WASHINGTON—Archbishop
Timothy Broglio, Chairman of the Committee on International Justice and Peace
of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), and Bishop Joe S.
Vásquez, Chairman of the USCCB Committee on Migration, expressed disappointment
after the Trump Administration announced on Saturday, December 2, 2017, that
the U.S. government is withdrawing from the process of the United Nations (UN)
to develop a Global Compact on Migration. That
process was begun when the UN General Assembly ratified the New York
Declaration for
Refugees and Migrants on September 19, 2016.

“Catholic
social teaching on migration recognizes and respects the sovereignty of each
nation, indeed each nation’s right and responsibility, to ultimately decide how
it will regulate migration into its territory,” explained Bishop Vásquez. “The
Church has long articulated that it is the obligation of nations to assure
human rights for all migrants and special protections for vulnerable migrants,
such as refugees, forced migrants, victims of human trafficking, and women and
children at risk. Pope Francis has described such obligations as part of
building ‘global solidarity’ on behalf of migrants and refugees. In fact, the
Bishops continue to promote the international campaign initiated by Pope
Francis, Share the Journey, as a sign of solidarity with our immigrant brothers
and sisters.”

“With
a growing global concern about protracted forced migration situations, the UN
process provides an opportunity for the United States to help build
international cooperation that respects such rights and protections on behalf
of those seeking safety and security for their families. Participation in that process allows the US
to draw on our experience and influence the compact,” said Archbishop
Broglio. “Therefore, the USCCB encourages the Administration to reconsider
its decision to withdraw from this process.”

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Keywords: U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops,
USCCB, Archbishop Timothy Broglio, Committee on International Justice and Peace,
Bishop Joe S. Vásquez, Committee on Migration, United Nations, New York
Declaration for Refugees and Migrants, human rights, human trafficking, women,
children, Pope Francis, migrants, refugees, safety, security.

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Media Contact:
Judy Keane
202-541-3200

Source:: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops