WASHINGTON (April 12, 2000) -- Bishop Nicholas A. DiMarzio, Chairman of the Bishops' Migration Committee, today urged all parties striving to resolve the Elian Gonzalez case to work in the best interests of the child while respecting the rule of law.

"We urge that all members of Elian's family, here and in Cuba, work toward a peaceful resolution of this situation, for to do so would be to serve the best interests of this child," said Bishop DiMarzio of Camden in a statement released late today. "And, we urge all interested parties, here and in Cuba, to respect the rule of law and to avoid exacerbating and further politicizing an already tragic situation."

Bishop DiMarzio said that "most of us are not in a position to know, with moral certainty, all the facts necessary to decide this case in a way that respects parental rights and the best interests of this child." He said the Bishops are praying for healing, "both in Elian's family and in the families of all who have suffered division because of social, political, or economic forces beyond their control."

Full text of Bishop DiMarzio's statement.

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