Cardinal Robert McElroy, who will soon be the new Archbishop of Washington, D.C., requested a greater humane immigration policy that values migrants' dignity. During a San Diego news conference, McElroy condemned recent policy changes authorizing immigration enforcement activity in churches and other sacred spaces. He argued that these policies undermine fundamental religious freedoms and give rise to fear among immigrant communities, deterring them from visiting religious worship, seeking education, and accessing needed services.
McElroy noted that criminalizing migrants conflicts with the teachings of the Catholic Church, which preaches safeguarding the poor and the weak. He appealed to lawmakers to seek policies with humanity and respect, not dehumanizing policies for individuals in search of a better life. His statements resonate with the general position of Pope Francis, who has persistently advocated for humane global migration policies.
While McElroy embraced that his ministry would be pastoral and not political, he reiterated the Church's moral obligation to denounce social injustices, of which immigration is one. As the Archbishop of Washington, he will be a leader in faith-based activism on issues of immigration and may influence future policy discussions in religious and political circles alike.
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