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El rol de las instituciones católicas en la política migratoria

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Por Marietha Góngora V.

WASHINGTON (OSV News) — El pasado 11 de abril se llevó a cabo la segunda jornada de la Conferencia de Inmigración “Respondiendo a las Realidades Cambiantes en la Frontera de los Estados Unidos y Más Allá” en Catholic University of America en Washington D.C.

Organizada por dicha universidad y la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de EE.UU., la conferencia incluyó paneles y presentaciones de historiadores, académicos y expertos con experiencia práctica en la atención a la población migrante.

El panel llamado “El Rol de las Instituciones Católicas en la Conformación de la Política Inmigratoria”, habló de la necesidad de abogar por políticas que defiendan la dignidad de las personas. Este panel inició con la intervención de Giulia McPherson, vicepresidenta de defensa política y operaciones de Jesuit Refugee Service USA.

Los asistentes escuchan a los oradores durante una conferencia sobre inmigración en la Universidad Católica de América en Washington el 11 de abril de 2024. La conferencia fue organizada por la universidad y la Conferencia de Obispos Católicos de Estados Unidos. (Foto de OSV News/Patrick Ryan, Universidad Católica de América)

“Más allá del número de personas a las que podemos atender en el día a día, se trata de lograr un impacto mayor. La defensa (de los temas de migración) es una parte fundamental de nuestra misión y de nuestro trabajo” dijo McPherson, quien aseguró que uno de los enfoques de sus esfuerzos es la protección del acceso al asilo. Así que en la oficina de EE.UU., dijo, los esfuerzos de defensa migratoria se centran en el gobierno federal.

“Somos receptores de fondos del Departamento de Estado para unos 14 países diferentes en los que operamos y esos fondos nos ayudan a prestar algunos de esos servicios como acceso a la educación, medios de subsistencia, salud mental y apoyo psicosocial”, afirmó, añadiendo que esta organización que tiene presencia en más de 55 países. “Así que estamos centrando gran parte de nuestra labor de defensa en tratar de garantizar que el gobierno de EE.UU. siga apoyando estos programas de ayuda a los refugiados en el extranjero”.

Posteriormente, Christy Williams, directora de asuntos gubernamentales y de política social de Catholic Charities USA, explicó que y sus muchas oficinas locales ofrecen asistencia en materia de nutrición para combatir la inseguridad alimentaria, alojamiento y refugio, así como colaboración con entidades gubernamentales para responder a las necesidades de comunidades que han sufrido catástrofes en el país.

“El trabajo de Caridades Católicas no es opcional. El trabajo es obligatorio porque el Evangelio requiere que las agencias de Caridades Católicas estén al servicio de los pobres y vulnerables como (el Evangelio de) Mateo 25 nos llama a hacer,” dijo, agregando la exigencia de la doctrina social católica de apoyar a los necesitados.

En materia de abogacía y defensa, Williams dijo que la organización proporciona “todo el apoyo que necesiten cuando se trata de abordar cuestiones dentro de las agencias federales relacionadas con la inmigración”.

“También nos involucramos con el Congreso en nombre de los grupos a los que sirven las agencias de Caridades Católicas para abogar por políticas y legislación que prioricen las necesidades de los pobres, aseguren que esas políticas de legislación sean humanas, honren la dignidad de las personas y aseguren que sus derechos sean respetados”, dijo Williams.

“La reforma integral de la inmigración siempre ha sido una prioridad de Catholic Charities USA,” dijo, admitiendo — como otros expertos – que actualmente el enfoque está en pequeñas victorias como “abogar por la ampliación de las vías legales para ingresar a EE.UU. es una gran prioridad para nosotros este año, sobre todo después de que hemos visto muchas políticas restrictivas como el Título 42, por ejemplo, y otras políticas que realmente han afectado negativamente a los inmigrantes y les han cortado el acceso a protecciones vitales en la frontera”.

