Bishop Johnston urges compassion amid uncertainty

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

LEER EN ESPANOL

In these times of uncertainty, I reach out to you with a heart full of compassion and a steadfast commitment to our shared faith. Recent executive orders have raised concerns within our community, particularly regarding their impact on our immigrant families, our schools and our parishes. As your shepherd, I wish to offer guidance rooted in the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ and the enduring principles of the Catholic Church.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has consistently emphasized the Church’s unwavering dedication to upholding the dignity of every human person, regardless of their immigration status. Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, president of the USCCB, reminds us that our actions as a nation should “demonstrate a genuine care for our most vulnerable sisters and brothers, including the unborn, the poor, the elderly and infirm, and migrants and refugees.”

Furthermore, Bishop Mark J. Seitz of El Paso, Texas, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Migration, has expressed deep concern that certain policies may “subject vulnerable families and children to grave danger.”

Nations and communities have a right to protect the common good, but this must not violate the other moral rights attached to the dignity of the human person, nor the moral obligation of Christians to help those in need.

In light of these developments, I call upon all members of our diocesan family—parishioners, educators, students, and clergy—to embody the Gospel values of love, mercy, and justice. Let us:

  • Pray Fervently: Seek divine guidance for our nation’s leaders, that they may enact policies reflecting compassion and respect for human dignity.
  • Educate Ourselves: Understand the teachings of the Church on migration and the rights of individuals, articulated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church #2241, and as outlined by the USCCB’s Migration and Refugee Services.
  • Extend a Hand of Welcome: Offer support and solidarity to migrants and refugees within our communities, recognizing Christ in the stranger among us.
  • Advocate for Justice: Engage in peaceful and constructive dialogue, urging our policymakers to consider the moral implications of their decisions and to work for comprehensive immigration reform.

Additionally, I want to reassure you that we treat the names and identities of our school students, families, and parishioners as confidential information. We will not voluntarily release this information to anyone, including law enforcement, absent an obligation to do so by court order or subpoena.

As we navigate these challenges, let us remember the words of our Lord: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40). Together, anchored in faith and united in love, we can be beacons of hope and instruments of God’s peace.

May the Holy Family of Nazareth, themselves once refugees, guide and protect us all.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

+Bishop James V. Johnston, Jr.

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