Archdiocese Evicts Priests & Staff from St. Mary’s, Elizabeth
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We have learned that the entire religious and lay staff of St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Elizabeth has been dismissed and ordered off the premises by January 2.
First Friends was initiated as a ministry of St. Mary’s in 2001 as Msgr. Harrington and the religious staff responded to the social justice needs of the immigrant community and the detainees at the Elizabeth Detention Center. Since then, St. Mary’s has maintained unwavering support of our service and advocacy for immigrant detainees.
This action by the Archbishop of Newark was done without consultation with the staff and parish, St. Mary’s has existed for some 200 years in Elizabeth. Msgr Harrington has been its pastor for more than 2O years.
St Mary’s has been a leader in the movement for immigrant rights and justice in New Jersey. This abrupt action by the Archdiocese of Newark disrupts this leadership, hurts the community and is disrespectful of the entire staff.
A former asylum seeker and current student, who was assisted by IRATE & First Friends and currently living in residence at St. Mary’s needs to find new accommodations.
