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THE RIGHT OF SANCTUARY

JESUS SAID, "He who seeks will find, and he who knocks will be let in." Gospel of Thomas 94

WHAT IS SANCTUARY?

The good Christians or Cathars is the only Christian fellowship that continues to fully uphold the ancient right of sanctuary. Sanctuary is provided for people who have a legitimate case that they have been unjustly treated by the authorities or, who may wish to withdraw from the world due to bona fide religious persecution. 

WHY TAKE THIS RISK?

We are directed by Jesus Christ to take such a position. Indeed, we have no choice if we are truly seeking to act in his name and follow his example. Jesus Christ "executes justice for the oppressed;" (Psalms 146:7) and extends the hand of protection and security to those wrongly accused, for those "without cause they hid a net for me; without cause they dug a pit for my life." (Psalms 35:7). 

In the book of Acts we read how the Angels of the Lord freed from prison the Apostles (acts 5:19) and Peter (Acts 12:7-11) and how believers helped Paul to escape from the ruler of a city and the police (2 Corinthians 11:32-33). 

OPPOSED TO THE SYSTEM

The good Christians are called to provide the strongest form of spiritual opposition to the Powers who rule in this present age. However, we must remember that even in their fallen state, some institutions are still able to preserve freedom and secure justice to a certain degree. 

WHO CALLS THE SHOTS?

The reality if the continuing battle between GOOD and EVIL must remain fixed and constant in our attitude towards those who argue that while human and imperfect, human governments are in every case to be obeyed. This simply has no basis in the sayings and Teachings of Jesus Christ.

The Powers who rule are limited and responsible to GOD. They must serve the humanising purposes of GOD in the world. That is the message of Romans 13:1-7 "Be subject to the governing authorities". 

SUPPORT GOOD, NOT BAD

This does not mean blind obedience to government. That also does not mean that all governments are evil. What it means is that governments are to be a terror not to good conduct but to bad (verses 3-4). Governments and agents of those governments who do the reverse and reward, encourage, or practice bad conduct are a terror to those who do good and have no claim on our support. Please read our leaftlet: "Good Christians and Government " found on this web site. 

Let's look at some examples in quiet Canada. In Montreal and Toronto, Canada's two largest cities, it would appear that a higher than average number of citizens die each year at the hands of the local police, coincidentally enough, blacks, young people and other "minorities". The police claim most of these deaths to be "accidents" and refuse to allow the public to properly investigate. In fact, is has become quite normal for the police to say that no public inquiry should be held. The officers in question are rarely demoted, and if so, only for a short time. 

In a case that caught the attention of the country, several police were finally convicted of brutally beating a cab driver, leaving him in a comatose state. They were tried and convicted by a judge and jury. The Montreal chief of police stated that even though these officers had been convicted of a criminal offence involving a gross abuse of the public trust, they might not be fired. Nor in fact  were they. In some instances there are officers who have been involved in multiple cases of suspicious deaths against minorities. If taken to criminal court, this might be considered similar fact behaviour. 

What does this say? It says that sometimes the fallen institution i.e. the courts (in this case with a jury) could be a terror to bad conduct. The actions of the police chief and his department were quite the reverse: in this -- and related cases -- were a terror to the good and practised bad conduct. 

Is this a cause for us to paint all police with the same brush? No, and we would invite you to read our leaflets, "What Do You Say to a Police Officer? " and "The good Christian and the Police". But it does mean that there are certain standards the New Testament has which define the limitations of our obedience. If the authorities go beyond those limits, they no longer serve as ministers of GOD. 

THE SYSTEM IS TOAST

Providing sanctuary is one means at our disposal to put the Powers of this System on notice that the "present age is passing away." (1 Corinthians 7:31) replaced by GOD's Kingdom in their midst. 

CHRIST EVADED A WARRANT

For those who criticise our giving sanctuary to those against whom an arrest warrant has been issued, we remind them that the Lord Jesus Christ himself evaded the execution of an arrest warrant. Hard to believe isn't it? But let's look in the Gospel of John, chapter 10 verse 39 where it says: "They tried again to arrest Him, but He slipped through their fingers." Clearly this was not the first time either! 

CHRISTIAN RESPONSIBILITY

Jesus Christ intended -- and succeed -- in destabilising the Powers who rule. The Church was given the responsibility to carry His message in different times and transform society by giving life to that message. This is a serious obligation for good Christians and should not be treated lightly. 

CONDITIONS OF SANCTUARY

1. BE STRAIGHT UP -- DON'T FEED US A LINE . We will need to review the records of your lawyer, media reports and family statements. 

2. SANCTUARY IS OFFERED FOR 40 DAYS. You will then decide whether to fight the injustice using the courts or other means, or go on the run permanently. 

3. CATHARS DO NOT IGNORE THE SYSTEM . Instead, we question its relevancy, its sense of justice as representatives of GOD's Word. While the System ignores the Christian churches and thinks them weak and powerless, we seek to resolve the problem by negotiation and reconciliation with out - of - court settlements whenever possible as mediators in the name of Jesus Christ. There is no more powerful a role that can be played by the Body of Christ than to act as protectors of GOD's people. 

4. SANCTUARY IS A LAST RESORT. First explore all the options open to you. Seek assistance and advice. Be creative. We are here to provide that information and if that fails, sanctuary as a last resort. 

5. SANCTUARY MEANS A SAFE PLACE, NOT A NEW BASE. You agree not to enter into a situation which may bring you into conflict with the police or the civil authorities. 

THE BOTTOM LINE:

1. JESUS CHRIST EVADED THE POLICE MORE THAN ONCE; EVEN WHEN THEY HAD A VALID WARRANT OUT FOR HIS ARREST. 

2. ANGELS SPRUNG APOSTLES OUT OF PRISON AND SET THEM FREE, AS DID AN ANGEL WITH PETER. 

3. GOOD CHRISTIAN BELIEVERS HID PAUL AND HELPED HIM TO ESCAPE FROM THE RULERS AND POLICE IN DAMASCUS. 

We are to do all we can to provide a GODly sanctuary for all those who have a legitimate need to withdraw from society or evade the System.

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