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Photo courtesy of Getty/BalkansCat
JFI Colleagues
We are excited to unveil a series that delves into the critical issues of migration, a subject that resonates deeply with the Catholic Church for both institutional and moral reasons. Migration, with its complex and multifaceted nature, demands our attention and calls for a nuanced understanding. This initiative isn't about offering comprehensive solutions; instead, it aims to shed light on specific challenges within the U.S. immigration system and the issue of migration generally that warrant a closer look.
Beginning on April 1, 2024 and in each month thereafter, we will introduce a concise backgrounder complemented by a webinar and other resources posted throughout the month, with the purpose of focusing on a particular topic for an in-depth exploration. This series is a testament to the enduring commitment of both the Holy Father and the Catholic bishops of the United States to the cause of migrants—a cause that Pope Francis has championed passionately from the very start of his papacy—as well as to the need for a functioning, reliable, and humane immigration system.
Recall the Pope's poignant visit to Lampedusa, his first journey outside Rome after his election, where he decried the 'globalization of indifference' towards migrants. His lament underscores a vital message: migrants, often sidelined or worse, branded as threats, deserve our attention and care. The Church's teaching urge us to extend a special kind of solidarity to these individuals, recognizing the profound pastoral and policy implications of our engagement with them.
In a landmark gesture of unity and concern, the Catholic bishops of the United States and Mexico presented a pastoral letter in January 2003, titled "Strangers No Longer: Together on the Journey of Hope." This document laid out a Catholic vision for addressing migration, emphasizing compassion and systemic reform. Though over 20 years have passed since Strangers No Longer was released, many of the observations made at that time ring true today. It echoed Pope John Paul II's assertion that in the Church, "no one is a stranger," advocating for a community where newcomers, regardless of their legal status, are embraced as brothers and sisters.
This call to action is about more than just words; it's about embodying the values of solidarity and responsibility towards those living on the margins of society. The bishops and Catholic faithful are united in the mission to advocate for meaningful improvements to the U.S. immigration system, striving for a society that welcomes all persons, native-born and newcomer, with respect and dignity.
As part of this collective endeavor, the U.S. Catholic bishops' Justice for Immigrants Campaign represents a powerful movement towards immigration reform, rallying Catholic organizations and individuals nationwide. This initiative is a clarion call to create a culture of welcome, where the inherent dignity of all migrants is acknowledged and celebrated. Although not abandoning its commitment to immigration reform, as the Campaign has matured over the past two decades its focus has expanded to cover a much wider range of migration-related issues. Many of these issues will be addressed in the coming months as part of this series.
Future backgrounders will explore diverse topics, including challenges confronting migrant farmworkers, family-based immigration, the Religious Worker Visa Program, and the expanded use of humanitarian parole in recent years. Engaging with these and other topics will enrich our understanding and foster a more inclusive and compassionate approach to migration-related policy. It will highlight how Church teaching has informed the bishops engagement on specific areas of migration policy and be careful to note areas that need further discernment as topics are clarified.
This series is more than just an exploration of migration issues—it's an invitation to reflect, learn, and engage with one of the most pressing humanitarian challenges of our time. Join us on this journey of discovery and advocacy, as we seek to make a difference in the lives of migrants and the communities that welcome them. During the coming months, make a commitment to learn a bit more about how Catholic social teaching informs the Church’s work on migration and how you can help to make that connection more palpable in the lives of newcomers and native-born persons alike.
Should you have thoughts on areas of focus worthy of further attention or suggestions how we might better deliver this information to you, please email Todd Scribner at [email protected]
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