Indiana Guv, Catholic Group At Odds Over Syrian Refugees Headed For State

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence (R) met with Indianapolis Archbishop Joseph Tobin on Wednesday after Catholic Charities announced plans to resettle Syrian refugees in the state this month despite objections from Pence.

Following the Paris terrorist attack, the governor ordered state agencies to suspend aid to refugees from Syria, citing security concerns. And he has asked that Catholic Charities refrain from resettling a Syrian family in the state in December.

However, the Catholic Church so far has stated that it will still help the Syrian family move to Indiana and that it has received donations to cover the costs of resettling the family, according to the Indianapolis Star.

"We’re moving ahead with the intention that they are coming here," Greg Otolski, spokesman for the archdiocese, told the Indianapolis Star this week. “Unless something happens that makes the situation seem really unwelcoming in Indiana, we want them here.”