The Catholic News Herald has done a good job informing the faithful of the tragic “zero tolerance” policy by the Trump administration on our nation’s southern border. These stories have originated from the Catholic News Service, and many U.S. bishops are quoted, as well as immigration policy experts.
A glaring omission is the local or diocesan angle, with little reaction from our own clergy and parishes. This is the precise moment that our leaders should employ Catholic social teaching to shine a diocesan spotlight on the plight of these undocumented migrants. The overriding principle of this teaching is the dignity and rights of each person, with emphasis on the most vulnerable.
As a result of public uproar, the White House has rescinded its child separation policy and a judge has ordered families to be reunited within 30 days. But as Catholics we must keep vigilant of social injustice and describe it for what it is – immoral. We need to urge Bishop Peter Jugis and our pastors to remind us that the Gospel means less when we don’t bring it to action in today’s world.
As the Catholic News Herald’s June 22 front page headline exclaims: “We must do better.”
George Burazer lives in Charlotte.