Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
September 18–24 is National Migration Week here in the United States of America. This is a time for all of us to grow in our understanding of the challenges facing individuals and families in many different regions of the world who are forced to leave their homeland because of natural disasters or economic, political and cultural factors beyond their control. This Week should also remind us of the responsibilities we have because of what we hear from the Word of God and the consistent Tradition of our Church.
For the past ten years, Pope Francis has urged us to pay closer attention to the circumstances surrounding the migration of peoples. He has challenged us to actually see the faces of these brothers and sisters of ours rather than regard them as simply statistics or, worse, problems imposed on us by forces outside our control. “Migrants flee because of poverty, fear or desperation,” the Holy Father says. “Eliminating these causes and thus putting an end to forced migration calls for shared commitment on the part of all, in accordance with the responsibilities of each. This commitment begins with asking what we can do, but also what we need to stop doing.”
Click here to continue reading Cardinal Tobin’s letter to the faithful.
(Also available in Spanish)