Catholic leaders warn the exodus of Ukrainian women and children presents a prime opportunity for human trafficking, and they are taking steps to protect the refugees.
Immigration and Migration
Catholic refugees from Afghanistan in ‘purgatory’ waiting for visas
Although the United States left Afghanistan at the end of August, it left behind thousands still affected by the resulting turmoil. Among them is an Afghan Catholic family of five.
Immigrants’ stories explored in book about sisters’ literacy center
While looking for a project so she could cross “write a book” off her bucket list, Anna Marie Kukec Tomczyk thought about her time as an associate with the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Illinois.
Vatican adds QR code to sculpture to educate people about migration
A life-sized bronze sculpture of migrants and refugees crowded onto a boat has stood in St. Peter’s Square for more than two years, but just before Christmas a small QR code was placed on the boat’s stern to give onlookers information about the work.
Bishops’ migration chairman says inaction on immigration ‘cannot stand’
The lack of will by politicians to move forward on immigration reform is affecting the lives of 11 million people in the country and something must be done, said the head of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ migration committee.
Catholic sisters make Advent plea to Biden: End ‘immoral’ immigration rule
They sang Advent hymns in front of the White House Dec. 3, hoping to get the ear of the president so he could consider lifting what they see as a health rule that hurts people trying to find refuge at the southern border.
Pope tells reporters Paris archbishop was hounded out by gossip
Pope Francis told reporters he accepted the resignation of Archbishop Michel Aupetit of Paris because the archbishop’s reputation had been destroyed, making it impossible for him to continue leading the French archdiocese.
Pope assures migrants they are in his prayers and his heart
Pope Francis asked visitors in St. Peter’s Square to join him for a moment of silent prayer for migrants, especially those who recently drowned in the English Channel and in the Mediterranean and those who are freezing on the border of Belarus and Poland.
Jesuit schools join faith-based voices on immigration, environment
With the U.S. Capitol at his back, Darian Benitez Sanchez Nov. 8 told the story of how his father used to take him to high school math competitions on weekends in Arizona, where he attended the Jesuit-run Brophy College Preparatory high school, and how his dad would wait hours for him inside a locked car.
Polish church leaders offer support for refugees, but back border security
Poland’s military archbishop urged security forces to prevent the illegal entry of refugees and migrants, as the country’s bishops’ conference announced a nationwide collection to help those amassing on the frontier with Belarus.
Each person coming to the borders bears God’s image, Archbishop Lori says
Archbishop Lori noted that each person coming to American borders “bears God’s image and is beloved in his sight.”
RADIO INTERVIEW: Migration and the pandemic
Bill O’Keefe, executive vice president for Mission, Mobility and Advocacy for Baltimore-based Catholic Relief Services, speaks about migration, the coronavirus pandemic and how foreign policy can respect the dignity of all people.