Pennsylvania faith leaders, community unite in interfaith vigil for immigrants

Interfaith procession and prayer vigil in area of high Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity.

On Sunday, September 14, people of diverse faith traditions and goodwill gathered in Montgomery County, PA, for an Interfaith Procession and Vigil in Solidarity with Our Immigrant Neighbors. The event was a powerful, public response to heightened Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in the region.

The gathering was sponsored by the Anti-Racism Commission of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania, and brought together clergy, congregants, activists, and community members from across Montgomery County and beyond.

Held in the heart of a community directly impacted by recent immigration enforcement, the procession made six meaningful stops, including the Montgomery County Courthouse. At each location, participants paused for prayer and recited the names of individuals detained or deported from the county, transforming public spaces into sites of remembrance.

The event culminated in a candlelight prayer vigil and a community networking reception, offering space for reflection, unity, and a renewed commitment to justice.

“We gathered today not only to stand in solidarity but to lift up those whose presence here could put them at risk”. Voices of faith and prayer filled the streets on their behalf.

Participants carried signs and banners adorned with Scripture, poetry, and spiritual teachings — all echoing calls for compassion, justice, and protection for immigrants and all those affected by discriminatory policies.

This interfaith gathering served as a visible and vocal reminder that communities of faith are united in opposing fear, discrimination, and deportation. Organizers and attendees reaffirmed their shared dedication to creating a safe, welcoming, and inclusive community for all.

— Toneh Smyth is canon for mission in the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania.