GABRIELA RICO

Citing an obligation as religious leaders to address the plight of immigrants crossing the Arizona desert, more than 100 clergy gathered yesterday, mindful that all faiths command an outstretched hand to strangers.

"Meet us," Bishop Michael J. Neils of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America prayed at the start of the meeting. "Meet us as we cross the desert ... are being detained ... are trafficked to drop houses ... are abandoned in the desert ... or may be dying."

The Multi-Faith Border Conference, the first of its kind, was held at Congregation Anshei Israel, 5550 E. Fifth St. Leaders of about 12 Muslim, Jewish and Christian groups from around the state attended.

Its goal, the group said, is to raise the consciousness among congregants about the phenomenon happening in their back yard.

"You're not supposed to stand idly by while your neighbor bleeds," said Rabbi Robert Eisen of Congregation Anshei Israel. "People are bleeding."

Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas of the Catholic Diocese of Tucson said the day's meeting resulted from two trips taken by religious leaders to Altar, Son., a popular staging area for people preparing to enter the United States.

"Everyone was so moved by the experience, they asked themselves, 'What can we do?' " Kicanas said. "What is the religious voice in immigration?"

The Rev. Stuart Taylor of St. Mark's Presbyterian Church said apathy cannot be an option when all religious doctrine speaks to the needs of strangers.

"Our faiths teach about immigration and hospitality," he said. "For the religious community to be silent ... is unacceptable."

On April 19 at St. Matthew's Cathedral in Phoenix, participants in yesterday's conference will join the "No More Deaths" campaign to discuss an action plan.

"We're not trying to create an organization; we're not trying to create a movement," Eisen said. "We're simply trying to move."

"We are all immigrants, we are all strangers, we are all products of migration," he said.

Anyone interested in learning more about the Multi-Faith Border Conference can call (520) 838-2545.