The House of Bishops, at the conclusion of the Sept. 16-21 meeting in Phoenix, told the Episcopal Church that the starting point for any effort towards immigration reform begins with "an obligation to advocate for every undocumented worker as already being a citizen of God's reign on earth and one for whom Christ died."
The statement came in a 17-page document titled "The Nation and the Common Good: Reflections on Immigration Reform," which is meant to be used as a theological resource on migration and immigration.
In an accompanying pastoral letter, the bishops rooted their statements in the baptismal covenant's call to respect the dignity of every human being.
A printable version of the pastoral letter can be found at http://www.episcopalchurch.org/documents/Pastoral_Letter_9-21-10.pdf
For more about the House of Bishops meeting in Phoenix, see Episcopal Life Online's coverage at http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79425_124667_ENG_HTM.htm