Pax Christi Michigan (PCM) deplores the executive orders of January 25 and 27, 2017

by President Donald Trump that would, respectively: 1) construct a wall at the U.S./

Mexico border and significantly increase immigrant detention and deportation; and,

2) virtually shut down refugee admissions for 120 days, significantly reduce the number

of refugees to be admitted to the United States this year, indefinitely suspend the re-

settlement of Syrian refugees, and temporarily bar admission to the United States from

seven predominantly-Muslim countries.

 

PCM urges all Christians, their churches, and church leaders to give full attention to the

responses to these executive orders from the Committee of Migration of the U.S.

Conference of Catholic Bishops.  

 

With respect to the Mexican border, Bishop Joe S. Vásquez, chair of the Committee on

Migration said, "I am disheartened that the President has prioritized building a wall on

our border with Mexico. This action will put immigrant lives needlessly in harm's way.

Instead of building walls … my brother bishops and I will continue to follow the example of Pope Francis. We will ‘look to build bridges between people, bridges that allow us to break down the walls of exclusion and exploitation.'"

 

Regarding the halt and reduction of admissions from seven predominantly Muslim countries, Bishop Vásquez stated, “We strongly disagree with the executive order's halting refugee admissions. We believe that now more than ever, welcoming newcomers and refugees is an act of love and hope." 

 

PCM is concerned about the xenophobia reflected in these executive orders, and particularly with the anti-Muslim bias reflected in the president’s January 27 edict. We encourage PCM members and others to support the rights of refugees, migrants and immigrants by: calling, writing and/or visiting Congress to lobby for immigration reform; participating in demonstrations, vigils and prayer services; exploring sanctuary strategies; providing legal assistance; providing food, clothing and shelter; assisting with assimilation into American culture, including jobs and language skills; and, working for the reversal of the president’s executive orders.

 

In the clearest possible Biblical language, Jesus instructs us to welcome immigrants, "I was a stranger and you invited me in." Today, when powerful forces in our nation urge anti-immigrant fear and seem ready to deny help to the most vulnerable immigrants, it is our obligation to live our faith fearlessly. We must see support for aliens in our midst as an opportunity to model for fellow Americans, especially those who do not share our faith, the love and beauty at the core of the Gospels.. 

 

As Pope Francis said, “You cannot be a Christian without living like a Christian.  You cannot be a Christian without practicing the Beatitudes. You cannot be a Christian without doing what Jesus teaches us in Matthew 25.  It’s hypocrisy to call yourself a Christian and chase away a refugee or someone seeking help, someone who is hungry or thirsty, toss out someone who is in need of my help.  If I say I am Christian, but do these things, I’m a hypocrite…..All nations must focus on service to the poorest, the sick, those who have abandoned their homelands in search of a better future for themselves and their families.  In putting ourselves at the service of the neediest, we will experience that we already are united; it is God’s mercy that unites us.”

 

We conclude with the words of Bishop Vásquez:

“We will continue to support and stand in solidarity with immigrant families. We remind our communities and our nation that these families have intrinsic value as children of God. And to all those impacted by {these} decisions, we are here to walk with you and accompany you on this journey.”

​

 Pax Christi Michigan State Council - February 2017