1 week Ago By Kira Caspers • Times of San Diego
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By clicking sign up, you agree to our terms . Clergy will lead a prayer service and a mile-long procession from the waterfront to downtown San Diego Saturday to show support for vulnerable communities affected by the Trump administration’s executive orders. Eight religious leaders will conduct the prayer service at 10 a.
m. at Waterfront Park before walking to the Edward J. Schwartz federal building for a prayer vigil.
The Catholic Diocese of San Diego held a similar event in February that drew over 12,000 participants. “We had tapped into something for people, something deep and meaningful to people,” said Father Scott Santarosa of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. The event is dedicated to immigrant families, the elderly and the poor, according to a statement by the Diocese of San Diego.
Santarosa said members of his church have expressed alternating between feeling fear and hope since President Donald Trump threatened communities with “mass deportations.” “I would say people are up and down,” he said. “They’re not as paralyzed as at the beginning, but they’re still afraid and are going about their lives in a more cautious way.
” Procession participants are invited to carry palms in anticipation of Palm Sunday. “We thought this is the perfect time to help people remember that as we commemorate Jesus entering Jerusalem, which is the place of his own unjust trial and death, that a lot of people feel unjustly on trial and facing significant challenge,” he said. Presbyterian, Muslim, Universalist, Catholic, non-denominational Christian leaders and others will lead the Saturday event.
Santarosa said it feels great to take action alongside leaders of varying denominations and faiths. “This is the dream God has for the world, is that we’d all come together and be one,” he said. “I think it makes it richer and more meaningful.
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A member of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church who participated in a Feb. 9 procession was later deported, said Santarosa. A testimony will be shared at the Saturday event on his behalf.
Santarosa said he wants people to watch or participate in the procession and feel empowered. “I think the temptation these days is to feel like we have no power, we have no voice, but when you actually get 1,200 or 1,500 of us together, people pay attention,” he said. “God walks with them too.
” The event is a collaboration with Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego, San Diego Organizing Project and PICO California. Leaders set to participate include: Auxiliary Bishop Ramón Bejarano, Catholic Diocese of San Diego Bishop Susan Brown Snook, Episcopal Diocese of San Diego Imam Taha Hassane, Islamic Center of San Diego Rev. Justine Sullivan, First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego Dr.
Kadri Webb, St. John Church, Oceanside Father Scott Santarosa, Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church Sister Mary Waskowiak, Sisters of Mercy Deacon Carlos Morales, Christ the King Catholic Church Get Our Free Daily Email Newsletter Get the latest local and California news from Times of San Diego delivered to your inbox at 8 a.m.
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