Seek the face of Christ in Everyone

A message from Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M.

On February 11, our Holy Father Pope Francis took the unusual step to issue a public, open letter to the Catholic Bishops of the United States regarding what he called a “major crisis that is taking place in the United States with the initiation of a program of mass deportations.” 

Addressing us as “Pastors of the People of God who walk together” in our country, Pope Francis expressed his deeply felt concern to the American Bishops that the current U.S. Administration’s approach to illegal immigration constitutes a serious affront to the “infinite dignity” of all people, especially immigrants, and “places them in a state of particular vulnerability and defenselessness.”

The Holy Father’s support of immigrants and refugees is not something that has only arisen in the face of recent executive orders.  It has been one of the hallmarks of his entire pontificate.  His first travels as Pope were to Lampedusa, an island off the coast of Italy, to draw attention to the suffering of migrants on the Mediterranean coast.  Throughout the years since that 2013 trip, the plight of migrants and refugees has been a prominent and consistent subject of his many homilies, addresses and writings.   His February 11, 2025 “Letter to the Bishops of the United States of America” is only the latest expression of his concern.

While acknowledging that “the right of a nation to defend itself and keep communities safe from those who have committed violent or serious crimes while in the country or prior to their arrival,” Pope Francis observed that, at the same time, “the rightly formed conscience cannot fail to make a critical judgment and express its disagreement with any measure that tacitly or explicitly identifies the illegal status of some migrants with criminality.”  

The Holy Father continued, “The act of deporting people who in many cases have left their own land for reasons of extreme poverty, insecurity, exploitation, persecution or serious deterioration of the environment, damages the dignity of many men and women and of entire families” facing such situations.  He cautioned, “What is built on the basis of force and not on the truth about the equal dignity of every human being, begins badly and will end badly.” 
 
Pope Francis also used his letter to urge “all the faithful of the Catholic Church, and all men and women of good will … with charity and clarity, … to live in solidarity and fraternity, to build bridges that bring us ever closer, to avoid the walls of ignominy and to learn to give our lives as Jesus Christ gave his for the salvation of all.” 

READ THE FULL TEXT OF THE HOLY FATHER’S LETTER HERE.
 
The USCCB President responds
The President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, Archbishop of Military Services, promptly responded to Pope Francis’ letter on behalf of the U.S. Bishops, asking that he continue to pray ‘that we may find the courage as a nation to build a more humane system of immigration, one that protects our communities while safeguarding the dignity of all.”

He continued, “as successor to Saint Peter, you call not only every Catholic, but every Christian to what unites us in faith — offering the hope of Jesus Christ to every person, citizen and immigrant alike … We all turn to the Lord in prayer that families suffering from the sudden withdrawal of aid may find the strength to endure … With you, we pray that the U.S. government keeps its prior commitments to help those in desperate need. …As we struggle to continue our care for the needy in our midst and the desire to improve the situation in those places from which immigrants come to our shores, we are ever mindful that in them we see the “Face of Christ.”

Archbishop Broglio expressed the hope that “In this Jubilee Year, may we build bridges of reconciliation, inclusion, and fraternity.”

READ THE FULL TEXT OF ARCHBISHOP BROGLIO’S RESPONSE HERE.
 
From the New Jersey Catholic Bishops
Prior to these letters, the Bishops of the New Jersey Catholic Conference (NJCC) shared the following “Letter of Pastoral Interest on Immigration” from the USCCB:
 
December 12, 2024
Today, as we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas, the New Jersey Catholic Conference wishes to share the following Letter of Pastoral Interest, published by Bishop Timothy P. Broglio of the Archdiocese for the United States Military Services, and the President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), Bishop Mark J. Seitz of the Diocese of El Paso and Chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Migration, and Bishop Jaime Soto of the Diocese of Sacramento, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc.

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Compelled by the Gospel of Jesus Christ and recognizing the inherent dignity of each person as a child of God, we stand in firm solidarity with our immigrant brothers and sisters who live and labor in these United States. 

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.

We hope that our country can develop an effective asylum system for those fleeing persecution and an immigration system that keeps our borders safe and secure, with enforcement policies that focus on those who present risks and dangers to society, particularly efforts to reduce gang activity, stem the flow of drugs, and end human trafficking. 
 
The United States should have an immigration system that protects vulnerable migrants and their families, many of whom have already been victimized by criminal actors. 
Together, we must speak out on behalf of the “huddled masses yearning to breathe free” and ask our government to provide fair and humane treatment for our beloved immigrant brothers and sisters. It is our hope, and our prayer, that all of us can work together to support a meaningful reform of our current immigration system.

For the faithful in the Diocese of Trenton
I offer these communications, not as a journalist, political commentator or advocate for people to enter the United States illegally but, rather as a pastor and teacher concerned about the human dignity and welfare of all people whether citizens, migrants or refugees, and with regard for the common good. We also need to be mindful that not everything that is illegal is criminal. 

As Bishop, I encourage the clergy, religious and faithful of the Diocese of Trenton to read these messages and to reflect upon them and our obligation to treat all our brothers and sisters with dignity, compassion and love. Christ’s commands and personal example are clear.

Immigration is a complex and highly charged issue and reality in our country that admits of strong and often opposing points of view, even among some Catholics.  It is my hope that all of us will stay both informed and concerned about recent developments and their real impact upon men, women, children and families affected by them. We should do no less.
Finally, I ask that all the faithful of the Diocese join me in praying that God will protect and bless this nation and all of the people who call it home. 

Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas, pray for us!