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Catholic Bishops of Georgia Issue Immigration Statement

Catholic Bishops of Georgia Issue Immigration Statement

Last updated on: February 11, 2025 at 1:07 pm by Father Pablo Migone

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Catholic Bishops of Georgia Issue Immigration Statement 2025-02-11T13:07:44-05:00 Father Pablo Migone

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On February 4th, 2025, Archbishop Gregory J Hartmayer, OFM Conv. and Bishop Stephen D. Parkes, along with the three Auxiliary Bishops of Atlanta, issued the following statement. I am grateful for the support shown to the immigrant community of Georgia, a significant percent of which is Catholic.

La versión en español sigue luego de la original en inglés.

Here’s the statement:

The Catholic Church proclaims to the world that human life is sacred and has intrinsic value because every human person is fashioned in the image and likeness of the Creator. God created mankind in his image; in the image of God, he created them; male and female he created them. (Gen 1:27) This fundamental belief propels the Catholic Church to speak on issues of life, not for political ends, but rather to shed light on the beauty and mystery of our shared humanity.

Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, often speaks of our need to be cognizant of the poor and marginalized in our midst. In addressing a recent conference entitled “For World Balance,” His Holiness remarked, “The poor and the sick, the young and the elderly, migrants and displaced people, even those deprived of their freedom, must be at the center of our considerations, so that no one is excluded and everyone’s human dignity is respected.” Especially during this Jubilee Year, we are called to unite as Pilgrims of Hope to focus on our relationship with Jesus Christ, who is our ultimate and everlasting hope for the future.

As there is much discussion today about immigration, we, the Catholic Bishops of the State of Georgia, want to bring attention to the plight of the refugee and migrant who have come to our country and are living in our midst. The current rhetoric regarding the topic of immigration often demonizes all immigrants, causing anxiety, fear, harassment, and intimidation. Unsubstantiated and uncharitable comments about our brothers and sisters who have immigrated here from other countries do not respect our call to recognize human dignity and must be condemned.

As spiritual leaders, we recognize the diversity of the flock entrusted to us and are concerned about the welfare of those who have immigrated to Georgia seeking a better life for themselves and their families through honest work. Many industries in our state – including agriculture, construction, and residential services – rely on the presence of immigrant labor and would be negatively affected by proposed immigration policy changes. The immigrants we meet every day in our ministry are faithful people who are dedicated to God, the Church, family, and community. They put a human face on the immigration crisis. However, we also understand and agree that those who come to our country with previous criminal records and those who commit crimes after their arrival must be held accountable and deported to their home countries.

“We wish to affirm the recent statement by Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio (Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA), President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), and Bishop Mark J. Seitz (Diocese of El Paso), Chair of the USCCB Committee on Migration, which expresses concern regarding the negative consequences recent executive orders will have on the most vulnerable among us, including immigrants. Our hope, especially during this Jubilee Year, is attaining immigration reform that is faithful to three basic principles of the Church’s teaching on immigration: People have the right to migrate to sustain their lives and the lives of their families. A country has the right to regulate its borders and control immigration. A country must regulate its borders with justice and mercy. (USCCB, “Catholic Social Teaching on Immigration and the Movement of Peoples”)

As Catholics we share one faith and one baptism. As creatures fashioned by the same God, we share in the same sanctity of human life. The call and desire of every Catholic, regardless of national origin or legal status, is to worship the Almighty, and we pray that our churches may be places of peace through solemn prayer, places of grace afforded by the celebration of the Sacraments, and places of compassion provided by fellowship and accompaniment. We invite you to join us in prayer for our country and her leaders, that they may be blessed with wisdom, compassion, and openness to collaboration. We also lift in prayer our immigrant brothers and sisters and all who are marginalized, that the light of Christ will guide them to peace. During this Jubilee Year and always, may we have the desire to journey together as Pilgrims of Hope.

The Most Reverend Gregory John Hartmayer, OFM Conv., Archbishop of Atlanta
The Most Reverend Stephen D. Parkes, Bishop of Savannah
The Most Rev. Joel M. Konzen, S.M.. Auxiliary Bishop of Atlanta
The Most Rev. Bernard E. Shlesinger III, Auxiliary Bishop of Atlanta
The Most Rev. John Nhàn Trần, Auxiliary Bishop of Atlanta

Declaración sobre inmigración, Conferencia Católica de Georgia

La Iglesia Católica proclama al mundo que la vida humana es sagrada y su valor intrínseco porque cada ser humano está hecho a imagen y semejanza del Creador. Y Dios creó al hombre a su imagen; lo creó a imagen de Dios, los creó varón y mujer. (Génesis 1:27) Esta creencia fundamental impulsa a la Iglesia Católica a pronunciarse sobre cuestiones de vida, no con fines políticos, sino más bien para arrojar luz sobre la belleza y el misterio de la humanidad que compartimos.

