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 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
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Vatican City, Dec 14, 2015 / 11:40 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis on Monday met with an Italian initiative aimed at offering support to unemployed and underemployed youth, saying their responsibility is to help young people rediscover the “vocation” of work in the context of their human dignity.

The task at hand is to help young people find, not just a job, but “a responsibility of evangelisation through the sanctifying value of work,” the Pope said during the Dec. 14 audience with members of the  Policoro Project.

However, this does not apply to “any form of work: not work that exploits, crushes, humiliates and abuses, but work that makes man truly free, in accordance with his noble dignity”.

“The vocation to work: that is one of the traits of human dignity,” the Roman Pontiff said. “There is no vocation to laziness, but to work.”

He added that this sense of commitment to work goes beyond monetary gains: it is for the “edification of the world, of society, and of life.”

Sponsored by the Bishops'  Conference of Italy, the Policoro Project began twenty years ago; it aims to support young people in Italy experiencing unemployment and underemployment.

Pope Francis met with the Policoro Project at the Vatican's Paul VI Hall, lauding the work of the initiative, which has spread nationally.

“Its key ideas have guided its success: the formation of the young, the establishment of cooperatives, the creation of mediation figures such as 'community animators' and a long series of concrete gestures, a visible sign of commitment throughout these twenty years of active presence.”

The Pope said work which allows for freedom, creativity, participation and mutual support helps workers “express and enhance” their dignity.

“Let us not lose sight of the urgency of reaffirming this dignity! It belongs to each and every one of us. .. When there is no work, dignity is at risk, as unemployment not only prevents you from putting food on the table; it also makes you feel unworthy of earning a living.”

The Roman Pontiff observed how young people today have fallen victim to unemployment, not only affecting their ability to sustain themselves, but also promoting feelings of unworthiness.

“How many of them have given up looking for work, resigned to continual rejection or the indifference of a society that rewards only the usual privileged few – even if they are corrupt – and obstructs those who deserve affirmation.”

“The reward seems to go to those who are sure of themselves, even if this security is gained through corruption. Work is not a gift to be kindly granted to the select few: it is a right for all!”

Pope Francis lauded the Policoro Project for representing a “sign of real hope for many people who have not resigned themselves but have instead decided to commit themselves courageously to creating or improving their opportunities for work.”

“Continue to promote initiatives for participation for young people in a community and participatory form,” he encouraged them.

“To the question, 'what has the Church to do with my situation?', that you have said and heard many times, the answer is 'witness'. And here you are able to provide your witness, face to face with those who are in need of courage and support.”

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IMAGE: CNS photo/Jim West

By Carol Glatz

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- To help appreciate and better promote the vocation of religious brothers, the Vatican released a 50-page reflection on the importance of their life and mission of evangelization, fraternity and sacrifice.

The Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life released "Identity and Mission of the Religious Brother in the Church" in five languages Dec. 14 as a guide for the whole church.

Pope Benedict XVI asked the congregation in 2008 to draft an instruction in order to underline the importance of the vocation of lay brothers, especially given "the challenges they must face" in today's world, said Archbishop Jose Rodriguez Carballo, secretary of the congregation. He spoke at a Vatican news conference presenting the document Dec. 14.

At the time, the former prefect of the congregation, Cardinal Franc Rode, had said the steep decline in the numbers of religious brothers was a clear sign "something must be done."

"We think one of the reasons for the decline in these vocations is due to a certain lack of attention on the part of the church" to brothers, who are mentioned only in passing in the documents of the Second Vatican Council and Vatican documents published later, he told Vatican Radio in 2010.

While the numbers of religious in every category have dropped in the past 50 years, the number of religious brothers decreased most drastically. For example, the Christian Brothers had 16,000 members in 1965 and have fewer than 5,000 today.

The number of religious brothers around the world totaled more than 55,250 at the end of 2013, according to recent Vatican statistics. However, the total number of priests -- diocesan and religious order -- around the world was nearly 415,350, with a steady increase in diocesan priests in Africa, Asia and the Americas, and a continued decline in Europe.

Archbishop Rodriguez said the document is meant to highlight "the richness and necessity of all the vocations in the church, especially the vocation of lay religious life for men and women."

He said it was hoped the reflection would help all members of the church become more aware and better appreciate the service and gifts of religious brothers, and help encourage and guide them in living their vocation "with authenticity and joy."

The instruction underlines the importance of serving like the Good Shepherd in order to make Christ present in the world and to enlighten, bless, raise up, heal and free humanity.

So many people are experiencing a "thirst for spirituality," it said, and religious brothers, especially those living in monastic or contemplative communities, should offer themselves as guides for those seeking deeper meaning, inviting people to prayer, reading Scripture and bridging faith and culture.

The text urged religious brothers to see no human situation as "alien" to their presence. Whether they engage in manual labor, defend human rights, teach, work in health care or serve in other ways, religious brothers must accept God's invitation to go to the world's peripheries and lead people to salvation.

"Today more than ever, the world needs consecrated persons who, from the heart of secular realities and of human life itself, bear witness to knowing and loving the God of life."

The document said religious brothers can be the "prophets for our time" which is witnessing "great social change."

What is needed, it said, is "the prophesy of hospitality," in which all people are welcomed; a "prophesy of the meaning of life" that helps people discover the essential; a "prophesy of the affirmation of feminine values," which supports and appreciates the presence and vision of women; "the prophesy of the care and protection of life" and creation; and "the prophesy of the wise use of new technologies," which is attentive to letting information and communication benefit those who are disadvantaged.

The document called for improving relationships and a sense of "equal dignity" in so-called "mixed" religious institutes whose members include lay brothers and religious priests. It said priests and the church hierarchy should promote and better appreciate the vocation of lay brothers and sisters, ensuring they can "participate actively in the organs of consultation, decision-making and implementation within the local church."

Archbishop Rodriguez said his congregation will ask Pope Francis to establish an ad hoc commission to look into the role of religious brothers in mixed or clerical institutes and their "participation in local, provincial and general governance" and administration.

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Follow Glatz on Twitter: @CarolGlatz.

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