No es ningún secreto que el sistema de inmigración necesita una mejora masiva, afirmó Williams quien añadió que “parte de esa mejora es garantizar que las agencias federales que administran la inmigración en este país dispongan de los recursos que necesitan para garantizar que la máquina funcione de la forma más fluida y eficiente posible”.

“Eso significa garantizar que la gente no tenga que esperar dos o tres años por un permiso de trabajo o esperar diez años antes de que su caso pueda ser revisado por un juez de inmigración”, dijo.

A su turno, Celina Marquez, asesora de políticas de la USCCB, dijo que durante décadas la se ha colaborado con organismos gubernamentales para acoger y prestar servicios a refugiados, solicitantes de asilo, niños no acompañados y población indocumentada.

Marquez explicó que dentro del Departamento de Migración y Servicios a Refugiados (MRS por sus siglas en inglés) operan oficinas especializadas como la Oficina de Reasentamiento de Refugiados, la Oficina de Servicios a la Infancia y la Oficina de Políticas, esta última ayuda “con diversas formas de defensa, incluida mucha defensa federal. En cuanto a la legislación, interactuamos directamente con los miembros del Congreso para debatir propuestas de ley y hacer recomendaciones o explicar por qué algo puede no funcionar”.

“Estamos al tanto de la legislatura estatal. Hemos hablado hoy de la legislatura, como SB4 (en Texas) y estar al tanto de esto y mantener nuestro dedo en el pulso de lo que está pasando en todo el país”, aseguró Marquez.

En el trabajo de defensa, afirma Marquez, “siempre estamos centrados en abogar por una reforma migratoria integral y bipartidista para que la población de migrantes que actualmente están en el país, ya sean indocumentados o estén aquí bajo una forma temporal de estatus como el TPS (o DACA), tengan un camino hacia el estatus y también para aquellos que están fuera del país y esperan entrar para que tengan una forma más segura de migrar”.

Por su parte David Cronin, especialista senior en política y legislación de Catholic Relief Services, afirmó que en nombre de la comunidad católica de los Estados Unidos, CRS se relaciona “a diario con legisladores y políticos sobre las cuestiones que afectan a nuestra familia mundial fuera de los Estados Unidos”.

“Catholic Relief Services está en 121 países de todo el mundo para satisfacer las necesidades de las personas donde están, y en muchos lugares donde estábamos, nos reunimos con personas que han sido desplazadas”, afirmó.

Cronin añadió que actualmente sirven a poblaciones en riesgo de desplazamiento en Colombia, Gaza, Etiopía, Centroamérica y Haití. “¿Cómo los acompañamos?, ¿cómo caminamos con ellos?, ¿cómo les damos herramientas y recursos para que puedan prosperar allí donde viven?, ¿cómo les damos esperanza en tiempos de desesperación? Gracias a la generosidad del pueblo estadounidense, a través de la generosidad de la comunidad católica de los Estados Unidos. Eso es lo que hacemos en todo el mundo”.

En su trabajo de defensa, ellos buscan asegurarse que “el dinero de los contribuyentes estadounidenses se destina a apoyar la ayuda humanitaria y a abordar las causas profundas de la migración”. Este es un trabajo que se hace a través del proceso anual de asignaciones, puntualizó. “Es muy importante porque el dinero es poder. El dinero es influencia. El dinero es esperanza. Así que hay que pensar en el dinero”, explicó.

Cronin finalizó haciendo un llamado a la reflexión: “Sólo espero que durante esta conversación no olviden a las personas que se ven afectadas por las políticas. No pasa ni un día, ni una hora, ni un minuto aquí en Washington, cuando pensamos en cuestiones políticas, sin que olvidemos que mientras estamos aquí sentados con ropa y trajes bonitos, en un bonito edificio con aire acondicionado, las personas en las que pensamos en el mundo no lo están”.

“Ellos necesitan desesperadamente la esperanza, los recursos y el apoyo” del liderazgo de Estados Unidos, dijo. “Y ese liderazgo está justo al final de la calle haciendo que los responsables políticos tomen las decisiones correctas sobre cómo asignar su tiempo, sus recursos y su liderazgo a escala mundial”.

