Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Washington (Agenzia Fides) - Activity bustles in the American Church in preparation for the "National Migration Week," which will take place in dioceses across the country from 8 to 14 January. Meanwhile, more than 5 000 children have written to President Obama asking to stop "the deportation of migrants." This year's theme for the Week of Migrants is "Welcoming Christ in the migrant". "As, on the road to Emmaus, Christ’s disciples met him in the guise of a stranger, this year's theme recalls that Christ is present in the solitary traveler, the newcomer, and migrant," he explained in a note sent to Fides by the Archbishop of Los Angeles, Mgr. Jose Gomez, President of the Commission for Migration of the Conference of Bishops of the United States (USCCB).
The note reads: "We are called to open our hearts and provide hospitality to those in need, especially for immigrants who are away from home and in vulnerable situations." Dioceses across the country are organizing various activities. Nationally, the Catholic Bishops' Conference and Legal Immigration Network Inc. (CLINIC) sponsor a Conference on "Immigration: an issue of the 50 states," to be held in Salt Lake City, Utah, from January 11 to 13.
The National Migration Week was launched 25 years ago by the Catholic Bishops of the United States to provide the opportunity for an exchange of experiences between those who are socially engaged in contact with immigrants. Just because the face of the local Church is changing, pastoral subsidies produced for the National Migration Week have become increasingly important. They are used throughout the year by individuals, families, schools and parishes to learn about the complex issues of migration. (CE) (Agenzia Fides 12/12/2011)
