USCCB Reaffirms Church’s Solidarity with Immigrants

Millions of pilgrims converged on Mexico City Monday to celebrate the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. The crowd gathers at the basilica annually on December 12, the anniversary of one of several apparitions of the Virgin Mary witnessed by Saint Juan Diego in 1531. Catholic communities maintain a strong devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, who is venerated as a symbol of unity in diversity and maternal concern.  

Bishop Mark J. Seitz of El Paso, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Migration, issued a statement Monday reaffirming the Church’s solidarity with immigrants.

“When we speak about the issue of immigration, we are fundamentally addressing the movement of people—human persons created in the image and likeness of God, each one of them a brother or sister to us all. Unfortunately, this truth is often obscured by political rhetoric, fearmongering, and hyperbole. Our Lady of Guadalupe points us toward a better way, one that ultimately leads to reconciliation.”

Read Bishop Seitz’s full statement here.