On World Refugee Day, USCCB Migration Chairman Calls Catholics To Remember Refugees Around The World

In remarks in advance of World Refugee Day, celebrated June 20, Bishop Eusebio Elizondo, auxiliary bishop of Seattle, and chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' (USCCB) Committee on Migration, called upon Catholics to remember that there are many different types of refugees in the world.

Much of the world's attention in recent years has been drawn to the Syrian refugee crisis and its widespread impact on the Middle East, Europe, and the United States. However, Bishop Elizondo pointed out that the increase in migration from Central America of unaccompanied migrant children and families, many of whom would likely qualify as refugees, has been an ongoing concern for the Catholic Church and political leaders here in the United States for years. And these are not the only populations of concern.

"While these are both critical situations, it is crucial that we not forget the millions of other refugees and displaced persons all around the world who have been forced from their homes and been placed in precarious situations," Bishop Elizondo said in a prepared statement.

To further tell the refugee story, USCCB social media has been running a "Refugee Faces" feature on Facebook for the month of June (see https://www.facebook.com/usccb).

A number Catholic dioceses around the country (including Arlington, Dallas, Jacksonville, Phoenix and Portland, Maine) are hosting their own events to mark World Refugee Day.