蜜桃交友

By Sr Bernadette Mary Reis, fsp

A team of 6 US Bishops spent two days visiting personnel and structures providing services to migrants entering the US on its border with Mexico. On Monday they paid a visit to Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley's Humanitarian Respite Center. The next day they visited Casa Padre Center, a government-run resettlement center for children. There they met with approximately 250 children, toured the facility and celebrated Mass with them. Later they visited a facility where migrants are processed.

No villains

Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, President of the US Bishops' Conference, opened the press conference emphasizing that the visit was a pastoral one. He characterized the two days as full, beautiful, and painful at times. He acknowledged that they found challenges and can now make recommendations. The Bishops met with cooperation at every site, he said, and all the personnel were helpful. His conclusion:

What we want to emphasize after we鈥檝e had our meetings is that there are no villains鈥�. The children who were separated from their families, their parents, need to be reunited. That鈥檚 already begun鈥�. We鈥檙e pleased with that... But it鈥檚 certainly not finished yet, and there may be complications, but it must be done, and its urgent.

Reunification of children a priority

Archbishop José Gomez, Vice-President of the US Bishop鈥檚 Conference and Archbishop of Los Angeles, said it was difficult for him to see the children on their own. 鈥淚t was a special blessing to be there and help them and give them some hope鈥�. The Archbishop said that, during the homily at Mass, they spoke of God鈥檚 presence and encouraged the children to help each other. After the 2-day visit his primary concern is the same as Cardinal DiNardo鈥檚:  鈥淭he first reflection that I had personally was the urgency of the reunification of the families.... It鈥檚 so important that these children be reunited with their parents鈥�. The Archbishop ended by saying that he is impressed at seeing the efforts of Catholic Charities and the USCCB in the reunification of families.

Humane application of law

Responding to a reporter鈥檚 question regarding reconciling conservative Catholic views with conservative political stances on the issue, Cardinal DiNardo said the Catholic Faith 鈥渋s not just a system of concepts鈥�. It needs to be applied to persons. While on the one hand the country has the right to protect its borders, 鈥渨e need to keep in mind a humane approach to these things鈥�, he said.

What can be done

Petitioning Congress is one of the ways that people can help the situation, Cardinal DiNardo explained. 鈥淲e have to petition Congress. We have to talk to them, and we have to make it really intense 鈥� not nasty 鈥� but really 颈苍迟别苍蝉别鈥�.

Bishop Flores of Brownsville, TX said Bishops on both sides of the border are in communication with each other. Many of those entering the US are doing so because their children鈥檚 lives are in danger in their countries of origin, he said. There are success stories taking place in Latin America in areas where neighborhoods are being rebuilt and revitalized. 鈥淭he wider conversation to address the hemispheric reality is also part of our responsibility, as a Church, and as a nation鈥�, he said.