Marietha Góngora escribe para OSV News desde Washington D.C.

Ciudad de México es una ‘sala de espera’ para los migrantes mientras resuelven su situación legal antes de dirigirse a la frontera

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By David Agren

CIUDAD DE MÉXICO (OSV News) — Eliana Polo, una migrante venezolana, intentó llegar a la frontera con Estados Unidos a bordo de un tren de carga con su esposo y su hija de 4 años, pero funcionarios de seguridad la obligaron a abandonarla a unas 75 millas de la frontera con Estados Unidos en Paso de Águila, Texas.

Posteriormente, funcionarios de migración mexicanos llevaron a su familia al estado sureño de Tabasco, donde se dirigieron nuevamente al norte. Esta vez, sin embargo, se detuvieron al llegar a Ciudad de México y exploraron sus opciones legales.

“Me devolvieron la primera vez”, dijo Polo a OSV News desde un refugio para migrantes administrado por católicos en la Ciudad de México. “No quiero correr el riesgo de que me envíen de regreso a Venezuela”.

Durante mucho tiempo los inmigrantes han pasado por el área de Ciudad de México en sus travesías hacia el norte, un acto casi inevitable en un país centralizado, donde la mayoría de las carreteras conducen a la capital.

Una anciana migrante de Venezuela descansa mientras se refugia para pasar la noche en la Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad en la Ciudad de México el 27 de noviembre de 2023, mientras ella y otros migrantes esperan que se programe una cita con la Oficina de Aduanas y Protección Fronteriza de Estados Unidos a través del aplicación para teléfonos inteligentes CBP One de la agencia. (Foto de OSV News/Gustavo Graf, Reuters)

Pero un número cada vez mayor de inmigrantes ahora se queda por largos períodos en Ciudad de México mientras intentan resolver sus situaciones legales antes de arriesgarse a cruzar la frontera entre Estados Unidos y México, donde los cárteles de la droga los persiguen para secuestrarlos.

En los últimos años, Ciudad de México ha sido vista como una opción segura en un país donde cárteles se disputan franjas de territorio. Los católicos que trabajan con inmigrantes dicen que la capital ofrece a las personas sin documentos adecuados la posibilidad de evitar el escrutinio de los funcionarios de migración y, a menudo, encuentran trabajo en la vasta economía informal para mantenerse mientras esperan.

“El único lugar donde no hay retene es la Ciudad de México”, dijo el padre Benito Torres, párroco de la parroquia de Santa Cruz y la Soledad, que alberga a los inmigrantes en su iglesia del siglo XVIII y atiende un campamento de inmigrantes cercano. Describió la ciudad como un lugar “donde pueden arreglar sus papeles”.

Los católicos que trabajan con migrantes atribuyen el creciente número de inmigrantes a la aplicación para celulares CBP One, que se introdujo en enero de 2023.

La aplicación permite a los migrantes obtener citas para ingresar a los Estados Unidos en los puertos de entrada oficiales. Pero solo es accesible para los solicitantes después de llegar al área de Ciudad de México. Las citas también son escasas, lo que “hace un embudo en la Ciudad de México”, según el padre Torres.

Polo fue una de las afortunadas — recibió su cita en marzo después de dos meses de intentarlo. Permaneció todo el tiempo con su familia en el refugio San Ángel Arcángel administrado por los Scalabrinianos en el extenso distrito de Iztapalapa en la Ciudad de México. Su esposo tenía trabajos ocasionales en un mercado mayorista cercano, mientras ella colaboraba en el refugio preparando comidas para otros huéspedes. La familia volará a la frontera el 15 de abril y entrará a Estados Unidos al día siguiente, y las aerolíneas aceptarán su cita con CBP One como documento de viaje.

