Christ Church Cathedral on Indianapolis' Monument Circle has locked up the Holy Family on its lawn to protest Trump administration policies that have led to the detention of thousands of children and families seeking asylum in the United States. Staff photo by Dan Carden
INDIANAPOLIS — A prominent Episcopal church in Indiana's capital city is calling attention to President Donald Trump's "zero tolerance" border policies by applying them to three of the most famous refugees in world history.
Christ Church Cathedral on Tuesday placed on its lawn statues of Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus locked inside a fenced cage that's topped with barbed wire.
The display is intended to mirror the images of children and families, many fleeing danger in their homelands, being held in detention by the Trump administration along the southern border, according to the church.
"Holy Scripture is clear about how we are to treat people trying to find safety for their families — we are to show mercy and welcome them. Jesus, Mary and Joseph were homeless and fled danger to seek asylum," said Steve Carlsen, dean and rector of the cathedral.
"The Holy Family today calls us to stand with all families seeking safety and a future for their children. We will not stand by while children are being taken from their parents, and families are being taken from our communities and congregations."
The cathedral is located on Monument Circle at the center of Indianapolis. Hundreds of thousands of people are likely to see the display Wednesday as they congregate downtown for the city's annual Independence Day fireworks show.
Carlsen said he hopes the caged icons will inspire people of good will and faith to recognize that the U.S. policy of separating families must end.
"We must not be divided by race, language or culture, but reach out to care for our neighbors — because every family is sacred," Carlsen said.
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