Immigration advocates give Pope letters from children

Last updated on: March 26, 2014 at 11:00 pm by CNA Daily News

Immigration advocates give Pope letters from children 2014-03-26T23:00:00+00:00 CNA Daily News

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Vatican City, Mar 26, 2014 / 05:00 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- A group of U.S. immigration reform advocates participated in Wednesday’s General Audience at the Vatican, giving the Pope letters from children who face being separated from their parents by deportation.

The group, which traveled from Los Angeles and was blessed by the city’s Archbishop Jose Gomez, hoped to encourage Pope Francis to advocate for them during his impending meeting with President Barack Obama.

The group chose 10-year-old Jersey Vargas, the daughter of undocumented immigrants, as their representative to the Pope. Vargas was born in the U.S. and her father is currently imprisoned in Indiana and at risk of being deported.

At the end of the March 26 General Audience, Vargas, the third of five siblings, was able to reach the first row to greet Pope Francis, giving him more than 1,000 letters from children whose families may be separated by deportation, as well as the gift of a handkerchief.

Vargas’ mother sewed into the handkerchief two birds and a nest, representing herself, her husband, and their home.

"My father is suffering,” Vargas told Pope Francis, according to The Tidings. "And other children in the United States are suffering just like I am."

The Pope blessed her, kissed her forehead, and told her, "I will talk to President Obama about it."

Alicia Flores, director of “Hermandad Mexicana Transnacional” and a member of the delegation, told CNA, “we have come to send a message to President Obama via the Pope, asking the Pope that he would advocate for all the families who are going to be deported, as is Jersey’s family.”

Flores stressed that Obama has “deported more than 2 million people” – more than were deported during the eight years of George W. Bush’s administrations.

Obama “maintains he is deporting criminals,” she said, “while in truth he is deporting fathers whose only crime is that of giving a contribution to the country, since they are working, and of being without the proper documents.”

Pope Francis’ meeting with Obama will take place March 27.

Caitlin Hayden, representative of the National Security Council, has said Obama is “willing to discuss with Pope Francis urgent global challenges, such as the lack of mobility and opportunities.”

The leaders’ meeting will likely zero in on general topics, such as the crisis in Ukraine, social imbalances, efforts for peace, and the need to foster a culture of encounter.

More specific topics, such as abortion law, religious liberty, and same-sex marriage, are more likely to be discussed at a later meeting between the American delegation and the Vatican Secretariat of State.

Marta Jimenez contributed to this report.

Vatican

Previous Post

March 26, 2014

Bishops say Cesar Chavez film shows Catholic social justice

Next Post

March 27, 2014 Minor protection group shows collaboration with Jesuit center

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Americas Asia - Pacific Europe Middle East - Africa Uncategorized US Vatican

Select a Month November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Which Psalm is a prayer of repentance after David's sin with Bathsheba?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Psalm 51 Psalm 24 Psalm 23 Psalm 7