Otros todavía están esperando. Víctor, de 22 años, huyó de Ecuador con su esposa y su hijo de 2 años después de que matones del cartel de la droga extorsionaran el salón de manicura de su esposa. La familia ha esperado dos meses en el albergue de Iztapalapa para una cita con CBP One, pero Víctor dijo que su esposa había encontrado trabajo en un salón de manicura, lo que le permitió cuidar a su hijo mientras la familia ahorra dinero para viajar a la frontera.

“Queremos hacer esto bien”, dijo Víctor mientras esperaba una cita.
El padre scalabriniano Juan Luis Carbajal habla de un “efecto CBP One” en la capital, que atribuye al “deseo de una migración más regulada y controlada”.

Se estima que hay 2.500 migrantes esperando en la Ciudad de México, de los cuales el 99% intenta usar la aplicación CBP One, según un recuento realizado por una coalición de organizaciones no gubernamentales y refugios católicos. La mayoría vive en seis campamentos, donde duermen en tiendas de campaña y carecen de servicios sanitarios básicos.

“La Ciudad de México se ha vuelto la sala de espera para aquí hacer la aplicación” para sacar una cita, dijo el padre Carbajal, director de ministerios para migrantes de la Arquidiócesis de la Ciudad de México.

“Es la Iglesia la que está dando ayuda humanitaria y la que hace sus esfuerzos de dialogar con autoridades para que atienda este caso”, afirmó.

Los funcionarios de la Iglesia han abogado por el barrido de calles, la recolección de basura y medidas de saneamiento básico alrededor de las plazas que albergan campamentos de inmigrantes, además de brindar atención médica a los niños, muchos de los cuales están desnutridos, dijo el padre Carbajal.

El gobierno de Ciudad de México no ha atendido muchas de sus solicitudes, dijo. Mientras tanto, el presidente Andrés Manuel López Obrador ha insistido en que su gobierno “se preocupa” por los migrantes y exigió que Estados Unidos aborde lo que considera las causas fundamentales de la migración.

Informes en las redes sociales y entrevistas con católicos que trabajan con migrantes sugieren un aumento en el número de migrantes detenidos y enviados de regreso al sur de México. Associated Press también describió que los venezolanos quedaron “atascados” en México debido al aumento de la aplicación de la ley, a instancias de la administración Biden.

México ha comenzado a repatriar venezolanos, pagando 110 dólares mensuales durante seis meses a quienes regresan voluntariamente al país sudamericano. El padre Carbajal vio poco interés entre los inmigrantes por regresar a Venezuela, donde la economía colapsó debido a la mala gestión del gobierno y los candidatos populares para las próximas elecciones presidenciales han sido descalificados.

“La gente no quiere volver por unos cientos de dólares”, dijo el padre Carbajal. “Ellos sacrifican y quieren llegar a Estados Unidos, donde van a tener más dólares”.

(David Agren escribe para OSV News desde Ciudad de México.)

Catholic approach to migration seen as a chance to be ‘prophetic’

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By Marietha Góngora V., Maria-Pia Negro Chin, and Andrea Acosta

WASHINGTON (OSV News) – Continuing to minister to migrants at the border and beyond while advocating for policies that uphold people’s dignity is a way the U.S. Catholic Church follows God’s call, said experts during an April 11 migration conference at The Catholic University of America in Washington.

Hosted by CUA and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the conference’s theme was “Responding to Changing Realities at the U.S. Border and Beyond.” It included panels with academics and experts with hands-on experience ministering to migrants.

Attendees listen to speakers during an immigration conference at The Catholic University of America in Washington April 11, 2024. The conference was hosted by the university and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. (OSV News photo/Patrick Ryan, Catholic University of America)

After his opening prayer, Auxiliary Bishop Evelio Menjívar of Washington referenced the recently released Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith’s declaration “Dignitas Infinita,” saying that migrants have their “dignity denied in their home countries but also their lives are put at risk” because they often engage in a dangerous journey for the sake of their families.

But, said William Canny, executive director of the department of Migration and Refugee Services at USCCB, the human dignity of all migrants should not be denied or forgotten.

