Immigration and Migration

Bishop Mark J. Seitz of El Paso, Texas, recently spoke with OSV News following his return from the 10th Meeting of Bishops and Migration Pastoral Agents of North America, Central America and the Caribbean, which took place Aug. 19-23 in Panama.

Cardinal Álvaro Ramazzini of Huehuetenango, Guatemala, has warned that drug cartels control the border between Mexico and Guatemala, provoking spasms of violence that have sent hundreds of Mexicans fleeing into his diocese.

Pope Francis’ point man on immigration has urged Catholics to “welcome and protect” migrants, who ply increasingly perilous paths as they flee hardship and danger — only to meet indifference and hostility at the destinations.

For men and women religious from across Latin America, the new U.S.-Panama deportation agreement is one more measure by governments to punish the poor for emigrating, while failing to offer solutions to the problems that force them to leave and failing to approve measures to help them cross borders safely.

Prominent Catholics have joined church leaders in condemning a wave of riots across the United Kingdom, while also urging greater understanding of current social grievances.