WASHINGTON- The United States has a moral obligation to protect unaccompanied children and families from persecution in Central America, said Bishop Mark J. Seitz of El Paso, Texas, in testimony before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, October 21. Bishop Seitz is an advisor to the USCCB Committee on Migration and a member of the board of the Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC).
The humanitarian outflow, driven by organized crime in the northern triangle countries of Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, continues, with nearly 40,000 unaccompanied children and an equal number of mothers with children having arrived in the United States in Fiscal Year 2015.
"If we do not respond justly and humanely to this challenge in our own backyard, then we will relinquish our moral leadership and moral influence globally," Bishop Seitz said.
Bishop Seitz pointed to the human consequences of U.S. policies which are designed to deter migration from the region, including U.S. support for Mexican interdiction efforts which are intercepting children and families in Mexico and sending them back to danger, in violation of international law.
Bishop Seitz recommended an end to these interdictions and the introduction of a regional system which would screen children and families for asylum in Mexico and other parts of the region. He also called for Congress to approve and increase a $1 billion aid package proposed by the Administration.
"If we export enforcement," Bishop Seitz said, "we also must export protection."
Bishop Seitz recalled the words of Pope Francis before Congress in September, when he invoked the golden rule in guiding our nation's actions toward those seeking safety in our land.
Quoting the Holy Father, Bishop Seitz repeated to the committee, "'The yardstick we use for others will be the yardstick which time will use for us.'"
"Mr. Chairman, I pray that time, and history, will conclude that we honored this rule in meeting this humanitarian challenge," Bishop Seitz concluded.
Bishop Seitz' testimony can be found at http://www.usccb.org//about/migration-policy/congressional-testimony/upload/seitz-ongoing-migration.pdf
Keywords: Bishop Mark J. Seitz, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, USCCB, Congress, Senate, Committee on Migration, migration, unaccompanied children, violence, Pope Francis
# # #
MEDIA CONTACT:
Norma Montenegro Flynn
O: 202-541-3200
Catholic News 2
WASHINGTON- The United States has a moral obligation to protect unaccompanied children and families from persecution in Central America, said Bishop Mark J. Seitz of El Paso, Texas, in testimony before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, October 21. Bishop Seitz is an advisor to the USCCB Committee on Migration and a member of the board of the Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC).The humanitarian outflow, driven by organized crime in the northern triangle countries of Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, continues, with nearly 40,000 unaccompanied children and an equal number of mothers with children having arrived in the United States in Fiscal Year 2015."If we do not respond justly and humanely to this challenge in our own backyard, then we will relinquish our moral leadership and moral influence globally," Bishop Seitz said.Bishop Seitz pointed to the human consequences of U.S. policies which are designed to deter migration from the region, i...
WASHINGTON-In this blessed Advent season, we sing hopeful carols anticipating the miracle of Christmas. We have reason to announce the need for peace and goodwill throughout the world with even stronger voices this year, in light of the recent mass shooting in San Bernardino. Violence and hate in the world around us must be met with resolve and courage.We pray that family and friends facing the pain of loss and the journey of recovery find strength in the compassion of their community. We draw especially close to the local Church, which has borne the burden of mourning the loss of those who died and of comforting their families, yet has the strength to reach out in love.We are also reminded of those recovering from the shooting in Colorado Springs. Here, too, the Christmas story inspires us to give of ourselves, as Jesus gave up his body, so we may bring comfort and joy to those in need. We must not respond in fear. We are called to be heralds of hope and prophetic voices against ...
WASHINGTON-In this blessed Advent season, we sing hopeful carols anticipating the miracle of Christmas. We have reason to announce the need for peace and goodwill throughout the world with even stronger voices this year, in light of the recent mass shooting in San Bernardino. Violence and hate in the world around us must be met with resolve and courage.
We pray that family and friends facing the pain of loss and the journey of recovery find strength in the compassion of their community. We draw especially close to the local Church, which has borne the burden of mourning the loss of those who died and of comforting their families, yet has the strength to reach out in love.
We are also reminded of those recovering from the shooting in Colorado Springs. Here, too, the Christmas story inspires us to give of ourselves, as Jesus gave up his body, so we may bring comfort and joy to those in need. We must not respond in fear. We are called to be heralds of hope and prophetic voices against senseless violence, a violence which can never be justified by invoking the name of God.
Watching innocent lives taken and wondering whether the violence will reach our own families rightly stirs our deepest protective emotions. We must resist the hatred and suspicion that leads to policies of discrimination. Instead, we must channel our emotions of concern and protection, born in love, into a vibrant witness to the dignity of every person. We should employ immigration laws that are humane and keep us safe, but should never target specific classes of persons based on religion.
