USCCB committee chair: overcome partisanship, heed Catholic teaching on migration
September 16, 2016
As heads of state prepare for a September 19 UN meeting on migrants and refugees, the chairman of the US bishops’ Committee on Migration has called upon Catholics to “overcome the partisan divides that separate us and instead focus on the moral teachings of the Church” on migration.
In his statement, Auxiliary Bishop Eusebio Elizondo of Seattle highlighted several facets of the bishops’ teaching on migration:
- “the responsibility of nations to control their borders”: “maintaining secure and reliable procedures that effectively manage the flow of people entering the United States”
- “the right of people to migrate who are unable to find the means to support themselves and their families in their homeland, or who are fleeing persecution and violence. Sovereign nations should find a way to accommodate this right”
- “help[ing] create the conditions so people do not feel compelled to migrate in the first place. We must promote the common good everywhere, so that people in all nations can live a life where their human dignity is protected.”
- “nurtur[ing] a culture that prioritizes family unity and which rejects situations where families are forced apart because economic opportunities are not available where they live”
For all current news, visit our News home page.
Further information:
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
-
Posted by: feedback -
Sep. 17, 2016 10:19 AM ET USA
When the "migrants" happen to be mostly young, military age men of Muslim persuasion, with unchecked background and reputation for criminal misbehaving, then no amount of solemn talk can boost enthusiasm for welcoming them.
-
Posted by: jrorr19609092 -
Sep. 17, 2016 7:39 AM ET USA
How many of these "migrants" are coming from primarily Catholic countries? What is the Church doing in them to change the conditions so they don't have to "migrate?" To tell other nations they should be open to migrants because that is Church teaching seems to ignore the Church's duty in those countries.