Drawing from “Strangers No Longer: Together in a Journey of Hope,” the 2003 joint document by the bishops of the U.S. and Mexico, which addressed the need to manage migration more humanely and emphasized pastoral care to newcomers, he said: “We are guided by these principles: People have a right to stay and find opportunities in their own country. They have the right to migrate and support themselves and their families when they cannot stay. Sovereign nations have the right to control their borders, we would say humanely. Refugees and asylum-seekers should be given protection, wealthy countries perhaps have a greater responsibility to do that. Human dignity and human rights of undocumented migrants should always be respected.”

The first panel at CUA’s migration conference delved into migrants’ experiences at the border and beyond, including the root causes of migration, what migrant families face, and how the church responds during their journey and once they arrive in the U.S.

Sister Tracey Horan, a Sister of Providence of St. Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, who is associate director of education and advocacy at the Kino Border Initiative, a binational Catholic organization located in Nogales, talked about migration to the border of the U.S. as an act of desperation. She said that while in 2017, their migrant center would see men migrating for economic reasons, they are increasingly seeing more families — with 83% of people reporting violence and persecution as their primary reason to migrate in 2023.

Those arriving at the southern border come from countries like Venezuela, Mexico, Colombia, as well as China, and Russia.

Because migrants seeking protection from violence can’t just walk up to the port of entry, people can wait in Mexico for months, Sister Tracey told OSV News. “We’re trying to accompany people as they’re facing these really tough choices about how to sustain their families as they’re stuck in limbo and how to access an orderly pathway to getting protection in the U.S.”

Bishop Mark J. Seitz of El Paso, Texas, speaks as Peter Kilpatrick, president of The Catholic University of America, looks on during an immigration conference at university in Washington April 11, 2024. The conference was hosted by the university and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. (OSV News photo/Patrick Ryan, Catholic University of America)

Holy Cross Sister Sharlet Ann Wagner, director of the Newcomer Network at Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Washington, described the situation migrants face once they enter the U.S. and said that many community-based organizations are overwhelmed. For example, she said that her agency in Washington has 35 professionals in the legal department and can’t keep up with the demand.

This was later echoed by Michelle Sardone, deputy director of programs at Catholic Legal Immigration Network Inc. She warned that despite organizations’ efforts to provide immigration legal services, many migrants face the immigration system without legal representation. “At the end of last year, the backlog of cases in immigration court was 3.2 million, and of those cases, only 30% have representation,” she said.

But accompanying new migrants also is an opportunity to follow Jesus’ teachings and be prophetic, said Sister Sharlet Ann, even when current rhetoric demonizes migrants or treats them as a political tool. “It is a privilege to walk with them,” she said of the migrants they serve.

Moreover, she added, the United States needs workers who contribute to local economies, stressing that they are ready and willing to work. She added that although local governments face the unexpected need to respond to an increase in population, responding to migrants is an investment.

Citing Congressional Budget Office projections, she said the labor force will increase by 5.2 million workers by 2033. Because of immigrants entering the workforce, she said, CBO estimates that gross domestic product will increase by about $7 trillion and revenues will grow by $1 trillion between 2023 and 2034.

The panel also addressed misinformation — primarily spread through social media — which creates confusion for migrants but amplifies anti-immigrant rhetoric. Misleading information and increased politicization of the issue have made discussing the Catholic response to migration controversial.

Oblate Father Leo Perez, USCCB’s director for National Collections for Church in Latin America, said that the times he preaches about what the Gospel says about migrants, he knows he has “to be ready to be attacked right outside the church by people who think you’re politicizing the Eucharist.” But, having met migrants on the move while visiting Latin America and seen what they go through, the priest said he stores up energy to face this.

When talking about migration, sharing the testimonies of people is crucial because “it helps us see the human side, the people and not numbers,” said Sister Tracey, echoing a widespread sentiment of panelists and attendees.

CUA’s president, Peter K. Kilpatrick, told OSV News, “it’s critically important to discuss immigration, really at all times, but especially in this year of our national election for our next president.”