When we fail to see the difference between our enemies and people of good will, we lose a part of who we are as people of faith. Policies of fear and inflammatory rhetoric will only offer extremists fertile soil and pave the way toward a divisive, fearful future. As Pope Francis reminded us in his speech to Congress: "The yardstick by which we measure others is the yardstick by which time will measure us."
Confident in what Jesus asks of us, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops remains steadfast in our commitment to refugees, who are often escaping severe persecution. We will continue to support strengthening social services for persons with mental illness, but we must remember that only a small number of those suffering with these challenges pose a risk to themselves or others. We encourage responsible firearms regulation. And we will advocate on behalf of people facing religious discrimination, including our Muslim brothers and sisters.
Let us confront the extremist threat with courage and compassion, recognizing that Christianity, Islam, Judaism and many other religions are united in opposition to violence carried out in their name.
---
Keywords: Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz, President, USCCB, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, violence, religion, peace, Christmas, encounter, mercy
# # #
MEDIA CONTACT
Norma Montenegro Flynn
O: 202-541-3202
Superior, Wisc., Dec 15, 2015 / 11:49 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis on Tuesday chose Monsignor James P. Powers to be the next Bishop of Superior, Wis. “I am humbled to be called to the order of bishop and sincerely appreciate the confidence being placed in me,” Bishop-designate Powers said Dec. 15. “I have great respect for the office and the responsibilities involved and look forward with joy and gratitude as I accept this new role as your shepherd.” “I am pleased to place my life in the service of the diocese in a new way. I am grateful to our Lord for the many blessings He has showered upon me over the years,” he added. He asked for prayers “that I will always be a faithful servant leader to the people of God entrusted to my care.” The Diocese of Superior is in northwestern Wisconsin on the shores of Lake Superior. Bishop-designate Powers, 62, has served as the administrator of the diocese since December 2014. His predecessor, B...
Superior, Wisc., Dec 15, 2015 / 11:49 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis on Tuesday chose Monsignor James P. Powers to be the next Bishop of Superior, Wis.
“I am humbled to be called to the order of bishop and sincerely appreciate the confidence being placed in me,” Bishop-designate Powers said Dec. 15. “I have great respect for the office and the responsibilities involved and look forward with joy and gratitude as I accept this new role as your shepherd.”
“I am pleased to place my life in the service of the diocese in a new way. I am grateful to our Lord for the many blessings He has showered upon me over the years,” he added. He asked for prayers “that I will always be a faithful servant leader to the people of God entrusted to my care.”
The Diocese of Superior is in northwestern Wisconsin on the shores of Lake Superior.
Bishop-designate Powers, 62, has served as the administrator of the diocese since December 2014. His predecessor, Bishop Peter Christensen, was chosen by the Pope to head the Diocese of Boise City.
He was born Feb. 6, 1953 in Baldwin, 120 miles northwest of La Crosse. Bishop Raphael M. Fliss of Superior ordained him a priest of the Diocese of Superior in May 1990.
After ordination Father Powers served as parish vicar, parish administrator, parish priest and adjunct judicial vicar. He has been a spiritual director for Teens Encounter Christ, a chaplain for the Knights of Columbus, a member of the priest personnel board, and a member of the diocesan insurance committee.
He studied canon law at St. Paul University in Ottawa, Canada.
His most recent pastoral assignment included multiple parishes: St. Joseph’s in Rice Lake, Our Lady of Lourdes in Dobie, St. John the Evangelist in Birchwood, and Holy Trinity in Haugen.
Bishop-designate Powers voiced gratitude to Pope Francis, Bishops Rafael Fliss and Peter Christiansen, and the priests, religious, and laity of the diocese who have supported him in his priestly ministry.
“It is my honor and privilege now to serve you as your bishop and I look forward to the opportunity to fulfill this role to the best of my ability,” he said.
The Superior diocese has about 77,200 Catholics in a population of 464,000. It has 74 priests, 68 permanent deacons, and 81 vowed religious.
Bishop-designate Powers’ episcopal ordination and installation is planned for Feb. 18, the Superior diocese said.
