Catholic Bishops have made an impossible choice about their refugee ministry.
Tuesday, April 4, 2025
What happened? The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has made the impossible, heartwrenching decision to formally end their relationship with the U.S. government for the work of resettling refugees and supporting unaccompanied migrant children, after the government has ended support of the program. This work, which has been beautifully and faithfully carried out for over 50 years, has continuously been funded by both the Church and the government in tandem. This decision was made with lots of grief, and the Catholic Church is committed to still supporting refugees and migrant children, but is also aware that there is a limit to what they can do without the funding they depended on. I strongly encourage you to read Rev. Broglio’s own words in the Washington Post about his grief at this decision.
As he says: “Visible in every individual and family is the face of Jesus and the promise of his care, support and hope.”
How can I pray? Rev. Broglio asked us to pray for the refugees who will be impacted by this program ending. He also asked us to pray for the staff who are faithfully doing this work, whose jobs are ending. Pray that the grace of God will allow the Church to creatively keep serving God’s people.
What is one more thing I can do? As Rev. Broglio writes, “The Bible’s call to do what we can for the least among us remains the benchmark.” How are you supporting the least of these in your community? Please share in the comments so we can encourage each other! Are you not sure how to serve? Let us know where you live, and we may have ideas to share!
When working with refugees and immigrants, I try to remember two things; 1) I am a heartbeat away from being a refugee. They are us -- because our situations could be reversed in a blink of an eye. We are only doing what they would do for us if we were in each other's shoes. I did not choose where I was born, and neither did they; and 2) My great-grandparents and one grandfather were all immigrants. People at Graafschap Church in Holland helped several of them when they first arrived. Helping new neighbors now is a way I can say thank you to those who helped my family members who arrived in the 1870's not speaking the language, not knowing the culture, needing food and housing, needing a caring and supportive community.
I'm very saddened at the loss of so many fruitful partnerships with the US government. On the other hand, at least for now, it may be better and safer for our immigrants to be served by the Catholic Church (and other churches) without government involvement. I know the faith-based organization I'm working with locally is doing just fine without federal aid... but sadly I know not every group can do this. Prayers for all, especially our newcomers who we welcome.