Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
November 8 , 2000
Immigrants, church on bishops' agenda
WASHINGTON (CNS) - With separate statements intended for civic and pastoral use, the U.S. bishops will consider reiterating their support for immigrants in society and the church.
At their Nov. 13-16 meeting in Washington, the bishops will be asked to approve a resolution calling for immigration reform by the U.S. government and a separate pastoral statement encouraging Catholics to open their hearts and parishes to immigrants.
In the draft resolution on immigration reform, the bishops' Migration Committee outlined principles for reforming U.S. immigration laws and policies.
The draft said the bishops "wish to call upon our federal policy-makers to re-examine our immigration laws and enact reforms which uphold the basic dignity and human rights of immigrants among us and preserve the unity of the immigrant family."
Noting that the country was built by immigrants and that the church has historically had strong interest in immigrants, the draft listed elements the bishops would ask federal policy-makers to incorporate in a reform of laws and policies.
