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February 5, 2025Pope Benedict XVI once famously reminded us that Jesus’ parents, Joseph and Mary, fled their own country in order to save the life of their child.
“The Messiah, the son of God, was a refugee,” Pope Benedict said.
As Christians, we must reflect on this again as the conversation concerning “mass deportation” takes hold, creating fear and even distress for our immigrant, migrant and refugee neighbors who have arrived in search of the same dreams that awaited many of our ancestors at a different moment in time.
Recently, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, in solidarity of immigrants, helped craft a statement of pastoral concern that provides thoughtful direction.
“From the founding of our nation, immigrants have been essential to this society’s growth and prosperity. They come to our shores as strangers, drawn by the promises this land offers, and they become Americans. They continue to provide food security, health services, and many other essential skills that support our prosperous nation.
“Our country deserves an immigration system that offers fair and generous pathways to full citizenship for immigrants living and working for many years within our borders.
“We need a system that provides permanent relief for childhood arrivals, helps families stay together, and welcomes refugees.”
To be clear, the bishops of the U.S. and Mexico acknowledge the flaws of the current immigration system and the need for reform. Here in Oklahoma, we must promote and enact humane policies that value and protect all, citizens and those arriving in search of a better life.”
Illegal immigration is wrong, and renewed efforts should be considered to protect our nation’s borders, most especially against the scourge of human and drug trafficking. One of the basic principles of Catholic teaching on immigration is precisely that “every country has a right to protect its borders.”
We must also reflect that the majority of undocumented immigrants in Oklahoma are upstanding members of our communities and churches, not violent criminals.
They assist their communities in many ways and provide needed services. They are our friends and neighbors. They happen to be some of the most vulnerable in our midst.
As our nation struggles to address serious and complicated issues surrounding immigration, the Church must be a leader in embracing diverse newcomers and providing assistance and pastoral care to immigrants, migrants, refugees and people on the move.
Just this week, Pope Francis wrote in a congratulatory note to President Trump: “Inspired by your nation’s ideals of being a land of opportunity and welcome for all, it is my hope that under your leadership the American people will prosper and always strive to build a more just society, where there is no room for hatred, discrimination or exclusion.”
Jesus Christ continues to call us to the second great commandment, the importance of loving our neighbor as thyself. Such love is of serious consequence, for these neighbors and for ourselves.