Reflecting on people's right to remain in their country of origin, share in the common good and live in dignity will be the focus of Pope Francis' next message for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees.
Catholic organizations applauded the announcement Jan. 19 of a new State Department program that allows groups of private individuals to directly support refugees resettling in the U.S.
The Welcome Corps allows applications from private groups formed by five or more people to sponsor
Jesuit Refugee Service/USA has launched the Migrant Accompaniment Network, a nationwide group of volunteers "who will engage those who have recently arrived in the U.S. with their integration into welcoming communities," the organization said in a Sept. 14 announcement.
Countries around the world must get serious about reforming their immigration policies to respect the rights of migrants and refugees and establish orderly procedures for welcoming newcomers, Pope Francis said.
"We cannot leave to future generations the burden of responsibility for decisions that
A life-sized bronze sculpture of migrants and refugees crowded onto a boat has stood in St. Peter's Square for more than two years, but just before Christmas a small QR code was placed on the boat's stern to give onlookers information about
Pope Francis asked visitors in St. Peter's Square to join him for a moment of silent prayer for migrants, especially those who recently drowned in the English Channel and in the Mediterranean and those who are freezing on the border of Belarus
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and its Migration and Refugee Services "are proud to have the opportunity to welcome and assist those who have kept Americans safe in Afghanistan," said the USCCB president and the chairman of the bishops' migration committee
The Vatican recognizes how difficult it is for nations to manage the flow of migrants and refugees, but one thing is certain: "We must respond in a humane manner, a Christian manner, and we must try to help people, not harm them,"