Nuestro Santo Padre, el Papa Francisco, habla a menudo de la necesidad que tenemos de ser conscientes de los pobres y marginados en nuestro medio. En su discurso en la conferencia reciente titulada “Por el equilibrio del mundo”, Su Santidad dijo: “Los pobres y los enfermos, los jóvenes y los ancianos, los migrantes y los desplazados, incluso los privados de libertad, deben estar en el centro de nuestras consideraciones, para que nadie quede excluido y todos vean respetada su dignidad humana”. Especialmente durante este Año Jubilar, estamos llamados a unirnos como Peregrinos de Esperanza para centrarnos en nuestra relación con Jesucristo, quien es nuestra esperanza suprema y eterna para el futuro.

Debido a que actualmente hay tanto debate sobre inmigración, nosotros, los obispos católicos del estado de Georgia, queremos volcar la atención sobre la difícil situación de los refugiados y los migrantes que han llegado a nuestro país y viven entre nosotros. La retórica actual sobre el tema de inmigración a menudo demoniza a todos los inmigrantes, causando ansiedad, miedo, acoso e intimidación. Los comentarios infundados y poco caritativos sobre nuestros hermanos que han inmigrado aquí desde otros países no respetan nuestro llamado a reconocer la dignidad humana y deben ser condenados.

Como líderes espirituales, reconocemos la diversidad del rebaño que se nos ha confiado y nos preocupa el bienestar de quienes han inmigrado a Georgia en busca de una vida mejor para ellos y sus familias a través del trabajo honesto. Muchas industrias en nuestro estado, incluyendo la agricultura, la construcción y los servicios residenciales, dependen de la presencia de mano de obra inmigrante y se verían afectadas negativamente por los cambios propuestos en la política de inmigración.

Los inmigrantes a quienes servimos todos los días en nuestro ministerio son personas fieles que están dedicadas a Dios, a la Iglesia, a la familia y a la comunidad. Ellos le dan un rostro humano a la crisis migratoria. Sin embargo, también entendemos y estamos de acuerdo en que quienes llegan a nuestro país con antecedentes penales y aquellos que cometen delitos después de su llegada deben rendir cuentas y ser deportados a sus países de origen.

Deseamos reafirmar la reciente declaración del Arzobispo Timothy P. Broglio (Arquidiócesis para los Servicios Militares, EE. UU.), presidente de la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de los Estados Unidos (USCCB por sus siglas en inglés), y el Obispo Mark J. Seitz (Diócesis de El Paso), presidente del Comité de Migración de la USCCB, la cual expresa preocupación por las consecuencias negativas que las recientes órdenes ejecutivas tendrán sobre los más vulnerables entre nosotros, incluyendo los inmigrantes. Nuestra esperanza, especialmente durante este Año Jubilar, es lograr una reforma migratoria que sea fiel a tres principios básicos de la doctrina católica sobre la inmigración: Las personas tienen el derecho de migrar para sustentar su vida y la vida de sus familias. Un país tiene el derecho de regular sus fronteras y de controlar la migración. Un país debe regular sus fronteras con justicia y misericordia. (USCCB, “Enseñanza social católica sobre la inmigración y el movimiento de los pueblos”)

Como católicos compartimos una fe y un bautismo. Como criaturas creadas por el mismo Dios, compartimos la misma santidad de la vida humana. El llamado y el deseo de cada católico, independientemente de su origen nacional o estatus legal, es adorar al Todopoderoso. Oramos para que nuestras iglesias puedan ser lugares donde se sienta la paz que brinda la oración solemne, la gracia que inspira la celebración de los sacramentos y la compasión que genera la confraternidad y el acompañamiento. Los invitamos a unirse a nosotros para orar por nuestro país y sus líderes, para que Dios los bendiga con sabiduría, compasión y abierta disposición a colaborar. También elevamos en oración a nuestros hermanos inmigrantes y a todos los marginados, para que la luz de Cristo los guíe hacia la paz; y rogamos para que durante este Año Jubilar y siempre, tengamos el deseo de caminar juntos como Peregrinos de Esperanza.

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