Unity is the path that leads to liberty and justice for all

The Archdiocese of Seattle has a long tradition of welcoming and serving the different cultural-ethnic groups migrating here from other nations.  Our hospitality is an essential expression of the church’s mission as we seek to bring the good news of Christ to every human situation.

Today the Hispanic community is the fastest growing and largest Catholic ethnic-cultural group in western Washington.  The people, priests and parishes of the local church are carrying on our heritage of hospitality out of Christian love for the Hispanic community even though our efforts to welcome and integrate these new arrivals pose challenges because of differences in language and culture.

The presence of Hispanic immigrants in search of work and a better way of life also poses challenges for each of us as disciples of Christ.  It is becoming increasingly clear that these challenges threaten our unity as a community of disciples.

I recently offered a statement of support for human rights and comprehensive reform of our nation’s immigration laws at a May 1 immigration rally.  I spoke out on this occasion keenly aware that the issue of immigration is dividing the nation, and that anti-immigrant sentiment among Catholics threatens to divide the church as well.

Justice through reform
Just as in the past, the church must always be in solidarity with our immigrant communities even when it is unpopular.  From the flight of the Hebrews from slavery in Egypt to Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem and Golgotha leading up to his resurrection and ascension, we are a pilgrim people.

Each successive generation of immigrants to America has contributed to the unique American identity, and with our Native American brothers and sisters we are one people, one nation under God, and we are one church.  Unity within the body of Christ is our vocation and our hope, and at this moment in history it presents us with a moral dilemma, a moral crisis. 

The church supports the rule of law.  The law protects public safety, personal freedom including religious liberty and basic human rights.  And yet our current system of immigration laws is broken, and it is giving rise to injustices that tear families apart and deny basic human rights to newly arriving immigrants.

Given this reality the church has a moral duty to raise its voice for change.  That is why the bishops of the United States are working to achieve justice for immigrants through reform of our current immigration laws; reform that will include: A viable path to permanent residency for the undocumented,  wage and safety protections, reunification of families, due process protections and economic development in the homelands of immigrants.

While these public policy changes are urgently needed to restore basic human rights for immigrants, there also are immediate concerns that affect our unity as a local church.  In my encouragement to our immigrant people, I have assured them that they are welcome in our Catholic parishes, our Catholic schools, our Catholic hospitals and our Catholic social services. 

And I have made it clear that our hospitality is extended with no strings attached.  Our parishes and Catholic services are offered to immigrants without asking for documentation. 

The bonds of community
As we address the need for immigration reform, my hope is that the church may remain united; united in love, united in hope and united in Christ.  Our unity is the path that will lead us to just and humane reforms that respect the dignity of all persons.   Divisions – especially those bred from fear, anger and racism – are barriers to a just resolution of the current immigration stalemate.

Our goals as a church reach beyond public policy.  We are striving for full integration of Hispanic Catholics into the life and mission of the local church.   That will require conversion in order to move us toward unity in diversity.

As I said in the archdiocesan Hispanic Ministry Plan: “Such unity comes from the Holy Spirit, whose breath of life renews our local Church.  I pray that everything we do will nurture and strengthen the bonds of our entire community (and)... promote stronger human relationships and a truly Christian experience of community within the Hispanic people and across all cultures.”

As we conclude our celebration of Easter and await the Ascension, I ask all Catholics to pray for the children, the wives and mothers, the husbands and fathers being torn apart because of unbearable poverty in their homeland and outdated immigration policies in this nation.

Today’s immigrants, just like those of past eras, are our brothers and sisters.  We must extend our long-standing tradition of hospitality to them in order to remain one church, one family and one nation under God.