In light of recent statements and actions of our federal government we are compelled to express our solidarity with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), a host of ecumenical and faith leaders, and many others in our combined support for migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers.
Immigration is a complex and oftentimes life-or-death issue that touches the lives of many families and children. While our Nation’s immigration system is badly broken and desperately in need of repair – and the waves of immigration of recent years are unsustainable – any approach that villainizes those in the midst of a humanitarian crisis is inconsistent with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For Catholics, our ministries to those arriving at our borders are an essential part of our deeply held religious beliefs. And while we remain deeply concerned for the safety and welfare of our Catholic flocks, we equally serve and advocate for those who do not belong to our Church. In all things we are motivated solely by the words of Jesus. This motivation and foundation of all our efforts is articulated beautifully by Pope Francis in his recent Papal Bull on the Jubilee Year of Hope. It is there that the Holy Father writes “May the Lord’s words in the great parable of the Last Judgement always find an echo in our hearts: “I was a stranger and you welcomed me” for “just as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you did it to me” (Mt 25:35.40).”
In recent years our Church has been providing humanitarian aid to legally processed refugees and asylum seekers brought to us by agents of Border Patrol or ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement]. To be clear, none of these were undocumented or functioning outside of federal law. Meeting in person with those fleeing death, starvation, extreme poverty, persecution or great fear, is almost always an intense and powerful encounter with the wounded Christ Himself. Again, motivated by the Gospel of Jesus Christ and our Church’s teachings, we insist that immigration enforcement be targeted toward violent criminals – whose withdrawal from our Nation we endorse – but also matched by immediate action in Congress to create an immigration system that is humane, sustainable, recognizes the human dignity of all, and is true to our great Nation’s founding principles.
There is much that has been written or asserted about the Catholic Church’s ministry to migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. Some of these assertions are fully accurate; a great many are not. Our deep concern for this vulnerable population, and our resulting ministries, are motivated solely by the Gospel of Jesus Christ and our Church’s resulting efforts are works of mercy – an essential ministry of our Church.
We encourage anyone wanting to learn the facts about the work of the Catholic Church in this area, or to dispel misconceptions or inaccuracies related to migration ministries, to find the best and most accurate information at: usccb.org/resources/migrationclaims.pdf.
Most Rev. John P. Dolan
Bishop of Phoenix
Most Rev. Edward J. Weisenburger
Bishop of Tucson
Most Rev. James S. Wall
Bishop of Gallup
Most Rev. Eduardo Nevares
Auxiliary Bishop of Phoenix