DECLARACIÓN DE LOS OBISPOS CATÓLICOS EN LA REUNIÓN REGIONAL SOBRE MIGRACIÓN

DECLARACIÓN DE LOS OBISPOS CATÓLICOS Y PARTICIPANTES EN LA REUNIÓN REGIONAL SOBRE MIGRACIÓN

(CENTROAMÉRICA, NORTEAMÉRICA Y CARIBE)

(San José, Costa Rica) — Nosotros, Obispos católicos responsables de las comisiones de movilidad humana reunidos en San José, Costa Rica, del 1 al 3 de junio de 2011, unidos a religiosos, religiosas, laicos, laicas, participantes de CELAM y de Cáritas Internacional, comprometidos con la realidad migratoria, expresamos nuestra solidaridad con nuestros hermanos y hermanas que migran en busca de una mejor vida en esta región.

Testigos del gran sufrimiento que viven las personas migrantes de nuestros países y regiones, quienes son víctimas de explotación y abuso por parte de varios actores (funcionarios públicos, empleadores sin escrúpulos y organizaciones criminales), nuevamente exigimos a nuestros gobiernos hacerse responsables de la protección legal a los y las migrantes, incluyendo a quienes buscan trabajo, solicitan asilo, refugio y han sido víctimas de Trata de Personas. Pedimos especial atención y protección para familias, mujeres y niños.

USCIRF Condemns Terrorist Attack on Baghdad Church

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) Nov. 3, 2010 – The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today condemned Sunday’s terrorist attack on Baghdad’s Our Lady of Salvation Catholic church and expressed its sincere condolences to the victims and their families.  Reports indicate that at least 40 worshippers, two priests, and 10 members of the Iraqi security forces were killed, and more than 60 people were wounded.

“This horrific attack is a sobering reminder of what all should already know–that Iraqi Christians clearly continue to face a grave terrorist threat,” said USCIRF chair Leonard Leo.  “We recognize the promptness with which the Iraqi government responded to the hostage situation at the church, and it is most unfortunate that all of the hostages could not be safely rescued and that security forces were killed.  In the wake of this brazen and senseless attack, we urge the Iraqi government to proactively heighten security at Christian and other minority religious sites and the United States government to increase its support of such efforts.”

Bishops show solidarity with Iraqi Christians, say U.S. has moral obligation to help

WASHINGTON (November 2, 2010) — Cardinal Francis George of Chicago, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), offered the prayers of the U.S. bishops and expressed solidarity with the suffering Christians of Iraq following the October 31 attack on the Syrian Catholic cathedral in Baghdad that killed 58 people and wounded 75.

“We stand with the bishops, Church and people of Iraq in their urgent search for greater security, freedom and protection,” said Cardinal George in a November 1 statement. “We call upon the United States to take additional steps to help Iraq protect its citizens, especially the most vulnerable.”

CLINIC names new executive director

The Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC) has appointed Maria M. Odom, a renowned immigration attorney, as executive director.

Recognized in the immigration field for her legal experience and abiding commitment to immigrants, Odom brings to CLINIC a vast knowledge of the world of immigration law, including successful litigation in the areas of removal defense, detention, and asylum. For the past year she has been the principal attorney and owner of Odom Immigration Law Group, LLC in Atlanta, Georgia.

“I am delighted to have hired an executive director of the caliber of Maria Odom. Maria comes to CLINIC with a strong background in providing legal services to the indigent and proven leadership in executive, financial, human resources, and public relations management. She brings a heart for the Catholic Church’s social mission to migrants and their families,” said Most Reverend Jaime Soto, Bishop of Sacramento and chair of CLINIC’s board of directors.

President's immigration meeting a 'good first step' says bishop

The Chairman of the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC) Board of Directors, Bishop Jaime Soto of Sacramento, has made the following comments about President Obama’s meeting yesterday at the White House with Congressional leaders on the issue of immigration reform:

“The June 25 meeting between the president and congressional leaders is an applaudable first step towards fixing our broken immigration system. We are at a critical moment that demands the attention of the administration and Congress. Thousands of families are suffering and our economy is handicapped by the failures of outdated immigration laws and misguided enforcement policies.

This meeting is a good first step and sets the tone for the very important and necessary policy discussions to follow. We now urge the president and Congress not to slow down. Immigration reform is urgent and necessary. To delay immigration reform would be a mistake. It would unfairly prolong the suffering of so many, further undermine our economy and risk security of the nation.”

JRS: a vocation to transform the world

Fr. Elías Lopez-Perez, S.J., Assistant International Director of Jesuit Refugee Service, describes the people who work for JRS as a passionate, committed group who “want to change things in the world” and heal wounds of violence.

In short, he says, people who work for JRS still believe in miracles. Fr. Lopez-Perez also discusses the central role of accompaniment in the JRS mission. He notes that the Gospels encourage us to welcome the stranger, and this is the good news to counter the racism and xenophobia at work in the world.