Editorial

Our primary concern must be to ensure the human rights and dignity of all

Earlier this month, Pope Francis took the unusual step of writing to the bishops of the United States about the Trump administration’s policies regarding deportation of illegal immigrants. Noting that “this is not a minor issue,” the pope outlined 10 points for prayerful consideration by the bishops as they minister to the people who are affected by these actions.

The pope does not question the administration’s right to enforce our nation’s laws or to regulate immigration in an orderly way. He also acknowledges that individuals who commit crimes—in their country of origin or in the United States—must be dealt with according to the law. However, he expresses grave concern for immigrants who are unfairly associated with criminals and whose human rights and dignity are threatened by mass deportations.

Quoting the 1952 apostolic constitution of Pope Pius XII, “Exsul Familia,” which is considered to be the “magna carta” for the Church’s teachings on the treatment of immigrants, Pope Francis writes:

The family of Nazareth in exile, Jesus, Mary and Joseph, emigrants in Egypt and refugees there to escape the wrath of an ungodly king, are the model, the example and the consolation of emigrants and pilgrims of every age and country, of all refugees of every condition who, beset by persecution or necessity, are forced to leave their homeland, beloved family and dear friends for foreign lands.

We are called to recognize the faces of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph in those who are forced to leave their homelands because of political violence, economic instability or religious persecution. Our response should never be one of racism, intolerance or indifference. These are our sisters and brothers, who, like the Holy Family, have been forced to leave their homelands for a better life.

Our primary concern must be to ensure the human rights and dignity of migrants who are not nameless, faceless people who have “invaded” our country. They are our sisters and brothers in Christ. Their fraternal relationship with us places demands on us, challenging us to receive them as we would receive the Lord himself.

The Holy Father says:

I have followed closely the major crisis that is taking place in the United States with the initiation of a program of mass deportations. The rightly formed conscience cannot fail to make a critical judgment and express its disagreement with any measure that tacitly or explicitly identifies the illegal status of some migrants with criminality. At the same time, one must recognize the right of a nation to defend itself and keep communities safe from those who have committed violent or serious crimes while in the country or prior to arrival. That said, the act of deporting people who in many cases have left their own land for reasons of extreme poverty, insecurity, exploitation, persecution or serious deterioration of the environment, damages the dignity of many men and women, and of entire families, and places them in a state of particular vulnerability and defenselessness.

Our nation’s right to self-defense and to the regulation of processes for immigration does not justify the inhumane treatment of people who have come here in search of freedom and the chance to make a better life for themselves and their families.

Pope Francis urges us to discover the proper response to our migrant brothers and sisters by “meditating constantly on the parable of the ‘Good Samaritan’ [Lk 10:25-37]” and, by sharing the love that “builds a fraternity open to all, without exception.” He concludes his letter with an appeal to Our Lady of Guadalupe:

May the “Virgen Morena,” who knew how to reconcile peoples when they were at enmity, grant us all to meet again as brothers and sisters, within her embrace, and thus take a step forward in the construction of a society that is more fraternal, inclusive and respectful of the dignity of all.

Regardless of our political philosophy, all Catholics should be advocates for a society that respects the dignity of all. We should let our government officials know that we cannot tolerate any actions that violate the basic human rights of men, women and children who have come to our country in search of the same liberty, justice, and equality that we believe are the God-given rights of all.

May our Blessed Mother, who was herself a migrant, inspire us to safeguard the rights and dignity of all members of God’s family.

—Daniel Conway