Our nation is currently having an intense debate about refugees. The Catholic Church does not prescribe the exact number of refugees a country should admit nor say that national security is unimportant. But, given the nearly 200 exhortations in the Bible to shelter the oppressed, we must error on the side of generosity and hospitality. As Pope Francis has said, “Migrants and refugees are not pawns on the chessboard of humanity. They are children, women and men who leave or who are forced to leave their homes for various reasons, who share a legitimate desire for knowing and having, but above all for being more.”
Welcoming refugees, of course, does not mean that we will or should neglect the poverty of the people already here in the United States and in Putnam County. Catholics are called to tirelessly work to serve and honor the dignity of both those seeking refuge in our country, and those who are already in our country and experiencing great need. Our Sunday Mass readings from early February exhort us to “shelter the oppressed and the homeless,” as well as to “not turn your back on your own.” Each human person has God-given dignity, and each human person we must love as ourselves.
Sincerely,
Father John Hollowell
Catholic Priest, Saint Paul the Apostle Catholic Church