USCCB - (Office of Media Relations) - Bishops' Agenda Includes Historic Mexican-U.S. Joint Statement On Migration

Bishops' Agenda Includes Historic Mexican-U.S. Joint Statement On Migration

WASHINGTON (October 4, 2002) -- An unprecedented joint pastoral statement on migration by the Mexican and U.S. bishops will come before the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops for a vote at their semi-annual meeting here November 11 to November 14.

Strangers No Longer: Together on the Journey of Hope marks the first time the USCCB has worked jointly with another national episcopal conference to issue a pastoral statement. Members of the USCCB Committee on Migration and the Mexican bishops' Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care for People on the Move produced the document after more than a year of meetings and discussions. The full membership of the Mexican bishops' conference is set to vote on the statement during their annual meeting, November 12-15.

The statement reviews migration in light of Catholic social teaching, including principles such as:

persons have the right to find economic, political, and social opportunities in their homeland;
persons have the right to migrate to support themselves and their families;
sovereign nations have the right to control their borders;
refugees and asylum seekers should be afforded protection by the global community;
the human dignity and human rights of undocumented migrants should be respected.

It also reviews the unique pastoral experiences of those working with migrants on both sides of the border and makes recommendations for improving outreach, support, and catechesis.

For example, it suggests that a more concerted effort is needed in preparing priests, religious, and lay leaders to accompany migrants on their travels and to provide support on arrival. It also suggests a more coordinated exchange of priests between Mexican and U.S. dioceses to aid in the transition for migrants.

The statement enumerates a number of public policy challenges and offers responses drawn from the bishops' experiences. They recommend that policy makers address the following:

the root causes of migration such as the need for Mexico to implement sustainable economic development policies, and the initiation of joint border development projects;
expanding opportunities for legal immigration;
humane border enforcement policies in both Mexico and the United States; and
protection of human rights.

Bishop Wilton Gregory, president of the USCCB has invited the Mexican Bishops' Conference to send a representative to address the General Assembly as part of the opening presentation of the action item. Likewise, the Mexican bishops have invited a representative to address their meeting. Auxiliary Bishop John Manz of Chicago will represent the USCCB Migration Committee on November 12 in Mexico.

The USCCB's November meeting opens Monday, November 11 and continues through Thursday, November 14. Media seeking credentials can find information at www.usccb.org . Media credential applications should be submitted by October 28.