Apex churches are following Jesus in standing with the vulnerable. As an Apex resident, I could not be prouder.
On September 24, Apex area churches took the lead in mobilizing approximately 75 people, filling the council chamber, asking the Apex Council to protect approximately 1,100 residents in three Apex manufactured home communities that are vulnerable to displacement from redevelopment. Quoting key concepts of their faith, 4 church leaders lovingly spoke and their congregants quietly held “Protect our Community!” signs.
Rev. Jose Luis Villaseñor of Fiesta Cristiana presented a pastoral letter signed by 14 pastors, representing over 24,000 congregants. “We have an obligation as faith leaders to find solutions to prevent their displacement due to socioeconomic factors out of their control.” Quoting Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, “there is nothing new about poverty. What is new, however, is that we have the resources to get rid of it.” He stated, “We can do this. Let's stand together with our neighbors to build a more loving and diverse community.”
Rev. Dr. Tirzah Turner of Crosspointe Church delivered a letter signed by an additional 1,000 individuals that wanted their voices to be heard directly. She stated, “Our faith calls and compels us to look outside of ourselves and to care for one another. When something affects one of us, it affects us all. And their fear of displacement should also be our own. The decisions we make regarding these communities will speak loudly about the type of community we are and want to be.”
“We have seen residents of manufacturing housing communities be displaced across Wake County, stated Carolyn Wilson of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church. “We call on you to use your local government authority to stop the displacement trend in Wake County here in Apex.” Quoting Fr. Scott McCue, “One of the seven themes of Catholic Social Teaching is ‘A Preferential Option for the Poor and Vulnerable’. A basic moral test for our society is how our most vulnerable members are faring. We are instructed to always put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first.”
“Many of the residents of Apex's mobile home parks are Hispanics that attend our local parishes,” said Fr. Bill John Acosta-Escobar of St Bernadette Catholic Parish. “It is painful to picture losing a good number of parishioners, especially when you know they are doing so much good and are needed here. When children must break friendships, support structures, and transfer schools because of economic issues it is heart breaking, and I question if that is able to be justified. Please support these residents by protecting the land they live on.”
At an upcoming meeting, the Council will discuss how to protect these 1,100 residents from displacement thanks to the voice of the Apex faith community. When followers of Jesus, and other people of faith, stand with the vulnerable, we build the type of community Jesus called the kingdom of God. Our Jewish friends call shalom. Dr. King calls the beloved community, where all are loved, protected and thrive. These 4 faith leaders, and the 12 Apex congregations that signed the pastoral letter, are leading the way.