IMAGE: CNSBy Junno Arocho EstevesVATICANCITY (CNS) -- Creationism vs. evolution, scientific method vs. ethics, sciencevs. faith, the church's censure and rehabilitation of Galileo Galilei. For centuries,there have been countless confusion and arguments pitting science against faithas if they were two opposing forces.Inthe hopes of dispelling lingering myths and misunderstandings, one ecclesiasticalinstitute has launched a unique online course explaining the compatible rolesreligion and science play in seeking meaning and knowledge in today's world.Sponsoredby the Pontifical Council for Culture, the "Science and Faith inDialogue" program is run by the Theological Faculty of Catalonia inBarcelona, Spain, and it seeks to bridge the gap between science and faiththrough education.Thecourse was offered in Spanish in October 2013 and has had 750 students takepart worldwide, including 256 from Latin America.Becauseof the course's success, the theological institute of Catalonia is now launc...
IMAGE: CNS
By Junno Arocho Esteves
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Creationism vs. evolution, scientific method vs. ethics, science vs. faith, the church's censure and rehabilitation of Galileo Galilei. For centuries, there have been countless confusion and arguments pitting science against faith as if they were two opposing forces.
In the hopes of dispelling lingering myths and misunderstandings, one ecclesiastical institute has launched a unique online course explaining the compatible roles religion and science play in seeking meaning and knowledge in today's world.
Sponsored by the Pontifical Council for Culture, the "Science and Faith in Dialogue" program is run by the Theological Faculty of Catalonia in Barcelona, Spain, and it seeks to bridge the gap between science and faith through education.
The course was offered in Spanish in October 2013 and has had 750 students take part worldwide, including 256 from Latin America.
Because of the course's success, the theological institute of Catalonia is now launching the course in English starting Feb. 9, 2016.
Each class begins an introductory video on the day's lesson, narrated by Father Emili Marles Romeu, director of the "Science & Faith in Dialogue" program. In a style much like the U.S. science documentary series "Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey," the priest explains complex historical and scientific discoveries with relative ease. The lesson plans also include texts, summaries, tests and assignments. Students can also opt to be assigned specialized tutors who assist them throughout the course.
The course offers discounted courses to countries in Latin America with students paying a minimum of 20 euros for the entire 12 lesson course. Through grant and financial assistance, 25 percent of the students enrolled were able to study at no cost.
Father Marles told Catholic News Service that the low price and grants allow for the course "to be accessible to everyone regardless of location or financial situation." He and others presented the program at a news conference Dec. 10 at the Pontifical Council for Culture.
The lesson plans cover an array of scientific studies, including the debate between creationism and evolution and stem cell research. While the course is offered to everyone, Father Marles said that it is directed especially to those with an educational role in the church.
Father Armand Puig i Tarrech, dean of the Theological Faculty of Catalonia, said the course is a service that helps students and those who work in the field of Catholic education and catechism address the misconception that "the Bible and human reason are opposed to each other."
The course shows that countless scientific achievements have been achieved by Catholics dedicated to their faith like Galileo, the father of observational astronomy and modern physics, and Msgr. Georges Lemaitre, the Belgian priest and astronomer who proposed the Big Bang theory.
Although faith needs reason in order to be more grounded in the world, Father Puig said that science must also recognize its limits. "This course helps to bridge the world of science with human and divine realities," he said.
People can access a trial course, further information and registration details at www.scienceandfaithbcn.com/en.
- - -
Copyright © 2015 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. www.catholicnews.com. All rights reserved. Republishing or redistributing of CNS content, including by framing or similar means without prior permission, is prohibited. You may link to stories on our public site. This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. To request permission for republishing or redistributing of CNS content, please contact permissions at cns@catholicnews.com.
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) -- Projecting its ambition for regional leadership, Saudi Arabia said Tuesday it has lined up most of the Arab world, NATO member Turkey and several African and Asian countries behind a vaguely defined "Islamic military alliance" against terrorists....
PARIS (AP) -- Police arrested a 29-year-old man on Tuesday and held him for questioning about the Nov. 13 Paris attacks, officials said....
VIENNA (AP) -- The U.N. nuclear agency closed the books Tuesday on its decade-long probe of allegations that Iran worked on atomic arms, and Tehran proclaimed that within weeks, it would finish cutbacks on present nuclear programs that the U.S. fears could be turned into making such weapons....
GENEVA (AP) -- U.N.-brokered peace talks between Yemen's internationally recognized government and Shiite rebels opened Tuesday in Switzerland with expectations of a deal low as fighters failed to honor a weeklong cease-fire in some parts of the country....
MOSCOW (AP) -- U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on Tuesday accepted Russia's long-standing demand that President Bashar Assad's future be determined by his own people, as Washington and Moscow edged toward putting aside years of disagreement over how to end Syria's civil war....
BALTIMORE (AP) -- The latest on the trial of a Baltimore police officer who is charged with manslaughter in the death of Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old black man who was injured in the back of a police transport van (all times local)....
