By Catholic Review Staff
On the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Dec. 12, Archbishop William E. Lori issued a letter expressing solidarity with immigrants who fear their families could be broken up because some members may be undocumented.
The full letter follows. Click here for this same letter in Spanish.
On the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Dec. 12, Archbishop William E. Lori issued a letter expressing solidarity with immigrants who fear their families could be broken up because some members may be undocumented.
The full letter follows. Click here for this same letter in Spanish.
December 12, 2016
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Dear Friends in Christ,
On this day, which invokes reverence from all Catholics, most especially our Spanish-speaking sisters and brothers, I wish to convey my solidarity and oneness with our local Latino community here in the Archdiocese of Baltimore.
In our Nation today, there is great uncertainty and unease among many immigrant families who are worried about their future and about their loved ones. This is especially the case for those who are undocumented and who have children who were born in this country. They fear separation from them and worry about the stability of their family. We share their concerns and wish to remind them that the Church is here to support them, to pray with and for them, to advocate on their behalf, and to help enrich the lives of all families. Through our Catholic schools, the outreach of our parishes, and the ministries of Catholic Charities – most especially the Esperanza Center, we are here to welcome and support those who now call The Archdiocese of Baltimore their home.
Likewise, I invite all Catholics in the Archdiocese of Baltimore to join me in praying for our sisters and brothers, just as the Universal Church seeks to accompany migrants and refugees seeking an opportunity to provide for their families. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Office of Migrant and Refugee Services (MRS) has developed a Scriptural Rosary entitled, “Unity in Diversity,” that includes prayers for migrants and refugees and can be found at https://www.justiceforimmigrants.org/documents/scriptural-rosary-eng.pdf.
I pray for a blessed Advent and a joyous Christmas season for all God’s people in the Archdiocese of Baltimore and pray the year ahead will be one of hope, opportunity, and peace.
Faithfully in Christ,
Most Reverend William E. Lori
Archbishop of Baltimore