National Migration Week 2020

Globally, there are more than 70 million people who have been forcibly displaced from their homes due to political instability, violence, and economic hardship. Pope Francis has challenged people to move from a culture of "indifference" to a culture of solidarity, which will help them to embrace the poor and marginalized, and those struggling to find a better life.

For nearly a half-century, National Migration Week has been observed in the United States to highlight the situation of immigrants and refugees and unite in prayer to accompany them. The theme for this year's observance (5-11 January) is "Promoting a Church and a World for All." This theme is designed to reflect the Church as a welcoming place for all God's children. It is a call for unity to stand in solidarity with and care for those who are excluded and marginalized.

"As a founding principle of our country, we have always welcomed immigrant and refugee populations, and through the social services and good works of the Church, we have accompanied our brothers and sisters in integrating to daily American life," said Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville, auxiliary bishop of Washington and chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Migration, in a prepared statement. "National Migration Week is an opportunity for the Church to prayerfully unite and live out the Holy Father's vision to welcome immigrants and refugees into our communities and to provide opportunities that will help them and all people of good will to thrive."

According to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Justice for Immigrants initiative, "Welcoming the newcomer and promoting a church for all counters what Pope Francis has referred to as 'a globalization of indifference,' which has led to many of us to ignore the cries of the poor, turn our backs on the marginalized, and remain indifferent to those struggling to find a better life. We are called to be an active Church in support of all of God's children, for 'the Church which 'goes forth' . . . can move forward, boldly take the initiative, go out to others, seek those who have fallen away, stand at the crossroads and welcome the outcast' (Evangelii Gaudium, 24).

"It is with this ideal in mind –that we call for a church that welcomes, protects, promotes, and integrates all, including immigrants and refugees. These four verbs have been used by Pope Francis to frame our obligations toward migrant populations. As he expressed in his message:

"Welcoming means, above all, 'offering broader options for migrants and refugees to enter destination countries safely and legally.' We must nurture societies that aim as much as possible to include, rather exclude. A culture of encounter that emphasizes humanity and inherent human dignity best counters anti-immigrant sentiment and welcoming is a vital step in that journey.

"Protecting migrants 'may be understood as a series of steps intended to defend the rights and dignity of migrants, independent of their legal status.' The Catholic Church has long emphasized the importance of protecting the human dignity of migrants, both through the implementation of humane policies and through their accompaniment.

"Promoting essentially means a 'determined effort to ensure that all migrants and refugees - as well as the communities which welcome them - are empowered to achieve their potential as human beings, in all the dimensions which constitute their humanity.' Of importance here is our obligation to institute practices and policies that will promote and preserve the integrity of the family, reaffirm family reunification, and make allowances for family members to work following their arrival to new destination countries.

"Integrating emphasizes the 'opportunities for intercultural enrichment brought about by the presence of migrants and refugees.' Although the initial act of welcoming migrants is an important step, it is imperative that we go further and take the necessary steps that will help them to become active, participating members of our communities."