The Greater St. Cloud Faith Leaders, begun by St. Cloud Bishop Emeritus Donald Kettler, is a volunteer group of leaders representing diverse faith traditions who share a commitment to advance human dignity, respect for religious diversity and working together for collective peace, unity and healing in and around the St. Cloud area.
In response to the fears that many immigrant and refugee community members have been expressing and the cascading impacts this fear is having on individuals, families and the community at large, the Greater St. Cloud Faith Leaders crafted a message of love and solidarity with those who may need to hear it at this challenging time. Below is the collective statement of this group in English, Spanish and Somali:
To our valued neighbors, We want you to know that we love you and are proud to call you our neighbors! Your presence enriches our community, and we stand in solidarity with you. Please know that you have faith leaders who support you in this time of injustice and fear, and who celebrate the beauty and strength you bring to the greater St. Cloud area. Thank you for being here, and know that we will continue to stand with, advocate for, and love you in this extremely challenging time! We promise to do everything that we can to stand up for your rights and to ensure that you are treated with the dignity and respect that you deserve. In peace and friendship, the Greater St. Cloud Faith Leaders group
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A nuestros estimados vecinos: Queremos que sepan que los queremos y que estamos orgullosos de llamarlos nuestros vecinos. Su presencia enriquece nuestra comunidad y nos solidarizamos con ustedes. Sepan que cuentan con líderes religiosos que los apoyan en estos momentos de injusticia y temor, y que celebramos la belleza y la fortaleza que aportan a la región de St. Cloud. Gracias por estar aquí, y sepan que seguiremos apoyándolos, defendiendo sus derechos y brindándoles nuestro cariño en estos momentos tan difíciles. Prometemos hacer todo lo que esté a nuestro alcance para defender sus derechos y garantizar que sean tratados con la dignidad y el respeto que merecen. Con paz y amistad, el grupo de líderes religiosos del área metropolitana de St. Cloud (“Greater St. Cloud Faith Leaders” group)
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Deriskayaga qiimaha leh, Waxa aan rabnaa in aad ogaato in aan ku jecel nahay oo aanu ku faanno in aanu kuugu yeerno deriskayagiiyoow! Joogitaankaaga wuxuu hodmiyaa bulshadayada, waxa aanu kugu garab taaganahay midnimo. Fadlan ogow in aad haysato hogaamiyayaal diimeed oo ku taageeraya xilligan cadaalad-darro iyo cabsida leh , kuwaasoo u dabaaldega quruxda iyo xoogga aad u soo kordhisay guud ahaan deegaanada St. Cloud. Waad ku mahadsan tahay joogitaankaaga, waxaanad ogaata in aan sii wadi doono in aan ku garab istaagno, ku difaacno, oo aan ku jecel nahay xilligan aadka u adag! Waxa aan ballanqaadaynaa in aan sameyno wax kasta oo aan awoodno si aan ugu istaagno xuquuqdaada oo aan u hubinno in laguula dhaqmo si sharaf iyo ixtiraam leh oo aad mudan tahay. Nabad iyo saaxiibtinimo, the Greater St. Cloud Faith Leaders group
The Greater St. Cloud Faith Leaders was begun in 2014 and continues to be convened and facilitated by the Diocese of St. Cloud. To learn more, visit https://faithleaders.us/.
Above photo: People gathered at St. Joseph Parish in Waite Park Nov. 13 to to publicly demonstrate solidarity with migrant families, asylum seekers and refugees. (Dianne Towalski/The Central Minnesota Catholic).