Tuesday, July 22, 2014 W.Va. church groups offer to house refugee youths
By Jack Suntrup, Staff writer
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia faith groups are brainstorming ways they could house some of the thousands of Central American children who have flooded the U.S.-Mexican border illegally in recent months.Bryan Minor, spokesman for the Catholic Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, said Pope Francis has declared the situation a “humanitarian emergency” and has asked Catholic organizations across the country to help house the children.“Catholic Charities West Virginia … has been in constant communication with Catholic Charities USA in Washington, D.C.,” Minor said in a statement. “Catholic Charities West Virginia has offered to assist in relief and housing efforts in West Virginia.” – See more at: http://www.wvgazette.com/article/20140722/GZ01/140729872#sthash.BOvZSEH9.dpuf
Wednesday, July 23, 2014 Editorial: No room at the inn for refugee children
Faith groups around West Virginia are considering what they can do, if anything, to help the flood of child refugees who have been streaming into the country for months. Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin’s office says the state has no capacity to offer assistance to the federal government on this issue, although the West Virginia National Guard is ready to go to the border if called.
This is a disturbing stance — to be stingy with beds and food, but eager to send soldiers.
One can hardly blame members of the National Guard for being ready and willing to serve if called — again. That is what dutiful service looks like. But what of everyone else? Is there no other kind of duty?
Should only Catholic Charities West Virginia monitor and look for a way to help take care of children fleeing alone from poverty, drug gangs and prostitution in Central American countries? – See more at: http://www.wvgazette.com/article/20140723/ARTICLE/140729780/1103#sthash.Pue87huO.9i8giJ9E.dpuf
