Ralph ‘Bucky’ Phillips escaped from jail in Western New York approximately four days before he was to be released. He was incarcerated on a parole violation. After his escape he allegedly shot a NY State Trooper, wounding him during a traffic stop. Phillips has a lengthy record, mostly for burglary.

Today’s Buffalo News ran a story about a priest, the Rev. Patrick Elis of Immaculate Conception R.C. Church who has stepped in to offer Mr. Phillips sanctuary.

I admire Fr. Elis’ effort. It is at once fearless and in keeping with the best in Christian practice. Wikipedia has a great article on the concept of sanctuary and Right of asylum as practiced up through the 17th century (at least in England). As government becomes more and more intrusive maybe we should bring the concept back.

Here is an except from the Buffalo News article Priest offers Phillips sanctuary: Says fugitive can avoid bloodshed with surrender

CASSADAGA – As a police helicopter kept buzzing circles over a heavily wooded area off Route 60, the local priest offered a peaceful solution Thursday to the around-the-clock hunt for fugitive Ralph “Bucky” Phillips.

“I would like to make our rectory a safe haven for him to give himself up,” the Rev. Patrick Elis said. “With the army of police officers [hunting for him], he may be terribly frightened and intimidated. If he showed up at our back door, I could arrange for him to have a safe place to give himself up.”

The back of Elis’ church, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church on North Main Street, looks out at the large wooded area being combed by dozens of state troopers Thursday, following a day when police confirmed three sightings of the fugitive Phillips.

“My concern, as the priest in this community, is that there be no bloodshed, that the gentleman not be injured, the police not be injured and the people not be injured, that this ends peacefully,” Elis added.