Arrests, deportations spur more Catholic leaders to defend immigrants, refugees

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More Catholic leaders are speaking out to defend the role of immigrants in the Catholic Church and American culture as the Trump administration continues a policy of masked ICE agents detaining and deporting immigrants, regardless of legal status or due process concerns.

The Religion News Service recently published a story on a report prepared by four Christian groups, including the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, estimating that 1 out of 12 U.S. Christians may be subject to deportation or related to someone who is at risk. 

The study, “One Part of the Body: The Potential Impact of Deportations on American Christian Families,” reports that 18 percent of U.S. Catholics are subject to deportation or live with someone who is vulnerable. More than 10 million Christian immigrants in the U.S. live with that fear.

The same story includes a comment by Anthea Butler, a professor of religious studies at the University of Pennsylvania. She suggests that the study’s data is “a massive wake up call” for Catholic leaders. 

“This is a disaster,” Butler said, describing tensions within the Catholic Church. “On one hand, you have a big, giant denomination who is going to be profoundly affected by people being renditioned — and I’m going to use the word renditioned — out of this country who are faithful and loyal Catholics,” Butler said. “But on the other hand, you have Catholic suburbanites and others who voted for Trump who are, like, ‘Okay, this is cool.'”

On July 27, the National Catholic Reporter described several examples of congregations, including some Catholic parishes, that are struggling to support – spiritually, emotionally and economically – members caught up in the deportation net. Among them is St. Thomas the Apostle, one of Los Angeles’ largest parishes. 

The pastor, the Rev. Mario Torres, regularly preaches to about 10,000 families every week. Recognizing that this is a fearful time, he warns parishioners to not give into fear. He says he is not worried about the financial challenges facing the parish. 

In a related story, the same newspaper reported efforts by Los Angeles Archbishop José Gomez and business leaders to raise funds to help people dealing with deportation issues.

"Never in my life did I think that I would see the day where Catholics are afraid to go to church, afraid to send their children to school," a reporter quoted Michael Molina, chairman of the Catholic Association of Latino Leaders, or CALL, a local organization of business leaders who have pledge $10,000 to the fund.

Finally, Pope Leo XIV issued a statement on July 25, for the 111th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, which will be celebrated on Oct. 4-5. Leo described migrants and refugees – and the communities that welcome them  – as “a living witness to hope.” 

“The virtue of hope responds to the aspiration to happiness which God has placed in the heart of every man and woman,” he said. This hope is “certainly one of the main motivations” for migrants, refugees and displaced persons, making them “messengers” and “privileged witnesses of hope.”

As communities welcome them, he said, “migrants and refugees are recognized as brothers and sisters, part of a family in which they can express their talents and participate fully in community life.”