The Catholic diocese of San Jose held a prayer service for immigration reform and reunification of migrant families separated at the U.S.-Mexico border Tuesday night at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph. Bishop Patrick McGrath presided over the service and began with, “pray for those who can’t come to public service such as this” to an almost-packed church. The prayer … [Read more...]
“Unconscionable tactics to drive asylum seekers deep into the desert”
San Jose Bishop Patrick McGrath tells large crowd at Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph that he is "profoundly disturbed and disheartened" by U.S. immigration policyJuly 19, 2018 8 Comments
An evening of prayer and solidarity for migrant families and immigration reform
Bishop Patrick McGrath calls on Catholics to join vigil for immigrants at Cathedral Basilica of San Jose on July 17July 10, 2018 19 Comments
Dear Brothers and Sisters, In light of the recent developments on the US ~ Mexico border with families being separated, I am calling all Catholics from our Diocese to join me in an evening of prayer and solidarity for migrant families and immigration reform. This vigil will be held at the Cathedral Basilica of San Jose on Tuesday, July 17th, from 7-8 PM. There will be … [Read more...]
“Family separation did not begin with this administration”
Archbishop José Gomez reflects on recent trip to international border at McAllen, TexasJuly 6, 2018 12 Comments
I am writing from McAllen, Texas, where I have joined some of my brother bishops to pray and try to bring hope to the hundreds of undocumented children being detained here and in nearby Brownsville. McAllen is in the Rio Grande Valley, about five miles north of the Mexican border. It is now the center of the humanitarian crisis caused by our government’s policy of separating … [Read more...]
Los Angeles archbishop to lead pilgrimage to Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Archbishop José Gomez will present hundreds of prayers from faithful across Southern CaliforniaJuly 3, 2018 8 Comments
For the second year and under the spiritual leadership of Archbishop José H. Gomez, 140 faithful of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles will begin a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas, in Mexico City on Thursday July 5, 2018. The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe houses the original tilma (or cloak) of Juan Diego, which holds the … [Read more...]
San Diego bishops join protest at Otay Mesa Detention Center
Bishop Robert McElroy: "If Mary, Joseph and Jesus had come to our border last week as refugees, the child Jesus would have been ripped from their arms and put in a cage"June 26, 2018 50 Comments
When Jesus was born He was hunted by the government, forcing His family to flee the country and seek refuge, Bishop Robert W. McElroy told an estimated 1,000 people who gathered outside the gate of a federal detention facility. “I grieve because I think of the fact that if Mary, Joseph and Jesus had come to our border last week as refugees, the child Jesus would have been … [Read more...]
‘No more mañanas’
At June 24 Mass for All Immigrants in Los Angeles, Archbishop Jose Gomez tells faithful the time for excuses on immigration reform is overJune 25, 2018 14 Comments
Amid the country’s escalating immigration crisis, Archbishop José H. Gomez encouraged Catholics at the June 24 Mass for All Immigrants not to be “discouraged by voices of fear and ugliness,” but to be “coworkers in renewing the soul of America.” “God will never leave his people alone,” Archbishop Gomez said, reflecting on the feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist … [Read more...]
Bishops of Mexico release security guide in response to rising crime
Advice includes details about how to handle travel, making a withdrawal from an ATM, and what to do if you are kidnapped, robbed, threatened, or extortedJune 22, 2018 3 Comments
As increased levels of violence in Mexico continue, the Mexican Bishops Conference has published a protocol guide to help prevent crimes against priests, religious and faithful in the country. The protocols are not intended to hinder “the pastoral activity of bishops, nuns and lay people, but to [help them] do it in the safest possible way,” said Bishop Alfonso Miranda … [Read more...]
President Trump issues executive order on border orphans
Move is welcomed by bishopsJune 21, 2018 3 Comments
After claiming to have no legal authority to unilaterally amend a recent Justice Department directive that resulted in the separation of migrant children from their parents along the U.S.-Mexico border, President Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order aimed at keeping families together after being apprehended for crossing illegally. "We're going to have strong, very … [Read more...]
“Un-American, un-Christian and inhumane”
San Jose Bishop Patrick McGrath denounces separation of families at US-Mexico borderJune 19, 2018 45 Comments
The following comes from Bishop McGrath’s “Message on Separated Families”: Dear Brothers and Sisters, We are hundreds of miles from the border, yet what has happened along the US-Mexico border over the past few weeks has a direct impact on many of our own people. Images of crying children, separated from their mothers, and the anguish of mothers whose infants have been … [Read more...]
“The end of our great national tradition”
San Diego Bishop Robert McElroy joins other bishops in denouncing decision by attorney general to put a stop to asylum claims based on domestic abuse, gang violence: "We have truly lost our moral compass as a country”June 13, 2018 27 Comments
A decision to deny appeals for asylum in the United States based on claims of domestic abuse or gang violence has been deplored by Catholic leaders from coast to coast. San Diego Bishop Robert McElroy called a ruling by U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions to reject such claims “a denial of our heritage.” “For the whole of our history, the United States has been a refuge for … [Read more...]