“This conversation, I hope, will sensitize our hearts, too, and help us discern better where we invest all of our time and energy to be of service to our neighbor,” he said of the conference.

During her presentation for the panel, “Why do Catholics respond to the call to stand with immigrants?,” CUA professor Julia Young quickly summarized the century-long history of Catholic migration advocacy at the U.S.-Mexico border. She focused on five moments of Latin American migration since 1910 — the Mexican revolution and later the Cristero War, the Bracero program for Mexican workers, Cuban migration to Miami and Puerto Ricans moving to New York and New Jersey — pointing out the ways Catholic leaders helped reunite families, offered legal services, assisted unaccompanied minors, face racism and nativism, and advocated for those who came.

The church was doing “what so many people in this room are doing now,” she said.

Jesuit Father David Hollenbach, a research professor at Georgetown University, talked about the biblical basis for caring for migrants. In the Old Testament, the call to love the stranger is listed 36 times, he said, and this call is echoed in the Gospel of Matthew.

Meanwhile, Todd Scribner, Migration and Refugee Services’ director of education, talked about the church responding to the needs of Catholic migrants at the beginning of the 20th century — and how mid-century shifts, including the number of people migrating to flee communism — affected the way it cared about migrants as a person, regardless of their faith.

Panelists also stressed that many of the Catholic schools and hospitals that are now part of American life were initially founded to serve Catholic immigrants, often amid anti-migrant and anti-Catholic sentiment before they integrated into U.S. society.

“In the past, there was a lot of nativism,” Young told OSV News. Narratives first described migrants from Southern Europe and Eastern Europe as different and dangerous people who “can never be assimilated,” she said, likening it to some charged rhetoric portraying newcomers as “a crisis.”

“The history of our migration shows us that migrants can and do become American and also enrich the culture in the United States,” she said.

During a keynote address, Kilpatrick interviewed Bishop Mark J. Seitz of El Paso, Texas. The bishop talked about the enduring solidarity of the community of El Paso amid restrictive policies in the state, migrants’ contributions to society, the response of cities receiving busloads of migrants “being sent there in a way intended to overwhelm resources,” the need for an all-hands-on-deck approach amid a surge in migration and the call for a consistent ethic of life.

He also said the virtue of hospitality “sums up fundamental aspects of being a Christian” because “our whole salvation is based on a hospitable God who is willing to reach out to us.”

From a practical standpoint, he continued, responding to the needs of migrants “who are forced to the sidelines because of our unwillingness to welcome them and integrate them as our Holy Father calls us to” is “fundamental for a healthy nation.”

“This is a key moment, and we will either thrive or not thrive as a nation in the future, as a place of peace, justice, and harmony. … Unless we respond to this challenge,” he said.

During an afternoon panel, experts then discussed Catholic institutions’ role in shaping immigration policy.

Christy Williams, director of social policy and government affairs at Catholic Charities USA, explained that its centers around the country help combat food insecurity, housing and shelter, and disaster relief. Thus, they engage with Congress “to advocate for policies and legislation that prioritize the needs of the poor, ensure that those legislation policies are humane, honor the dignity of people, and ensure that their rights are respected.”

This includes advocating for expanded legal pathways to enter the U.S. because restrictive policies “have really negatively impacted migrants and cut them off from access to vital protections at the border,” Williams said.

That is why it’s important that “federal agencies that administer immigration in this country have the resources they need,” which will, in turn, mean that “people are not waiting two or three years for a work permit or wait 10 years before they can have their case heard before the immigration judge.”

Celina Marquez, a USCCB policy adviser, said that in addition to working with government agencies to welcome and provide services to refugees, asylum-seekers, and unaccompanied children, MRS’s Office of Refugee Resettlement assists “with various forms of advocacy” on a federal level while keeping a finger on the pulse of state legislatures that can affect vulnerable migrant populations. These include work authorizations for asylum-seekers, more safety measures for migrant children and promoting family unity, as well as addressing root causes of migration.

