Written by Barb Spies, OFS, Director of Mission Services and Pastoral Care

The US Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a “Special Message” on immigration from their plenary assembly in Baltimore. A “Special Message” may only be issued at plenary assemblies, and they are statements which the President of the Conference, the Administrative Committee, or the general membership consider to be appropriate in view of the circumstances at the time. To show the consensus of the body, a Special Message must receive two-thirds of the Conference members present and voting at the plenary in order to pass. In a vote of 216 votes in favor, 5 votes against, and 3 abstentions, the bishops overwhelmingly approved the Special Message, with sustained applause of the body following the vote.

The bishops explain: “As pastors, we the bishops of the United States are bound to our people by ties of communion and compassion in Our Lord Jesus Christ. We are disturbed when we see among our people a climate of fear and anxiety around questions of profiling and immigration enforcement. We are saddened by the state of contemporary debate and the vilification of immigrants. We are concerned about the conditions in detention centers and the lack of access to pastoral care. We lament that some immigrants in the United States have arbitrarily lost their legal status. We are troubled by threats against the sanctity of houses of worship and the special nature of hospitals and schools. We are grieved when we meet parents who fear being detained when taking their children to school and when we try to console family members who have already been separated from their loved ones.”

Catholic Social Teaching and the values held dear by the Felician Sisters urge nations and all people to recognize the fundamental dignity of all persons, including immigrants. “We bishops advocate for a meaningful reform of our nation’s immigration laws and procedures. Human dignity and national security are not in conflict. Both are possible if people of good will work together.” The Gospel calls us to love all of God’s people.

The Felician Sisters came to the United States 150 years ago to serve the Polish immigrant community in Wisconsin. Their ministries continue to serve those on the margins and those in need of special care. The bishops note, “To our immigrant brothers and sisters, we stand with you in your suffering, since, when one member suffers, all suffer (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:26). You are not alone!”

Blessed Angela: “Everything which God wants is good.”