Cardinal Sean O’Malley: “Migrants, Refugees Are Human Beings, Not Problems”

Our Executive Director Father Marc took some time to reflect on Cardinal Sean O’Malley’s discussion at the Catholic University of America in March.

During his lecture at Catholic University in Washington in March, “Migration and Immigration: A Challenge of Our Time for Church and State,” Cardinal O’Malley said Pope Francis has offered clear direction to the Catholic Church and political leaders on aiding migrant refugees: to welcome, to protect, to promote, and to integrate. 

“Welcoming requires generous and reasonable national policy; protecting requires diligence and seeing that individuals and families are not taken advantage of,” said Cardinal O’Malley. “Promoting involves opening the path to citizenship and employment. Integrating means respecting the migrants cultural and religious heritage while creating the space and assistance to enter the life of our society.” 

Cardinal O’Malley said his primary attention is the moral dimension of the immigration policy. He mentioned seven fundamental Catholic teachings on immigration: the human community, the dignity of the human person, rights and duties of migrants and their receiving communities, the common good, social justice, solidarity, and the preferential option for the poor. 

Full story here: Cardinal: Migrants, Refugees Are ‘Human Beings’ Not ‘Problems’ | Washington, D.C. | Catholic University of America – Washington, DC | CUA