The Fifteenth Station
Jesus is resurrected from the dead
Although Easter has already happened, I want to offer a wrap-up to my series on the Stations of the Cross through the eyes of the refugee. Cruelty, suffering, hate, and even death do not have the last word. He is risen!
From the Stations of the Cross/Jesuit Refugee Service/UK:
After the Sabbath, and towards dawn on the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala and the other Mary went to visit the sepulcher...And suddenly, coming to meet them, was Jesus. ‘Greetings,’ he said. And the women came up to him and, clasping his feet, they did him homage. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers that they must leave for Galilee; there they will see me.’
Matthew 28:19-10
We adore you O Christ, and we praise you
. . . because by your holy cross, you have redeemed the world.
After Jesus’ death on the cross the world was dark; it seemed that death had won. However, we know that the darkness was not the end. On Sunday morning, the women went to the tomb to attend to the body, only to find that it wasn’t there. Jesus later greeted them on the road, risen to new life.
For those refugees who are fortunate to be granted official recognition and protection it must feel that the period of darkness is over, and a new life has begun. Like the risen Jesus, they may well bear the wounds of their experiences, but they can focus on a bright and hopeful future. What emotions would this bring? Are they overwhelmed, as the women in the Gospel appear to be when they encounter Jesus after His resurrection?
We pray for those who have finally been recognized as refugees in the countries they have fled to; that as they begin their lives in their new homes, they may be given all they need for a better future. We also pray for those refugees who are able to return to their homelands; that peace and prosperity may be their future, and that all wounds of division may be healed.
Our Father . . .
Hail Mary . . .
Glory be . . .
Of Migrants, Refugees and Asylum Seekers
How would I wrap up this 2025 Station of the Cross series?
My eyes have certainly been opened to the complexity of the US Government’s refugee admittance programs. Most troubling to me as an American Catholic is the seeming overall posture of the current Administration and many Americans, including Catholic Americans, that says to vulnerable people seeking refuge, “You are not welcome here.”
To date, the Trump Administration has shut down USRAP - the US Refugee Admittance Program, and claims to have shut down the US border, drastically curtailing opportunities for families and individuals fleeing violence or oppression to seek asylum here. In addition, the US Department of Homeland Security is attempting to renege on Temporary Protected Status for hundreds of thousands of Venezuelan, Haitian, Nicaraguan, Cuban, Afghan and Cameroonian nationals sheltering in the US due to catastrophes of some kind in their home countries. Finally, the Government has reversed the longstanding policy limiting immigration law enforcement in schools, hospitals and churches, turning places of refuge and assistance into places of fear.
There have been a few glimmers of hope. The US Courts have placed a stay on the Trump Administration’s plan to end Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans ahead of schedule. Court cases are proceeding to protect other groups of individuals from similar actions. In addition, on April 9, a federal court ordered the Administration to allow refugees that had been approved for admittance through USRAP prior to January 20th be allowed to enter the US. (Source – Religion News Service: In win for faith groups, federal judge rules Trump must begin admitting some refugees.) This lawsuit was filed by three Jewish and Christian agencies. It pains me to note that the US Conference of Catholic Bishops declined to join this suit.
Although individual Bishops have spoken out forcefully on behalf of refugees and immigrants, the Conference itself has seemed timid, not wanting to anger the Trump Administration or call unwanted attention upon itself. Personally, I can’t think of a good reason for the US Catholic Church to fail to defend some of the most vulnerable among us, here or abroad, in this moment or any moment.
I recall the decisive action the Bishops’ Conference took back in 2012 when the Obama Administration sought to require all insurance programs to offer contraception. The US Bishops railed against this offense to religious freedom. They organized “Fortnight for Freedom” prayer vigils and marches, created glossy bulletin inserts, made press releases, and raised funds to defend religious freedom and challenge the Administration. But for refugees and migrants there are no rallying cries, no condemnation of unjust and cruel policies? Not even a second collection, which many of us would have supported. I am trying to resist cynicism, and contain my disappointment, but it’s not easy.
Whatever ambivalence exists within the US Conference of Catholic Bishops regarding this Administration's actions against refugees, Pope Francis, may he rest in peace, was remarkably clear, forceful and consistent, saying “Migrants and refugees are human beings, precious in the eyes of God; they are our brothers and sisters; they are worthy of respect; what we do for them, we do directly for Christ.”
In a 2017 address to participants in an international forum on migration and peace, Pope Francis introduced four actions that are central to his teaching on this subject: welcome, protect, promote and integrate.
In her recent, excellent article in America Magazine, A Catholic guide to migration ethics in the Trump era, theologian Kristin E. Heyer, explains further:
“For Francis, welcome entails offering broader options for migrants to safely and legally reach destination countries; protect involves defending the human rights and dignity of those on the move, regardless of their legal status; promote summons the empowerment of newcomers’ participation in areas of work, religious expression, family integrity and active citizenship; and integrate refers to efforts at mutual intercultural enrichment, not the mere assimilation of newcomers. His emphases encourage a two-way street of integration rather than a unidirectional model marked by assimilationist paternalism that can tempt even ecclesial groups at times.”
What can I/we do?
Resist - In the example of the Parable of the Good Samaritan so often used by Pope Francis, resist temptation to be like the priest and Levite, who passed “at a safe distance,” whether we “retreat inwards, ignore others or [remain] indifferent to their plight.”
Reject - the collective delusion - primarily promoted on social media - that we as Catholics and Christians are not responsible for our neighbor, and anyhow, “those people” are not worthy of our concern and aid. This is in direct opposition to Jesus’s commandment that “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 26: 40
Refuse - to accept illegal actions by the Trump Administration such as the use of expedited removal, which the Administration has expanded to cover the entire country. This allows asylum seekers to be deported without being able to present their case to an immigration judge. And also, the unlawful and peremptory ending of Temporary Protected Status for vulnerable groups ahead of their lawful end date. Contact your Senators and Representatives to make your opposition to these illegal efforts plain.
Respond - by supporting organizations and agencies that are helping migrants and refugees legally immigrate to the US and provide services and support to them when they are able to do so.
A few organizations that come to mind for me are -
The Jesuit Refugee Service /US which provides advocacy, accompaniment and critical physical and mental health services to refugees and asylum seekers. (Full disclosure – I support JRS with a monthly donation.)
CLINIC, the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc., provides legal training and support to over 400 Catholic and community organizations operating across the US. They protect the legal rights of nearly 500,000 immigrants a year, making them the largest nonprofit immigration law organization in the country. (I have also donated to CLINIC.)
And the three agencies that help settle refugees accepted into the USRAP program mentioned in the Religion News Service article above:
HIAS The Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society
Lutheran Community Services – Northwest
From Luke 6: 36–38: “Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate. Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Pardon and you shall be pardoned. Give, and it shall be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will they pour into the fold of your garment. For the measure you measure with will be measured back to you.”
Thanks for taking the time to read and think about this important issue. I’ll continue to keep an eye on it going forward.
Dear Holy Spirit, help me to make my faith real. AMEN
Lord Jesus, help me to be like you, who loved us and died for our salvation. Inspire me by your love and guide me by your example. Turn my selfishness into self-giving, free me from every evil, and help me live on in the new life of your grace and peace. AMEN