"Sacred Ground, Contested Space: The Sanctuary Movement Past and Present"

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Across faith traditions, sanctuary has long been understood as sacred ground—a moral commitment to protect human life when laws and systems fail to do so. This panel traces the roots of the U.S. sanctuary movement from the 1980s, when faith communities opened their doors to refugees fleeing violence in Central America, to present-day efforts in Chicago where congregations, advocates, and legal partners continue to offer welcome, protection, and accompaniment to migrants.
Bringing together faith leaders, legal practitioners, and immigrant advocates—this program will reflect on sanctuary as an expression of conscience and solidarity.

Panel 1:
Pastor Alison Harrington, South Presbyterian Church, Tucson, AZ
Rabbi Rachael Weiss, Evanston, IL
Representative from Our Lady of Guadalupe, Chicago, IL

Panel 2:
Thomas Geoghean, Despres, Schwartz, and Geoghegan, Ltd
Michael Okinczyc-Cruz, Loyola University Chicago, Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership (CSPL)
Mark Kuczewski, Loyola Stritch School of Medicine, Director of the Neiswanger Institute for Bioethics and Health Policy

 

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Co-Sponsors

Center for the Human Rights of Children, Loyola School of Law
Neiswanger Institute for Bioethics and Healthcare Leadership, Stritch School of Medicine
Center for Immigrant and Refugee Accompaniment, Loyola School of Social Work
The Hank Center for Catholic Intellectual Heritage, Loyola University Chicago
The Institute for Pastoral Studies, Loyola University Chicago
School of Education, Loyola University Chicago
Public Health Sciences, Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health
Center for Community and Global Health, Stritch School of Medicine