President Obama wants the United States to accept refugees who are fleeing the violence in Syria and Iraq. Congress opposes this plan, as do most governors, including Kansas Governor Sam Brownback. Some churches are taking a different stand. Last week, the United Methodist Church said its congregations in Kansas and Nebraska were willing to sponsor Syrian families. Meanwhile, Catholic church leaders in Kansas issued a statement of support for Syrian refugees, but also provided a word of caution. KPR's J. Schafer spoke to one of those Catholic leaders, Bishop John Brungardt (BRUN-gart), of the Dodge City Diocese.
That's Bishop John Brungardt (BRUN-gart), of the Catholic Diocese of Dodge City. He was speaking with KPR's J. Schafer. One postscript to this report: KPR News repeatedly reached out to Catholic Charities of northeast Kansas for comment on the Syrian refugee crisis - and for reaction to the governor's order about the refugees, but our calls were not returned.
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Statement from the Catholic bishops of Kansas regarding the Syrian refugee crisis
Kansas Governor Sam Brownback's Executive Order 15-07, regarding Syrian refugees
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Kansas Catholic Bishops: Welcome Syrian Refugees... Carefully
When it comes to the Syrian refugee crisis, Kansas Catholic leaders are walking a fine line. The state's four Catholic bishops issued a statement of support for the refugees. But the bishops stopped short of criticizing the state's Catholic governor for his order prohibiting the state from helping to relocate Syrian refugees. Reverend John Brungardt (BRUN-gart) is the bishop in Dodge City.
President Obama has been pushing to allow thousands of Syrian refugees into the United States but so far, Congress and most of the nation's governors have opposed the idea.