“We are always focused on advocating for comprehensive, bipartisan immigration reform so that the migrant population that is currently in the country, whether they are undocumented or here under a temporary form of status like TPS, have a pathway to status and also for those who are outside the country and hoping to come in” so they have a safer way to migrate, she said.

Meanwhile, Giulia McPherson, vice president of advocacy and operations for Jesuit Refugee Service/USA,explained that JRS, which works in more than 55 countries, receives State Department funds for about 14 countries. Those funds help displaced people with access to education, livelihood and mental health support. “We are focusing a lot of our advocacy to make sure that the U.S. government continues to support those overseas refugee assistance programs,” she said.

David Cronin, senior policy and legislative specialist for Catholic Relief Services, said CRS’s advocacy efforts ensure that “taxpayer dollars are allocated to support humanitarian aid and address the root causes of migration.” This allows organizations like CRS to accompany people in vulnerable situations and give them tools and resources so they can thrive where they live and are not forced to leave their homes.

“I just hope that during this conversation, you keep in mind the people that are impacted by the policies,” he said. “They desperately need hope, resources and support.”

Before the final prayer, six experts shared different recommendations for people to engage in action, which included stressing the importance of Catholic education for migrants to be integrated into mainstream society and highlighted the resources their organizations provide.

Cheryl Aguilar, founding director of Hope Center for Wellness, which works with parents of migrant children who have been separated from their families, echoed their call to encourage others to create support groups, be good neighbors, understand the causes of migration and volunteer.

“Whether we are legal service providers, legal professionals, students or whoever we are in this room, there is always something we can do,” she said.

(Marietha Góngora V. writes for OSV News from Washington. Maria-Pia Negro Chin is Spanish editor for OSV News. Andrea Acosta is a reporter for El Pregonero, the Spanish language newspaper and website for Archdiocese of Washington.)

Youth

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Around the diocese during holy week/Easter

MERIDIAN – First graders at St Patrick School performed live stations. (Photo by Kasey Owen)
MAGEE – Children at St. Stephen parish receive instructions
before their Easter egg hunt. (Photo by Kirby J. Rivere)
YAZOO CITY – Children at St. Mary parish participated in an Easter egg hunt after Mass on Easter Sunday with Father Panneer Selvam. (Photo by Babs McMaster)
MADISON – St. Joe senior, Adriana Terrazas, a reporter for Bruin News Now, sets up to interview seminarian Joe Pearson, along with four seminarians Will Foggo, EJ Martin and Grayson Foley on Tuesday, March 26. All four seminarians were former St. Joe students. The Bruin News Now story was included in the Thursday, March 28, edition of the award-winning, student-produced weekly newscast. (Photos by Tereza Ma)
St. Joe seniors, Andrew Doherty and Adam Williams set up the camera for a special interview with Bishop Joseph Kopacz by Bruin News Now anchors, Emerson Erwin and Maddie-Claire Spence, on Tuesday, March 26 before the annual diocese Chrism Mass during Holy Week. The journalism students interviewed Bishop Kopacz and seminarians for an edition of their award-winning weekly newscast – Bruin News Now.

Around our schools

JACKSON – The Cardinal Men’s Club of St. Richard School is hosting their annual Flight to the Finish 5k and fun run on Saturday, April 20. Pictured (l-r) celebrating the upcoming event are Thea Saucier, Charliegh Luzardo, Townes Crews, Thomas Eastus, Elizabeth Elmore, Patrick Crews (Past President), Andrew Ueltschey (President), Thiel Crews, Elsie Ueltschey, Sam Williams, Max Jones and Thomas Ueltschey. (Photo by Celeste Saucier)
COLUMBUS – Annunciation fourth grader, Joel Heard prays during adoration. (Photo by Jacque Hince)
VICKSBURG – On Feb. 28, 2024, Fathers Nick Adam and Rusty Vincent offered a Spanish Mass at the St. Francis Xavier Chapel for the Spanish II class at St. Aloysius. The students read, responded and participated in Spanish. (Photo by Vivian L. Velazquez)
VICKSBURG – Davis Jarabica from the one-year-olds class, explores rosary beads and baby’s Bible from the Lobby Altar at Sisters of Mercy Early Learning Center. (Photo by Shannon Bell)
SOUTHAVEN – Students Nico and Aniyah enjoy the Holy Thursday Craft Retreat at Sacred Heart School. (Photo by Sister Margaret Sue Broker)

Life among the relics

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From the Archives
By Mary Woodward

JACKSON – I had a dear friend who moved to a retirement compound (as he called it) when he was in his late 80s. When I would ask him how things were going at the “compound,” he would say: “you mean life among the relics?”

