Evangelical-Catholic Dialogue Launched to Deepen Collaboration on One of the Most Pressing Issues of Our Time
“Whatever theological differences exist between us, Catholics and evangelicals across our country are navigating many of the same complex realities—political and social—and the issue of immigration is an important example,” said Bishop Cahill.
WASHINGTON - Today, the inaugural meeting was held for the Evangelical-Catholic Dialogue on Immigration (ECDI), an ecumenical undertaking of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and National Association of Evangelicals (NAE).
The ECDI is being co-chaired by Bishop Brendan J. Cahill, chairman of the USCCB’s Committee on Migration, and Reverend Walter Kim, president of the NAE. In addition to the co-chairs, the ECDI is comprised of five members from each tradition, as well as organizational observers.
The initiative builds on a long history of collaboration between the USCCB and NAE, including a joint report released one year ago on the possible impacts of a policy of mass deportation on Christian families living in the United States. Since the release of that report, Catholic and evangelical leaders have grappled with many of the same pastoral challenges related to ongoing immigration enforcement efforts, such as an increase in fear and anxiety among members of their congregations. The USCCB and NAE have both addressed these issues separately.
In describing the effort, Bishop Cahill stated:
“I view the ECDI as a means of growing in Christian unity with our evangelical brothers and sisters, while also furthering our shared goal of bringing the message of the Gospel to bear on one of the most pressing issues of our time. Whatever theological differences exist between us, Catholics and evangelicals across our country are navigating many of the same complex realities—political and social—and the issue of immigration is an important example. Together, we place our hope in Jesus Christ, and we seek to live out his teaching in relation to this challenging topic.
“Our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, has emphasized dialogue as the key to peace, understanding, and fraternity, especially between different faith traditions. In seeking to live that out through the ECDI, I am deeply grateful to my co-chair, Reverend Kim, for his leadership and willingness to collaborate in this way and for the commitment of all those participating.”
###
