DES MOINES – The crosshairs of American determination are now squarely locked and loaded upon legal and illegal migrants, and many are frightened, but they can sleep well knowing Iowa’s Catholic leaders are praying for them.
An election has been held, and voters have installed Donald Trump back into power. His vicious campaign of retribution and vitriol towards humans living in American that do not fit the description of MAGA purity (can you hear a banjo strumming … can you taste the roasted possum?) has the green light to commence the round up of many millions. They may soon find themselves at the wrong end of a loaded gun, pointed at them by frothy-mouthed ICE law enforcement, who will detain them, herd them into camps, possibly check their papers at some point, and then deport them. This may cost hundreds of billions of dollars and sink our economy, but cleansing America is the goal of MAGA, and it is the law of the land now. Migrants both legal and illegal are shaken with fear as these promises are feverishly assembled, en route to a real outcome.
To help our migrant neighbors cope with this inevitable outcome, fancy Iowa bishops penned a letter, offering thoughts and prayers.
READ THE LETTER:
A letter to our migrant brothers and sisters
Nov. 19, 2024
To our dear migrant brothers and sisters in Christ:
We write to you with hearts full of compassion and a deep desire to express our solidarity with you during this stressful time. We recognize the immense challenges you face as migrants, and we want to assure you that you are not alone.
As your bishops, we will advocate for your just treatment and dignity within the framework of the law. The Church will accompany and serve you at this time as much as we are able. We assure you of our prayerful support and ask the State of Iowa to do the same. You are our brothers and sisters. Please know that you are not forgotten and that your Church stands with you in solidarity.
Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has been a tireless advocate for those who find themselves in situations like yours, reminding us constantly of your inherent dignity and our responsibility to welcome you. He has said, “Migrants and refugees are not pawns on the chessboard of humanity. They are children, women, and men who leave or who are forced to leave their homes for various reasons, who share a legitimate desire for knowing and having, but above all for being more.”
Pope Francis has also reminded us, “God not only walks with his people, but also within them… In this we see an extension of the mystery of the Incarnation. For this reason, the encounter with [those who migrate], as with every brother and sister in need, is also an encounter with Christ. He himself said so.”
Sacred Scripture provides us with countless examples of God’s love for the stranger and the sojourner. These words remind us that we are all pilgrims on this earth and will all stand before Jesus at our final judgment and be held accountable for how we have treated others, especially those most in need.
May God bless you and grant you peace.
In Christ,
Most Rev. Thomas Zinkula
Archbishop of Dubuque
Most Rev. Dennis Walsh
Bishop of Davenport
Most Rev. William Joensen
Bishop of Des Moines
Most Rev. R. Walker Nickless
Bishop of Sioux City
(TOP IMAGE via iowacatholicconference.org.)
1 thought on “Top Iowa Catholic bishops pen letter to migrants, assuring them, “the Church will accompany and serve you””
Exactly the way it should be, come here illegally and get thrown out. We can’t just sneak into other countries, why should they be able to here. Come through the legal port of entries and there is no issue. If you are too stupid or dangerous to do that, then you don’t deserve to be here. Deport all illegals once and for all. ##MAGA