CTA Vision Council Urges Bishops to Act for Immigrant Justice

An open letter written by Call To Action’s Vision Council to the US Conference of Catholic Bishops:

Dear Brother Bishops,

With the recent deaths at our southern border, reports about the horrifying conditions inside multiple U.S. government immigration facilities, and the deplorable actions of many border patrol and ICE agents, we at Call To Action believe that this is a time that Catholic Social Teaching calls all Catholics to stand in solidarity with immigrants. We know from your recent public statements that you agree.

You might have heard that on July 28-29, Repairers of the Breach, led by Rev. Dr. William Barber, will be taking part in an interfaith direct action in El Paso, TX. It is our hope as Catholics that you will be there as well, and call on priests and parishioners in your dioceses to join you. Specifically, we hope that you will:

• Reach out to the organizers at Repairers of the Breach and make a public statement of support.

• Show up in El Paso July 28-29, and organize a delegation of clergy and laypersons from your dioceses to join you. Individuals can register to attend events and training at www.breachrepairers.org/moralmondayborderlands.

• Commit to sustaining public Catholic witness for the rights of refugees, asylees, and all immigrants, and against the cruel and illegal current policies of the U.S. government.

We’ve reached out to our members to participate in and support this action. Many of us are looking forward to standing with you to end inhumane U.S. immigration policy, close the detention centers, and begin again to welcome and care for those seeking a better life.

Yours in Christ,

The Call To Action Vision Council

“When racist modern-day concentration-type camps are being run against Latino members of the human family & legal asylum seekers are being treated worse than prisoners of war, we must register our discontent. Silence in the face of evil is evil.”

-Rev. Dr. William J. Barber, II