The Diocese of Arlington: Strengthening Our Unity by Welcoming the Stranger

Saturday, September 16, 2017

Join Bishop of Arlington, Bishop Michael Burbidge for an event discussing how to welcome the stranger in our diocese. Speakers include Bishop Burbidge, Art Bennett, President of Arlington Catholic Charities, and Catherine Motolenich Torres, Program Director of Legal Services at Hogar Immigrant Services. The day will begin with Mass at 9:00 a.m. with Bishop Burbidge as celebrant, and lead into the program at 10:00 a.m. All are welcome to attend this free event at Church of the Nativity, 6400 Nativity Lane, Burke, VA 22015.

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From Shared to Enriched Parishes

The challenge of welcoming people of different cultures dates from the Church’s earliest years (Acts 15:7-21). In nineteenth century America, Catholic bishops addressed the challenge by establishing “national” parishes where immigrants received pastoral care from priests of their countries of origin. Today, “shared” parishes are becoming the norm in the U.S., as the Church becomes more culturally diverse. Parishes vary in their success in creating a place of welcome and sense of community, depending on how open parish leaders and parishioners are to change. Last year, a major study was published on cultural diversity in the Church. Take a look at the recorded answers from the study, provided in both English and Spanish.

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Share the Journey Migration Campaign

On September 27, 2017, the Holy Father will launch a Caritas-led campaign, "Share the Journey," which is aimed at increasing support and solidarity for immigrants and refugees. It will focus on a variety of important topics, including the Church's engagement with immigrants and refugees, catholic social teaching on migration, and the need to address the root causes that drive migration. The Share the Journey campaign is expected to run for a two year period. Join the campaign now!

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Pope Francis Gives Us 4 Verbs on Migration: Welcome, Protect, Promote, Integrate

On February 21, Pope Francis released an official address to participants in the international forum on "Migration and Peace." In his address, he said, "The beginning of this third millennium is very much characterized by migratory movement which, in terms of origin, transit and destination, involves nearly every part of the world. Unfortunately, in the majority of cases this movement is forced, caused by conflict, natural disasters, persecution, climate change, violence, extreme poverty and inhumane living conditions... Our shared response may be articulated by four verbs: to welcome, to protect, to promote and to integrate."

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Cardinal Cupich of Chicago Takes Stand on Immigration Enforcement

Cardinal Blase Cupich of the Archdiocese of Chicago sent a directive to principals in more than 200 schools not to let federal immigration agents into their buildings without a warrant. If immigration agents are to show up without a warrant, Cardinal Cupich encouraged school officials to "tell them politely they cannot come on the premises, ask them for their contact information and tell them to contact the (archdiocese) Office of Legal Services." New immigration policies are of particular interest in Chicago, where Hispanic students make up nearly half of the 381,000 students in the city's pbulic school district and a quarter of the 76,000 students in the archdiocese's schools.

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Food Security & Economic Justice: A Faith Based Study Guide on Poverty & Hunger

The National Catholic Rural Life Conference, a faith-based membership organization focused on agriculture, food and the land, created this study guide as a reflection on hunger and poverty, and a call to action and justice. The content of this study guide delves into a critical reflection on how we relate the current world situation to the Story and Vision of our Catholic faith. The study guide also includes possibilities for action by individuals and groups.

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Bishop Burbidge Affirms Need for Immigration Reform

The following statement was released by Bishop Michael Burbidge, Bishop of Arlington, on January 26, 2017: Yesterday Bishop Joe Vasquez, Chair of the Committee of Migration and Bishop of the Diocese of Austin, issued a statement available below. In solidarity with Bishop Vasquez and my brother bishops, it is my hope and prayer that our elected officials will respond to the needs of our immigrants and their families in a way that respects their dignity as human persons, and that all entrusted with the protection and safety of our nation will carry out these sacred duties and responsibilities in a fair, just and responsible manner.

Read Bishop Vasquez's Statement

Did you miss the September 2016 Symposium entitled, Catholics & Politics: Faithful and Engaged Citizens?

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Pope Francis Releases Message for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees

"Migration today is not a phenomenon limited to some areas of the planet. It affects all continents and is growing into a tragic situation of global proportions."

Read Pope Francis's Full Message

Learn How to Protect Immigrants and Refugees

An Executive Order has been issued that has devastating impacts on refugee resettlement in the United States. Unfortunately, the U.S. refugee resettlement program is a life-saving program for the world's most vulnerable refugees. As Catholics, we seek to protect the vulnerable and recognize the human dignity of all. Today, with millions of people forcibly displaced from their homes, the need for the U.S. to show leadership in welcoming refugees and provide freedom from persecution is more urgent than ever.

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