Immigration

The Catholic Church teaches that the stranger should be welcomed just as Christ himself. In our modern world, in the midst of debates about immigrants and refugees in the United States and around the world, our faith guides us to never lose sight of the inherent dignity of every person, including those leaving their places of birth for whatever reason.

In this video, Archbishop Cordileone outlines the principles on immigration, derived from the body of Catholic Social Teaching.

“Dear brothers and sisters, and, in a special way, young people! If we want to cooperate with our heavenly Father in building the future, let us do so together with our brothers and sisters who are migrants and refugees.”

– Pope Francis, Message for the 108th World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2022

Resources

See below a variety of resources related to Church teaching on the topic of immigration:

California Bishops Call for Solidarity with Migrants and Refugees (2021)

Immigration: The In-Between Life Issue – School of Pastoral Leadership Online Course

Webinar for National Migration Week 2021

Strangers No Longer: Together on the Journey of Hope – A Pastoral Letter Concerning Migration from the Catholic Bishops of Mexico and the United States

Partner Organizations

Banner photo: Close up of Timothy P. Schmalz’s sculpture, ‘Angels Unawares.’ Credit: Daniel Ibanez/CNA