Catholicism and Immigration
Image: ChatGPT
I’ve always found it hard to watch the news. It seems to be almost entirely bad news—and the more dramatic the story, the more people tune in. That, of course, means more advertising revenue, so the networks keep giving us more drama. Much of it is political, and politics today feels more divided than ever. The language has become louder and more extreme, which only adds to the confusion and deepens the divide.
One issue that’s been in the spotlight lately is immigration. It’s difficult to listen to all the political fighting, finger-pointing, and exaggeration that often surround it. As Catholics, though, we have a rich tradition of social teaching that reflects the Gospel and can help us see these issues with wisdom and compassion.
Most of us can agree that our immigration system has been broken for decades. I don’t claim to have the answers for how to fix it, but I do want to share three guiding principles from Catholic Social Teaching that can shape our thoughts, conversations, and prayers. You can find them on the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops website: https://www.usccb.org/committees/migration/immigration
First Principle: People have the right to migrate to sustain their lives and the lives of their families.
Second Principle: A country has the right to regulate its borders and to control immigration.
Third Principle: A country must regulate its borders with justice and mercy.
Read the details here: https://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/immigration/catholic-teaching-on-immigration-and-the-movement-of-peoples
In times of controversy and confusion, the Church helps us find direction. The practical application of these principles is a matter of prudential judgment, so people will naturally differ on how best to live them out. But as we reflect, we can discern when a policy—or our own attitudes—fails to uphold any one of these truths.
For more information and response by our Archbishop, reading Archbishop Sample’s statement on immigraiton: https://archdpdx.org/statement-on-executive-orders
Finally, as we discuss immigration with others and engage in the political process, let’s keep these three principles close to our hearts, minds, and words. God bless you!
Fr. William Holtzinger
Image Credit: ChatGPT
