Bishops Issue Statement on First Anniversary of Postville Enforcement Actions, Continue Call for Immigration Reform

WASHINGTON—To commemorate the first anniversary of the Postville, Iowa, immigration worksite enforcement action, Bishop John C. Wester, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Committee on Migration released a statement recalling the humanitarian cost of such actions and calling, once again, for the reform of our nation immigration policies.
           
“My brother Catholic bishops and I understand and support the right and responsibility of government to enforce law,” said Bishop Wester. “We strongly believe, however, that worksite enforcement raids do not solve the challenge of illegal immigration. Instead they lead to the separation of U.S. families and the destruction of immigrant communities. ”
           
Bishop Wester called families to pray for “those hurt by the raid and to work for comprehensive immigration reform so that others will not face similar pain and cruelty in the future.”
           
“The Postville action of a year ago is a disturbing reminder of the need to repair the nation’s broken immigration policies,” said Bishop Wester.
           
Read Bishop Wester’s statement.

POPE PRAYS "MAY PEACE, BORN OF JUSTICE, RETURN TO THE HOLY LAND"

VATICAN CITY, 11 MAY 2009 (VIS) - At 4.15 p.m. today, Benedict XVI made a courtesy visit to Shimon Peres, president of the State of Israel, in the presidential palace in Jerusalem.

  Following some words from the president, the Pope pronounced his address. "I pray daily", he said, "for peace born of justice to return to the Holy Land and the entire region, bringing security and renewed hope for all".

  After highlighting how "peace is above all a divine gift", the Pope addressed himself especially to the religious leaders present at the ceremony, saying: "the particular contribution of religions to the quest for peace lies primarily in the wholehearted, united search for God".

  "Religious leaders must therefore be mindful that any division or tension, any tendency to introversion or suspicion among believers or between our communities, can easily lead to a contradiction which obscures the Almighty's oneness, betrays our unity, and contradicts the One who reveals Himself as 'abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness'".

  The Holy Father then went on to affirm that "security, integrity, justice and peace" are, "in God's design for the world, ... inseparable. ... There is only one way to protect and promote these values: Exercise them! Live them! No individual, family, community or nation is exempt from the duty to live in justice and to work for peace".

  "The authentic values and goals of a society, which always safeguard human dignity, are indivisible, universal and interdependent. Thus they cannot be satisfied when they fall prey to particular interests or piecemeal politics. A nation's true interest is always served by the pursuit of justice for all".

  Finally, the Holy Father had words for "the ordinary families of this city, of this country", saying: "What parents would ever want violence, insecurity, or disunity for their son or daughter? What humane political end can ever be served through conflict and violence? I hear the cry of those who live in this land for justice, for peace, for respect for their dignity, for lasting security, a daily life free from the fear of outside threats and senseless violence.

  "And I know", he added in conclusion, "that considerable numbers of men and women and young people are working for peace and solidarity through cultural programmes and through initiatives of compassionate and practical outreach; humble enough to forgive, they have the courage to grasp the dream that is their right".

Pope Benedict Arrives in Jordan

PRAYING FOR THE PRECIOUS GIFT OF UNITY AND PEACE

VATICAN CITY, 8 MAY 2009 (VIS) - At 3.30 p.m. local time today (2.30 p.m. in Rome), the Holy Father arrived at the "Regina Pacis" Centre in the Jordanian capital city of Amman. The centre, founded by Bishop Salim Sayegh, Latin patriarchal vicar of Jordan, is dedicated to the social rehabilitation of people with disabilities. Having been greeted by His Beatitude Fouad Twal, patriarch of Jerusalem of the Latins, the Pope began his remarks by praising the work of the Comboni Sisters and the lay staff who work in the centre. read more

Peace Pilgrims Receive Special Recognition

Sue and Jim Morris recieve the Pax Joliet Award from Tom Garlitz

Springfield, IL May 6, 2009

In a special luncheon and prayer service hosted by the Most Rev. George J. Lucas, Bishop of the the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois, Tom Garlitz, Director of the Peace and Social Justice Ministry of the Joliet Diocese, presented Sue and Jim Morris with the Pax Joliet Award for their years of work in the pursuit of justice and peace in the Holy Land. (read the presentation text.)