Church sanctuary violated by Quebec police

By Audrey Martin

THE NOTION of the safety of church sanctuary was called into question in Quebec City last week, following the removal of an Algerian refugee and activist from the Saint-Pierre United Church on March 5.

Cherfi had been invited to stay by the church's minister, Rev. Gerald Dore, who called the event "shocking, shameful and scandalous."

The practice of taking refuge in churches began in the 4th century. This incident is being reported as the first time the tradition has been violated in Canada.

Mohamed Cherfi, a Canadian resident for seven years, had been staying in the church since February 18. He was removed by an estimated 10 local police officers, and was handed over to Canadian Border Security Agency personnel -- who then turned him over to American authorities. Cherfi came to Canada through the United States in 1998 and has been active in resisting deportation of hundreds of fellow Algerians. A moratorium on repatriation to Algeria was lifted in 2002.

Rev. Brian Burch, president of St. Clare's Multifaith Housing Society in Toronto and an active supporter of Cherfi's, told CC.com, "The sanctuary invasion strikes at the heart of the calling of Christians to see the Christ in all [people], and to care for others in their need."

The Ontario Coalition Against Poverty said the action sends a clear signal that Immigration Canada officials "have no qualms about violating church sanctuary, the final place of refuge to which people seeking asylum are forced to turn. The Canadian state is sending a clear message that they will go to extreme lengths to hunt down people fleeing deportation."

"We condemn this reprehensible tactic and demand immediate release and landing of Mohamed Cherfi," the coalition stated in a letter to Judy Sgro, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.

Burch told CC.com the Quebec incident did not bode well for religious freedom in Canada. "If our sacred spaces are not respected, what other aspects of our faith will be under attack? We've already seen the courts in Ontario convict people of trespassing for praying on the steps of the Ontario legislature. It seems that in private or public being faithful is a difficult challenge."

A vigil to bring back Mohamed Cherfi was held March 9 in front of the Toronto home of Sgro. Several groups have been formed in support of Cherfi, including a Solidarity Committee for Mohamed.

-- Additional reporting by David F. Dawes