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Bishop Mark Seitz of Diocese of El Paso Discusses Pastoral Letter on Migration with Catholic Leaders and Media

BY ISN STAFF | July 18. 2017

“The system is broken. We need comprehensive immigration reform. It is overdue.”

Bishop Mark J. Seitz, bishop of the Catholic Diocese of El Paso, spoke today with Catholic leaders and media from across the country regarding his pastoral letter entitled, “Sorrow and Mourning Flee Away: Pastoral Letter on Migration to the People of God in the Diocese of El Paso,” (English / Español) which was officially signed earlier today during an event in front of religious and civic leaders in El Paso.

The virtual conversation was organized by Hope Border Institute and broadcast from Sacred Heart Church of El Paso, a Jesuit parish just yards away from the U.S.-Mexico border, and offered an opportunity for Bishop Seitz to share an overview of the letter and respond to questions. The letter is the first official pastoral letter on immigration issued by a U.S. Catholic bishop in a number of years and builds on a pastoral letter issued by the bishops conferences of the United States and Mexico, “Strangers No Longer: Together On the Journey of Hope.”  

Bishop Seitz spoke directly to examples from a broken immigration system, and emphasized the need to respond as a Catholic community to “do all we can, as Pope Francis has called us; to accompany people in these struggles.”

Throughout the pastoral letter text, a number of specific diocesan initiatives are introduced, including (1) initiating a “commission on migration” comprised of both priests and lay leaders; (2) establishing the Soñador Fund, providing Catholic school scholarships to Dreamer children, who Bishops Seitz referred to as the “most innocent among the innocent;” (3) establishing an extensive leadership formation program in migrant ministry and immigration advocacy, including a rapid response program; (4) development by diocesan attorneys of a policy memorandum for all parishioners advising on legal rights should immigration enforcement officials approach parish; and (5) a call for a moratorium on detention and deportation.

“It is not right to send people back into the situation they fled,” says Bishop Seitz, referencing countless cases of migrants who have come to the U.S. amid threats against their lives and the lives of their families. “This a ‘de facto death penalty’ for people who have crossed our border for refuge and asylum.” He emphasized that the U.S. helped write international asylum laws and expects other nations to uphold them, and our country’s responsibility to do the same.

Bishop Seitz shared the story of Carlos Gutierrez, a young man in his mid 30s, who is married with two young children. Eight years ago, he was a successful businessman in Chihuahua. A ruling gang began extorting funds from him and his businesses and Gutierrez came to point where he could no longer sustain payment amounts. On an outing with friends in a local park, Gutierrez was abducted and attacked with a machete, losing both legs. He survived, and fled as soon as he was able, arriving in El Paso. For last eight years, has been in the process of seeking asylum, but has not yet legally received it. “What is wrong with a system that would send a man back who has lost both of his legs to the place where they did that to him?” asks Bishop Seitz. “This is clearly a broken system.”

He also emphasized the gifts of migrants to the diocese and El Paso community, and the peaceful, loving, hard-working, faithful, community-oriented culture embodied in migrant communities, allowing El Paso to be the safest city of its size in the U.S. “I feel so blessed to be here on the border with this migrant community,” he shared.

“Migrants on the border are being held hostage through rhetoric and action by politicians in faraway places,” said Dylan Corbett, executive director of Hope Border Institute, a community organization that seeks to bring the perspective of Catholic social teaching to bear on the social realities unique to the El Paso-Ciudad Juárez-Las Cruces region through a robust program of research, reflection, leadership development, advocacy and action. Today’s signing and celebration affirms the value of our identity as a border community and the contributions of migrants, while serving as a protest against demonization of migrants and migrant communities and militarization of the border.”

Speaking on the proposed border wall and increased militarization of the border, Bishop Seitz expressed grave concern that additional wall construction would continue to push migrants into the most dangerous border areas where enforcement is not as strong—increasing the number of individuals who lose their lives attempting to seek asylum.

“Start with the Gospel,” said Bishop Seitz to the assembled leaders in immigration and media. “There is so much richness that calls us beyond those things that would divide us.” The call to open the doors of communication between Anglo communities and the immigrant community is imperative. “We need to open up the doors, find structures that bring communities together. Worship together, gather for meals. Once you accomplish that the whole narrative changes.


View the recorded conversation with Bishop Seitz:

12 replies
  1. Diana Gutierrez
    Diana Gutierrez says:

    I am a practicing catholic in this comnunity. I strongly disagree with this,so call letter on immigration. There are established laws of our country that must be followed! The Catholic Church should stick to religion and stay out of politics. Shameful! This is exactly why I am no longer volunteerin at blessed sacrament church.

    Reply
    • jon of la crosse
      jon of la crosse says:

      Had Jesus stuck to religion and stayed out of politics, you would not be a good practicing Catholic today. My Catholic religion has an obligation to speak out in this gravely moral issue that imposes great suffering on countless humanity.

      Reply
      • Gene Racho
        Gene Racho says:

        While supporting “social justice” it is important to remember that as Diana G states, there are laws of the land to be upheld. Furthermore, the President is also responsible for the safety of the citizens of this country. The challenge is to ascertain the correct immigration solution. It appears that on both sides there is only solution, depending upon which side one might espouse. What is left out of the equation is that this country was dedicated to God at its founding. Both sides seem to forget this and, if a prayer is offered, it is for God to endorse “their” solution. I don’t hear a sincere and heartfelt call or request for prayer by Church leadership for His solution nor do I hear a similar call for sincere prayer that the elected officials that He has allowed to be put into office also call upon Him for His solution… and we must realize it is His solution that will always be the best solution. So, in conclusion, I ask you to join me in a sincere prayer that we all seek God’s solution to this and other important issues facing our country today and for our leaders and officials to seek His direction as well . Father, this we ask in the name of Jesus, your son, Amen.

  2. jesus b ochoa jr.
    jesus b ochoa jr. says:

    laws that are unjust have no moral standing. go review the beatitudes, and then repeat that you are a practicing catholic. it takes more than going to mass and doing volunteer work.

    Reply
  3. Jononwater, arch of San Franisco
    Jononwater, arch of San Franisco says:

    So the bishop has set up a commission. Big deal! For every one poor soul who lost his legs thousands come for economic gain. The Church would be better served challenging people on both sides of the border to stand up and fight the evil in their countries rather than enable them to trespass upon our country and abuse our decades long tradition of generosity to those who suffer. How bout a Holy Crusade to defeat the drug lords, the corrupt politicians, and apathy towards taking control of their lives?

    Reply
    • Andrew, Arch of MKE
      Andrew, Arch of MKE says:

      While the Bishops have advocated for changes in our immigration system, they have first advocated for working to improve the circumstances in countries from which people are fleeing. http://www.archmil.org/ArchMil/Resources/SOLJUS/IMM-AnsweringToughQuestions.pdf
      And you’re right – thousands have come to our country to seek economic gain. Catholic Social Teaching says that people have a right (and obligation!) to support their families with dignified work, and if that’s not available where they are born, they have a right to migrate to a place that offers such opportunities. We countries that are enjoying far-more-than-our share of God’s blessings have an obligation to use those to help those most in need.
      And to whom are you referring when you say ‘apathy towards taking control of their lives’? I assume you don’t mean the folks immigrating, and I’m not sure about whom you’re talking.

      Reply
  4. Patricia Edmisten
    Patricia Edmisten says:

    “Whoever saves one life saves the world entire.” Talmud

    “The idea that some lives matter less is the root of all that’s wrong with the world,” Dr. Paul Farmer, co-founder Partners in Health

    Reply
  5. Christopher Patrick Torres
    Christopher Patrick Torres says:

    Fist of all, bishop Seitz needs to worry about who he is hanging out with. He is letting people who are promoting abortion and allowing them to receive communion. Like Mr. Beto who is running for senate. It’s ok to rip the baby from the womb but yet immigration is am important issue?! It’s a double standard. Those people broke the law! If I were caught driving with my child in the vehicle after having a few beers and got pulled over for running a stop sign them they catch me for being under the influence, I lose my child as well! But… I broke the law…. I know the consequences. That’s people do too. Why are they coming here? Why isn’t their president doing anything to take care of them? Why must we? At least we have a president who puts America first! Sorry, but the bishops are wrong and the pope is wrong. I’m a devout catholic and a real catholic must stand against abortion first and foremost. Stop that and the evil in the world will die! Who is fighting for the baby in the womb? I know I am! That’s murder and they don’t have a voice and that is the worst evil of them all!

    Reply

Trackbacks & Pingbacks

  1. […] Pastoral Letter on Migration: In an online conversation organized by the Hope Border Institute, Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso discussed his pastoral letter on migration, the first from a U.S. Catholic bishop on this subject in several years. In the letter, Bishop Seitz addressed the need for accompaniment of migrants, as espoused and exemplified by Pope Francis, and proposes a number of initiatives to help guide Catholic communities in this effort and called for a moratorium on detention and deportation. Learn more details about the pastoral letter and watch Bishop Seitz in conversation here: https://ignatiansolidarity.net/blog/2017/07/18/pastoral-letter-migration/. […]

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