WASHINGTON—The
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Administrative Committee has issued the
following pastoral reflection in solidarity with those who have been forced to
flee their homes due to violence, conflict or fear in their native lands. In the statement, the bishops encourage each
of us to do what we can to accompany migrants and refugees who seek a better
life in the United States.

The
full text of the Bishops’ Administrative Committee statement can be found
below:

The word of God is truly alive today. “When an alien resides with you in your land,
do not mistreat such a one. You shall
treat the alien who resides with you no differently than the natives born among
you; you shall love the alien as yourself; for you too were once aliens in the
land of Egypt” (Lev. 19:33-34).

To live as a people of God is to live in
the hope of the resurrection. To live in Christ is to draw upon the limitless
love of Jesus to fortify us against the temptation of fear. Pray that our engagement in the debate over
immigration and refugee issues may bring peace and comfort to those most affected
by current and proposed national policy changes.

Let us not lose sight of the fact that
behind every policy is the story of a person in search of a better life. They
may be an immigrant or refugee family sacrificing so that their children might
have a brighter future. As shepherds of
a pilgrim Church, we will not tire in saying to families who have the courage
to set out from their despair onto the road of hope: “We are with you.” They
may also be a family seeking security from an increased threat of extremist
violence. It is necessary to safeguard the United States in a manner that does
not cause us to lose our humanity.

Intense debate is essential to healthy
democracy, but the rhetoric of fear does not serve us well. When we look at one another do we see with
the heart of Jesus? Within our diverse
backgrounds are found common dreams for our children. Hope in the next generation is how the nation
will realize its founding motto, “out of many, one.” In doing so, we will also
realize God’s hope for all His children:
that we would see each other as valued sisters and brothers regardless
of race, religion or national origin.

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Word
made flesh (Jn. 1:14), strengthens us to bring our words to life. How might we, as Catholics and in our own
small way, bring our words of solidarity for migrants and refugees to life?

1.
Pray for an end to the
root causes of violent hatred that force mothers and fathers to flee the only
home they may have known in search of economic and physical security for their
children.

2.
Meet with members of your
parish who are newcomers, listen to their story and share your own. Hundreds of
Catholic parishes across the country have programs for immigrants and refugees
both to comfort them and to help them know their rights. It is also important
to reach out in loving dialogue to those who may disagree with us. The more we come to understand each other’s
concerns the better we can serve one another.
Together, we are one body in Christ.

3.
Call, write or visit
your elected representative and ask them to fix our broken immigration system
in a way that safeguards both our security and our humanity through a generous
opportunity for legal immigration.

As Pope Francis said, “To migrate is the
expression of that inherent desire for the happiness proper to every human
being, a happiness that is to be sought and pursued. For us Christians, all human life is an
itinerant journey towards our heavenly homeland.”

—

Keywords:
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Administrative Committee, USCCB, Pope
Francis, migration, refugees, families, pilgrim Church, extremist violence,
democracy, U.S. security, solidarity.

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Media
Contact:
Judy
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202-541-3200

Source:: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops