SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- To stress the need for immediate action by Congress on immigration reform, Dr. Samuel Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC) will begin a 40-day fast on Monday, Nov. 4 that will last through one of the most indulgent national holidays, Thanksgiving.
"In the spirit of Gandhi, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and other leaders who have acted on the moral imperative to do justice, as well as our ultimate example found in Jesus, I likewise sense an urgent conviction to engage in the spiritual exercise that in my faith narrative produces great results," said Rodriguez. "Starting today, I will be engaging in a personal fast and call others to join me as we pray for the vital importance of immigration reform now."
Rodriguez has committed to fast for 40 days but is willing to extend it until immigration reform is passed.
Believing immigration reform is as much a religious issue as it is a policy, Rodriguez and NHCLC leaders have been actively rallying support from the Evangelical Christian community, which was once hesitant to embrace reform but now believes it is necessary to heal communities, usher in peace and promote righteousness and justice.
"In the spirit of Gandhi, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and other leaders who have acted on the moral imperative to do justice, as well as our ultimate example found in Jesus, I likewise sense an urgent conviction to engage in the spiritual exercise that in my faith narrative produces great results," said Rodriguez. "Starting today, I will be engaging in a personal fast and call others to join me as we pray for the vital importance of immigration reform now."
Rodriguez has committed to fast for 40 days but is willing to extend it until immigration reform is passed.
Believing immigration reform is as much a religious issue as it is a policy, Rodriguez and NHCLC leaders have been actively rallying support from the Evangelical Christian community, which was once hesitant to embrace reform but now believes it is necessary to heal communities, usher in peace and promote righteousness and justice.
