By
Ambassador Johnny Young
From his first day in office, Pope
Benedict XVI has called on the church and the world to do what the bible has
commanded for over two millennia, to welcome the stranger. This theme drives
the work of the U.S. bishops Office of Migration and Refugee Services:
resettling, providing services to unaccompanied children, working in anti-trafficking,
striving for justice for the undocumented. What has mattered most in this
outreach to welcome the stranger has been the consistency, resolve, clarity and
unwavering moral authority with which the pope has spoken out on this issue
through statements, speeches and private audiences. He continually reminds his
followers and the world to give dignity and respect in the welcome to the
stranger.
A vivid example of his resolve,
determination and consistency on this issue is easily seen in remarks he made
just prior to his arrival in the U.S. for an official visit in 2008.During the flight,
he held a press conference, during which he strongly appealed to the U.S. to be
true to its history and not forget its immigrants and to be an generous to them
as it had been in the past. His calls of welcome are unending. His words have been helpful in supporting the
work done by the Church in so many ways to welcome the stranger through efforts
in anti-trafficking, caring for children, resettling refugees and working for
justice the undocumented. These issues affect human dignity and his
pronouncements on them have been clear, consistent and inspirational. His continued leadership on this is needed
and will not be forgotten.
-
Ambassador
Johnny Young is director of the Office for Migration and Refugee Services of
the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
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