Mayor Wu met with local faith leaders on Tuesday as part of a multi-day listening tour that also included meetings with activists in Mattapan and East Boston as she prepares to offer testimony – and, likely, face tough questioning— at a Congressional hearing set for the morning of March 5 in Washington.

Wu, along with the mayors of Denver, Chicago, and New York City, has been called before the House Oversight Committee – a group made up of 26 Republicans and 21 Democrats – over allegations of Boston’s “violations of laws and general principals” for having the Boston Trust Act and for being labelled a Sanctuary City.

“There is a sense of fear and confusion throughout the communities and many of these incredible faith leaders are the ones who carry that,” she said on Tuesday. “It was so deeply valuable and important to have the chance to hear directly from faith leaders across the city about what the impacts have been…This is a part of how I’ve been thinking about getting ready for the chance to speak before Congress in a few days.”

Above, Rev. Arlene Hall of the Deliverance Temple Worship Center on Columbia Road said many naturalized citizens who have been in the country decades are even scared. She added that “anyone that wants to bring hell to Boston; well, we have Heaven.” Seth Daniel photo

The faith leaders invited to a meeting at Boston City Hall’s Civic Pavilion included Imam Abdulqadir Farah of the Islamic Society of Boston, Arlene Hall of Deliverance Temple Worship Center on Columbia Road, Bishop William Dickerson II of Greater Love Tabernacle, Mark Scott of Azusa Christian Community in Four Corners, Mariama White-Hammond of Dorchester’s New Roots AME Church, Father Mark O’Connell of the Archdiocese of Boston, Father John Curry of St. Peter’s Church, Bishop Nicolas Homicil of Voice of the Gospel Tabernacle Ministry in Mattapan, Willie Bodrick II of 12th Baptist Church in Roxbury, and Gregory Groover of the Charles Street AME Church in Roxbury.

In the meeting, which The Reporter attended, they told the mayor that many of their congregants are scared and fearful. Some aren’t coming to church, others aren’t sending kids to school, and few will venture out to get help in any fashion. Additionally, they said, undocumented parents are distraught about separation from children born here and have been writing important phone numbers in permanent marker on children’s arms in case something happens.

“We run a food pantry, and no one will come out to get food anymore,” said Pastor Homicil. And Rev. Bodrick said he hoped the mayor would communicate the “frenzy” and “fearmongering” that recent policies and statements have caused.

“They are talking about the end of TPS (Temporary Protective Status),” said Bodrick. “So, we’re talking about the removal of hundreds of thousands of people back to an island without a clear agenda. It’s going to create fear, and a frenzy and people are going to hide and do what they need to do.

Above, Rev. Willie Bodrick II of the 12th Baptist Church in Roxbury. Seth Daniel photo

He added: “I am the pastor of a church that was on the Underground Railroad, and we’ve always been a sanctuary for people…At this moment, all churches are going to have to be spots on this new Underground Railroad, if you will.”

He noted that what the federal border czar, Tom Homan, said to Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox about “bringing hell to Boston” was not helpful.

“What was said to the commissioner was unnecessary, and we should speak up,” Bodrick said. “This is a moment to speak truth to power and we shouldn’t be afraid.”

Rev. Hall spoke to the fact that many people who are naturalized US citizens are also afraid. “I didn’t realize so many individuals who are citizens, but who came from another country a long time ago, were experiencing this fear and staying home as well,” she said.

“My prayer is that you would share with the Oversight Committee that the fear has a far reach beyond just someone who came here two months ago and that influx they think is all that’s being impacted.”

She added, “Whoever is planning to come to Boston to bring hell; well, we’re from Heaven. Last time I checked that’s the dominant power.”

Pastor Scott said he hoped that the mayor would relay that these policies have a negative effect on public safety, including in domestic violence situations where those in abusive relationships are afraid to come forward or those who have been victims of crime are afraid to report it.

The archdiocese’s O’Connell said he hoped the mayor could coordinate all faith leaders to get correct information, rather than the rumors that are swirling around.

“We have people not coming to church and the fear is real,” he said. “However, the fear is also a strategy being used against us. What I think would be very beneficial is we as a group keep each other informed of what is really happening – are they really coming into churches or schools?”

Added Rev. Groover, “I hope you will accentuate that the policies President Trump wants to implement will have adverse impacts on the issue that Boston in its recent years has become an unapologetically diverse city. We’re not ashamed of that. Diversity is a foreign language to them, but it’s who we are…We’re proud of that and stand on that.”

All the leaders agreed to stand on what they do best – pray – and to have a special time to do so within their services this week as a boost for Mayor Wu and the City of Boston. Others talked about organizing a community time of prayer at a central location in Boston at 10 a.m. on March 5, which is also Ash Wednesday for Christians.