Arizona bishops urge perspective, prayer on immigration issues

Published: 2005-12-12

PHOENIX (CNS) -- Noting that their communities are increasingly divided as a result of immigration-related issues, the bishops of Arizona issued a pastoral letter calling for immigration reform and asking Catholics to respond to the mounting crisis with compassion, education, hospitality and prayer. "We ... are deeply saddened by the death and suffering we see on our border," said the letter, issued Dec. 12. "We are aware that our communities have become increasingly divided as a result of the immigration in our state. We have seen mounting expressions of hostility and opposition to undocumented immigrants. We are concerned about the image that some may have of Arizona as a state which is hostile to immigrants. We do not believe this to be true." The 4,000-word document, "You Welcomed Me," is an assessment of current public discourse, federal immigration policy, and immigration's cultural and economic impact on the state. In addition, it offers a history of the church's position on the right to migrate, explaining how it affects Arizona's Catholics today.

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