcome rosary and interview opportunity
WHEN Tues. Feb 16th — Mass 5:00pm ; Rosary 5:30pm
WHERE Sacred Heart Church, 602 S Oregon St, El Paso, TX 79901
WHO Faith leaders, immigrants, workers
Rosary led by: Sr. Norma Pimentel, Executive Director of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, met Pope Francis during his visit in September, and was recognized by him during the ABC 20/20 Papal Virtual Audience for her response to vast numbers of women and child refugees on the Texas border in 2014. She will be on the border Feb. 17th as a “Francis VIP” when the Pope gives a blessing for immigrants after mass in Juarez and will be available at the levee with the “Francis VIPs” for interview.
Event organized by: Sara Benitez, Latino outreach director at Faith in Public Life where she works with Latino clergy and lay leaders of all faith traditions on civic engagement and immigration reform advocacy.
###