Cardinal Mahony asks Pope to issue document on immigration

April 26, 2012

In a recent blog post, Cardinal Roger Mahony revealed that he has asked Pope Benedict to issue a document on migration.

“My report to the Holy Father centered on the issue of immigration and the current phenomenon of world-wide migration,” the retired Los Angeles archbishop recounted as he discussed his recent ad limina visit to Rome. “Some 212 million people are on the move around the world, most of them fleeing various threats and deprivations: wars, terrorism, famine, political unrest, and the search for a place of peace and opportunity for their families.”

Cardinal Mahony continued:

I pointed out to the Holy Father that the last major Papal pronouncement on immigration was the Apostolic Constitution by Pope Pius XII, Exsul Familia, issued August 1, 1952—some 60 years ago. That document was issued following the Second World War and while the world was facing enormous displacement of peoples caused by that war.

I suggested to the Pope that it would be very opportune if he would consider issuing a new Papal document on the challenges facing today’s migrants around the world, and on the Church’s response to this phenomenon in our own time. He was most attentive, and asked me directly, “Do you have a proposal?” Fortunately, I had prepared a letter to him on this very issue and gave it to his secretary at our meeting.

 

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Further information:

• Meeting with Pope Benedict XVI (Cardinal Roger Mahony Blogs L.A.)