U.S. Bishops’ Migration Chairman Mourns Migrant Deaths in Texas

WASHINGTON – Earlier this week, nearly fifty migrants were found dead in an abandoned tractor-trailer in San Antonio, Texas. Additional migrants were rescued from the truck, including children, and several of the survivors have since died. Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville, auxiliary bishop of Washington and chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Migration, issued the following statement:

“This is a tragic loss of life and a harrowing depiction of the extreme risks assumed by migrants out of sheer desperation. With deep sadness, I join Archbishop García-Siller in praying for strength, mercy, and understanding during this difficult time, especially for the survivors of this horrific incident. I also unite with Pope Francis in asking the Lord to ‘open our hearts so these misfortunes never happen again.’

“Unfortunately, this disregard for the sanctity of human life is all too common in the context of migration. As a Church called to build a culture of life, we cannot tolerate this injustice. Instead, we must recognize that we are brothers and sisters, each imbued with God-given dignity. To prevent further loss of life, we urge governments and civil society to promote access to protection, including asylum, develop new pathways for those compelled to migrate, and combat human trafficking in all its forms.”

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