The following statement has been issued by James Rogers, Chief
Communications Officer for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
(USCCB), emphasizing the USCCB position that all human beings are made in the
image and likeness of God and therefore deserving of our respect and
compassion.

Full statement follows:

“Reports of recent disparaging remarks about
African countries and Haiti have aroused great concern. As our brothers
and sisters from these countries are primarily people of color, these alleged
remarks are especially disturbing. All human beings are made in the image
and likeness of God, and comments that denigrate nations and peoples violate
that fundamental truth and cause real pain to our neighbors. It is
regrettable that this comes on the eve of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and could
distract from the urgent bipartisan effort to help Dreamers and those with
Temporary Protected Status. As a vigorous debate continues over the future
of immigration, we must always be sure to avoid language that can dehumanize our
brothers and sisters.”

—
Keyword: U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops; USCCB; Chief Communications
Officer; James Rogers; Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals; DACA; Temporary
Protected Status; TPS; Dreamers; Martin Luther King Jr. Day

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Media contact:
Judy
Keane
202-541-3200

Source:: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops