WASHINGTON (CNS)—Several U.S. Catholic bishops slammed the actions of Republican politicians who’ve recently begun to send out of their states groups of ladies, children and men looking for refuge.
They said these politicians are falsely telling the migrants that work, food and other advantages await them in the event that they get on planes to other locales, but as a substitute the one thing they find on the opposite end of the trip is confusion.
“To make use of migrants and refugees as pawns offends God, destroys society and shows how low individuals can (stoop) for private gains,” wrote San Antonio Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller on Twitter Sept. 18.
“To make use of migrants and refugees as pawns offends God, destroys society and shows how low individuals can (stoop) for private gains,” wrote San Antonio Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller.
He was one in all several bishops to talk out after the most recent drop-off of migrants—two groups of mostly Venezuelans who were flown Sept. 14 to Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Greater than 6 million people have fled Venezuela due to political turmoil that has sent the country into an economic spiral, causing what the U.N. refugee agency calls the “second-largest external displacement crisis on the earth.”
Though many have fled to nearby countries, others, with family within the U.S., have opted to make the long trip north.
The Texas archbishop said the tactics to ship them off elsewhere “promote human trafficking,” and he called out the “sick actions” of political leaders who do “little in regards to the issue.”
A few of the migrants have been sent from border states reminiscent of Texas and Arizona to Washington and Latest York in planes and sometimes buses. Some were recently dropped off near Vice President Kamala Harris’ residence in Washington without prior notice to local officials.
Volunteers in those cities, including faith-based nonprofits reminiscent of Catholic Charities, have scrambled to assist the newcomers confused by the situation.
“The issue will not be the refugees, it’s leaders that can’t accept: We’re one with humanity,” Archbishop García-Siller said, adding that he could be praying for “conversion of heart” and for the protection of brothers and sisters in need.
Earlier this summer, the Catholic Legal Immigration Network called for the protection of Venezuelans within the U.S. given the country’s turmoil, where hyperinflation has caused supply shortages of food and medicine, amongst other basics.
Republican politicians reminiscent of DeSantis, a Catholic, have followed the lead of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, also a Catholic and a Republican, who first began busing and flying groups of migrants in the summertime.
Republican politicians reminiscent of DeSantis, a Catholic, have followed the lead of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, also a Catholic and a Republican, who first began busing and flying groups of migrants in the summertime.
Abbott said the move was to protest the Biden administration’s stance to permit in refugees and other migrants and provides politicians who support allowing migrants into the country a taste of what border states reminiscent of Texas cope with on a day by day basis when large groups of individuals pour in.
Nonetheless, the group DeSantis sent to Martha’s Vineyard is believed to have originated in San Antonio, not Florida.
San Antonio’s Archbishop Garcia-Siller, said on Twitter that “Texas will not be overwhelmed by refugees.”
One other Texas prelate, Brownsville Bishop Daniel E. Flores, said Sept. 16 on Twitter that “the degrading disrespect with which immigrants are treated on this country—like pawns in games of political showmanship—is a disgrace.”
“Are we so drunk on our own power that we’re blind to basic human dignity? Judgment on Christians who disrespect the poor will likely be most severe,” he said.
Though taken by surprise, the community at Martha’s Vineyard pulled together to assist with the sudden arrival of the migrants Sept. 14.
“Are we so drunk on our own power that we’re blind to basic human dignity? Judgment on Christians who disrespect the poor will likely be most severe,” said Brownsville Bishop Daniel E. Flores.
In a Sept. 16 statement, Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha of Fall River, Massachusetts, said the community responded in the way the Gospel tells Christians to look after the stranger, citing St. Matthew’s Gospel: “For I used to be hungry, and also you gave me food, I used to be thirsty, and also you gave me drink, a stranger and also you welcomed me.”
“This mandate was clearly evident within the inspiring response of the Martha’s Vineyard community as an entire to the plight of some 50 migrants mostly from Venezuela who were literally left stranded on their island on Wednesday,” he wrote.
“Shelter, food, and basic needs assistance were quickly provided in accord with the dignity due all migrants, who’re—initially—our sisters and brothers within the human family no matter birthplace or legal status,” he added.
Various faith groups and others stepped in to assist, including highschool students studying Spanish who facilitated communication with the migrants.
“Here within the Diocese of Fall River, which encompasses Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard, we must do all we are able to to make sure a humanitarian response to this crisis,” Bishop da Cunha.
“Now that the state has relocated the migrants from the island to a military base on the Cape mainland, bilingual staff from Catholic Charities-Diocese of Fall River (Catholic Social Services) is there to welcome them of their native language and to help officials in assessing their needs, immediate and long run,” he said.
The Catholic agency “agency has committed its resources to handle these needs working alongside the state and other relief agencies,” he explained, adding that “pastoral outreach including Mass and the sacraments will likely be made available from our parishes within the region, and parishes may be called upon for other support depending on needs that turn into evident.”
He added that he knows one in all our churches on Martha’s Vineyard “is prepared with additional shelter space should the necessity arise.”
In Florida, Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski of Miami said that “reports of Florida involvement in transporting migrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard are disconcerting.”
In Florida, Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski of Miami said that “reports of Florida involvement in transporting migrants from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard are disconcerting.”
He said immigration will not be only a political issue but a fundamental human and moral issue, adding that migrants are “not faceless numbers—but human individuals” and are brothers and sisters.
“Any motion to move individuals under false pretenses and leave them stranded with no assistance could be to diminish their human dignity and objectify them,” he said.
Archbishop Wenski said the “broken immigration system is an issue; but immigrants themselves aren’t ‘problems.’”
Boston Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley said in a Sept. 16 statement the situation requires a longer-term response because “not only Venezuelans, but Haitians and other Latin Americans are caught up within the crushing emergency of the U.S. southern border.”
But a partnership between nonprofit agencies with civil authorities can assist those that need it, he said.
“In a globalized world, immigration challenges will proceed. In our country, a broken immigration system requires immediate reform,” Cardinal O’Malley said.
“In a globalized world, immigration challenges will proceed. In our country, a broken immigration system requires immediate reform,” Cardinal Seán O’Malley said.
“From the Dreamers who still seek legal stability of their lives, to those fleeing war in Ukraine, poverty in Latin America and Africa, or crises within the Middle East, the decision of our common humanity will likely be with us for years to come back,” he said. “I pray we will likely be equal to the challenge.”
Bishop da Cunha said what was most significant was to remember the Christian response toward the vulnerable.
“These newcomers to our area have endured a difficult journey and the challenges they face are many,” he said. “Our welcome to them have to be marked by respect and compassion and be coupled with our prayers for them within the weeks and months ahead.”
