In a powerfully compelling message issued from the heart of the Christian Gospel and foundational Catholic social teaching, Washington’s Cardinal Robert McElroy provided the guidance U.S. Catholics have been searching for as they witness what he termed a government assault on the immigrant community.
It was delivered at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle in the nation’s capital during a Mass celebrating the 111th World Day of Migrants and Refugees.
The observance normally passes without much fanfare. But this year is different, said McElroy. “For this year we are confronting — both as a nation and as a church — an unprecedented assault upon millions of immigrant men and women and families in our midst.”
He noted that Catholic social teaching permits nations to secure borders and protect their citizens by deporting violent criminals. But he is also clear that what we are seeing is something far more sinister and violative of that same teaching. Governments have no warrant to use indiscriminate force and violence with little justification against vulnerable populations.
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With thanks to the National Catholic Reporter (NCR) where this article originally appeared.
