A diocese of The Episcopal Church has denounced the recent detention of one of its priests by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, saying he has lived and worked lawfully in Texas for years. However, authorities allege he overstayed his visa for over a year before his arrest.
The Episcopal Diocese of Texas released a statement Friday stating that one of its priests, who is a native of Kenya and was not named in the release, was arrested by ICE in late October. It is not clear why he was targeted for detention.
The priest, who worked at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, was sent to an immigration detention center in Conroe, Texas, and has been able to communicate with his family.
“The Episcopal Diocese of Texas stands firmly for justice, dignity, and compassion for every person,” said the Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle, bishop of the diocese.
“This priest has served both the Church and the State of Texas faithfully. We are praying for his safety, for his family’s peace of mind, and for fair and humane treatment as this case moves forward.”
The diocese called for “transparency, due process, and respect for all individuals working legally in public service” and asked “all people of faith to join in prayer for him and his family, and for all who are affected by these actions.”
