January 30, 2017
“When did we see you a
stranger and welcome you?” (Matthew 25:38)
WASHINGTON— Cardinal
Daniel N. DiNardo of Galveston-Houston, president of the U.S. Conference of
Catholic Bishops (USCCB), and Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, vice president
of the USCCB, have issued the following joint statement regarding the recent
executive order on the new refugee policy announced by President Trump
this past Friday. President Trump’s executive order suspends the entry of
refugees into the United States for 120 days. The order also indefinitely stops
the admission of Syrian refugees and for 90 days, bars individuals from seven
predominantly Muslim countries.
Full joint statement
as follows:
Over the past several days, many brother bishops have
spoken out in defense of God’s people. We are grateful for their witness. Now,
we call upon all the Catholic faithful to join us as we unite our voices with
all who speak in defense of human dignity.
The bond between Christians and Muslims is founded on
the unbreakable strength of charity and justice. The Second Vatican Council in Nostra
Aetate urged us to sincerely work toward a mutual understanding that would
“promote together for the benefit of all mankind social justice and moral
welfare, as well as peace and freedom.” The Church will not waiver in her
defense of our sisters and brothers of all faiths who suffer at the hands of
merciless persecutors.
The refugees fleeing from ISIS and other extremists
are sacrificing all they have in the name of peace and freedom. Often, they
could be spared if only they surrendered to the violent vision of their
tormentors. They stand firm in their faith. Many are families, no different
from yours or mine, seeking safety and security for their children. Our nation
should welcome them as allies in a common fight against evil. We must screen
vigilantly for infiltrators who would do us harm, but we must always be equally
vigilant in our welcome of friends.
The Lord Jesus fled the tyranny of Herod, was falsely
accused and then deserted by his friends. He had nowhere to lay His head (Lk.
9:58). Welcoming the stranger and those in flight is not one option among many
in the Christian life. It is the very form of Christianity itself. Our actions
must remind people of Jesus. The actions of our government must remind people
of basic humanity. Where our brothers and sisters suffer rejection and
abandonment we will lift our voice on their behalf. We will welcome them and
receive them. They are Jesus and the Church will not turn away from Him.
Our desire is not to enter the political arena, but
rather to proclaim Christ alive in the world today. In the very moment a family
abandons their home under threat of death, Jesus is present. And He says to
each of us, “whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did
for me” (MT 25:40).
