Tag Archives: Refugees

Bishop Parkes: Statement on Immigration Crisis

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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

The Catholic Church recognizes the right of sovereign nations to control its borders and our Church also teaches that the basic human rights of each person should never be violated. That is why the images we have seen and the stories we have heard recently about immigrants arriving in our country, shock and sadden us to our core. There must be a better and more humane way to care for the migrants who are seeking refuge in our nation. Continue reading Bishop Parkes: Statement on Immigration Crisis →

Franciscan Statement on the Recent Executive Orders

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Syrian-Refugees-US-borderIn flurry of activity, President Trump issued an executive order entitled “Protecting the Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into the United States” (you can read the full text here). The key points of the Executive Order are:

  • 90-day ban on entry into the US from Iraq, Iran, Syria, Libya, Yemen, Somalia and Sudan
  • 120-day suspension of the refugee resettlement program
  • Indefinite suspension of the arrival of Syrian refugees
  • 64% decrease for refugees admitted into the US in 2017
  • Prioritization of refugees who are religious minorities suffering religious persecution
  • Mandated review of stricter vetting procedures for refugees and immigrants.

The Franciscan OFM friars of the United States have issued a joint Franciscan Statement on the Immigration Ban:

“I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Matthew 25.35).

Continue reading Franciscan Statement on the Recent Executive Orders →