US parishes emphasize immigration reform at Sunday Masses

September 09, 2013

Dioceses across the United States placed special emphasis on immigration during Masses on Sunday, according to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

September 8 had been selected by the US bishops' conference as a day for special focus on the question of immigration. The nationwide campaign was complicated when Pope Francis asked for a worldwide campaign of prayer for peace in Syria during the same weekend.

In some dioceses, plans for a campaign to muster Catholic support for immigration reform were set aside temporarily, as parishes joined in the Pope's campaign of prayers for peace. In Arizona, Bishop Gerald Kicanas of Tucson explained that while the prayers for peace might take precedence on September 8, "we are certainly continuing our efforts to encourage members to support immigration reform." In other dioceses, the immigrant message remained on the top of the agenda.

Some bishops asked all priests to preach on immigration during weekend Masses. According to US bishops’ Justice for Immigrants campaign:

• “Diocese of Arlington, VA: Bishop Paul Loverde has asked pastors in the diocese to talk about immigration at Masses during the weekend.”
• “Diocese of Buffalo: At the request of Bishop Richard Malone, concern for immigrants must be mentioned at all Masses this weekend.”
• “Archdiocese of Kansas City, KS: Archbishop Joseph Nauman [sic] asked his priests to speak on immigration at the Sunday Masses.”
• “Archdiocese of Los Angeles: Archbishop Jose Gomez has asked every parish (288 in all) in the Archdiocese to dedicate at least one Mass for Immigration Reform this weekend. If this does not fit into the parish schedule, parishes are asked to celebrate a special mass for this intention sometime in September.”
• “Diocese of Reno: Bishop Randolph Calvo has asked all parishes to focus on immigration on Sunday, September 8.”
• “Diocese of Richmond, VA: Bishop Francis DiLorenzo has asked pastors in the diocese to talk about immigration at Masses during the weekend.”

 

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Further information:

• Catholics Nationwide Push For Immigration Reform (USCCB)
• Weekend of September 7-8, 2013 Events, Activities and Catholic Masses in Support of Immigration Reform (Justice for Immigrants)
• Catholic Church getting more aggressive on immigration reform (Los Angeles Times)
• Cardinal O’Malley Makes Push For Immigration Reform (AP)
• Atlanta Catholic church calls for immigration overhaul (Journal-Constitution)
• Catholics to address immigration nationwide (Arizona Republic)
• GB Diocese supports immigration reform (Fox)