Prayer walk for immigration planned

Intermountain Catholic

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SALT LAKE CITY — Prayers for immigrants will be offered during a two-mile walk through downtown Salt Lake City on Sept. 8.

The "Journey of Hope with Immigrants and the Poor," organized by the Diocese of Salt Lake City Peace and Justice Commission, is in conjunction with a national effort organized by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Justice for Immigrants campaign.

The U.S. Bishops has asked Catholics nationwide to engage in a pilgrimage for immigrants this fall. The timing is significant: Advocates for immigration reform that includes an earned path for citizenship hope that the U.S. House of Representatives will debate and pass a bill on the issue similar to the one that was approved earlier this summer by the U.S. Senate.

"As a pilgrim church, the story of the migrant is one that has always been at the heart of our Catholic identity," said Jean Hill, director of the Peace and Justice Commission. "The Diocese of Salt Lake City prayer walk and nationwide pilgrimages recognize our call to offer welcome to the strangers in our midst."

The 2.2-mile walk is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. in the parking lot of the St. Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen, 235 S. Rio Grande St., where participants will pray for those who are unable to meet their basic needs. They then will proceed, with stops at the 4th Street Clinic, 400 South 400 West, to pray for those without adequate health insurance to address otherwise treatable conditions; the Federal Courthouse, 350 S. West Temple, to pray for those facing or with loved ones facing deportation; and the Federal Building, 200 S. State St., to pray for elected officials working on immigration reform and poverty issues.

The event will conclude at the Cathedral of the Madeleine, 309 E. South Temple, in time for the 6 p.m. Mass.