BISHOPS COME TO WASHINGTON ON A MISSION FOR MIGRANTS

5/14 UPDATE: Bishops Coming to Washington on a Mission for Migrants

In the spirit of the border Mass, the bishops will now take their cause of immigration reform to Washington, DC on Thursday, May 29. Why? A Q&A.

WATCH THE REPLAY.

Homily by Archbishop Wenski.

Statements by Bishop Elizondo & Archbishop Wenski.

When: Thursday, May 29, 2014 at 8:30 a.m.

Where: St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church
(Capitol Hill neighborhood)
313 2nd Street SE
Washington, DC 20003

What: The Mass will be offered for immigrants and their families who are being subjected to separation because of our broken immigration system.

Who: Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski (Miami)
Bishop Eusebio Elizondo (Seattle)
Bishop Oscar Cantu (Las Cruces, NM)
Bishop Gerald Kicanas (Tucson)
Bishop Emeritus Ricardo Ramirez (Las Cruces, NM)
Bishop Martin Holley (Washington, DC)

Migrants pray before breakfast at a dining facility in Nogales, Mexico, that is supported by the Jesuit-run Kino Border Initiative. CNS photo/David Maung

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee on Migration, joined by bishops on the border, traveled to Nogales, Arizona, March 30-April 1, 2014, to tour the U.S.-Mexico border and celebrate Mass on behalf of the close to 6,000 migrants who have died in the U.S. desert since 1998.Homily of Cardinal Sean O'Malley 

Statements

Bishop Eusebio Elizondo,Auxiliary Bishop of Seattle and Chairman, USCCB Committee on Migration

Most Reverend John C. Wester, Bishop of Salt Lake City

The following U.S. bishops plan to travel to Nogales for the April 1 Mass:

His Eminence Sean Cardinal O'Malley, Archbishop of Boston

Most Reverend Eusebio Elizondo, Auxiliary Bishop of Seattle and Chairman, USCCB Committee on Migration

Most Reverend Gerald F. Kicanas, Bishop of Tucson

Most Reverend John C. Wester, Bishop of Salt Lake City

Most Reverend Mark Seitz, Bishop of El Paso

Most Reverend Oscar Cantu, Bishop of Las Cruces, NM

Most Reverend Ricardo Ramirez, Bishop Emeritus of Las Cruces, NM

Most Reverend Luis Zarama, Auxiliary Bishop of Atlanta

More Information

Know Before They Go

About the Bishops

Why Are They Going?

Why Do People Migrate?

What's the USCCB Position on Immigration Reform?

What Does Pope Francis Say?

What Does Catholic Social Teaching Say?

What's the Latest on Immigration Enforcement?

 

What You Can DoVolunteers with the humanitarian group No More Deaths leave food and water for illegal immigrants crossing into the Arizona desert from Mexico. CNS photo/J.D. Long-Garcia, Catholic Sun

Take action on Tuesday, April 1st:

  • offer a mass or prayer service

    Offer a Mass or Prayer Service for your community to gather in solidarity with the bishops.  If you are able, schedule your mass or prayer service at 12 PM ET / 9 AM PT to coincide with the exact time the bishops will celebrate Mass on the border OR intention an already-scheduled mass for immigrants & immigration reform. Resources for prayer and masses can be found at the Archdiocese of Chicago Immigrant Affairs Office website.
  • Advocate for Immigration Reform

    Send an electronic postcard to your member of Congress. Or use this toll free number: 1-855-589-5698. Ask them to "Support a path to citizenship and oppose the SAFE Act."
  • Fast in solidarity

    Fast in solidarity with migrants and immigrants. Fasting turns our attention away from our own needs and allows us to open our hearts to the suffering of others.

  • Spread the Word Via Social Media

    Take part in the Twitter conversation! We'll be using the hashtag #bordermass live from the border. Our voice for humane immigration reform can be heard by many more people if we work together!