[NJ.com] Nearly 100 New Jersey religious leaders have signed a letter urging Gov. Chris Christie as "a man of faith" to reconsider his widely-publicized statements that the nation refuse all Syrian refugees, even "orphans under age 5."
With worldwide fears inflamed by the Nov. 13 terror attacks on Paris, the Republican governor and presidential contender has said the country's "broken" screening and monitoring system cannot be trusted. He wrote to President Obama saying New Jersey will not participate in any resettlement activities that places Syrian refugees here.
"The fact is that we need for appropriate vetting, and I don't think that orphans under 5 should be admitted to the United States at this point," Christie said on conservative talk show host Hugh Hewitt's syndicated radio show on Nov. 16.
Alarmed by the governor's statements, Rabbi Jesse M. Olitzky of Congregation Beth El in South Orange said he asked congregants how he should respond. The result is a letter sent Tuesday, signed by 95 clergy members from across the state and from many faiths.
In it, they respectfully but firmly tell the governor his statements "do not speak for us, our faiths, or our communities."
Ed. note: Signers include the Rev. David DeSmith of St. David's Church, Kinnelon; the Rev. Bernard Poppe of St. George's Church, Maplewood; and the Rev. Canon Dr. Sandye Wilson of St. Andrew and Holy Communion, South Orange.