Most people when they hear the term archive think of old stuff, and indeed there is a lot of old stuff in the historical archive vault at the chancery in Jackson. Our diocesan historical archive holds records and documents dating back to the early 1700s.

The above relic of St. Peter the Apostle was found in the diocesan archive relic collection and placed in the new main altar of the Cathedral of St. Peter the Apostle in Jackson in 2012.

Let me add a disclaimer here: The diocesan archive is not open to the public. It is a small room holding official records of the diocese. It is not a library or museum that can be toured. The archive does not exist to provide genealogical research or assist in getting dual Italian citizenship. We will help with that for a fee when we have time. The records in the archive are not “secret;” it just is not public in the way you would check out a book in a library. The archive collection is open to qualified researchers doing professional research on church history for dissertations and publications.

Last week, I received a familiar email from a parishioner on the Gulf Coast wanting to know the saint’s relic in the altar of his church. The church was dedicated in 1951, so it was before the date we were split into two dioceses.

This is a common request, and we often are able to provide an answer, because of the Official Acts books we have dating back to 1924 and the diaries of Bishops.

In this case, although I was able to tell him that Bishop Gerow dedicated the church on Palm Sunday, and it rained buckets all day; I could only give possibilities of who the relic might be since this fact was not mentioned in the official acts book’s recording of the church and altar being dedicated.

I was able to tell him the relic would most likely be from either Sts. Victor, Modesta, Maximus, Maxima or Sergius – all martyrs. The reason this information was available was because a few pages before the church’s dedication listing in the acts book, there is an entry stating the bishop consecrated a myriad of altar stones containing those relics.

These marble stones measure 13 inches squares and would have been used in mission churches established throughout the diocese to be placed in wooden altars that would have a square cut out of the top in which the stone would be placed. I don’t know why 13 inches, but maybe it is because the stones would have come from Italy and 17 is the unlucky number there, not 13.

In each stone there is a small cut out circle in which a relic or several relics would be sealed along with three grains of incense. As mentioned in the acts book, several stones could be consecrated at a time and stored until needed.

A unique altar stone and the linen cloth that encases it are displayed in Chancellor Mary Woodward’s office. The stone was issued to Father Peter Quinn in 1943 for use on the battlefields in Europe during World War II. (Photos by Mary Woodward)

Another reason for this hypothesis of who the saint might be is there is a relics drawer in the archive with an old container marked “relics for altars” and the names of the saints are listed on a piece of paper with the container. Therefore, whether the church had a full marble mensa or just a stone, these relics were set aside for that purpose. This container and its contents are very fragile, so we do not handle it anymore.

We do have a unique altar stone in our collection. It is small – five inches x seven inches – and encased in a linen cloth. This stone was issued to Rev. Peter Quinn in 1943 for use on the battlefields in Europe during World War II. Father Quinn was a chaplain in the army and served on the front lines in one of General George Patton’s divisions making its way to Germany. The stone came with a Greek corporal, which has a relic sewn into it. On a similar note, Bishop William Houck used a Greek corporal as part of his travelling Mass kit and on the small altar he had in a chapel in his home. We have that in the vault as well.

As you can see, we do have some interesting artifacts in our archive collection at the diocese. Perhaps one day we can develop an exhibition for people to see, but for now I’ll keep sharing some interesting snippets of life among the relics highlighting various discoveries in the drawers and cabinets in the vault.

(Mary Woodward is Chancellor and Archivist for the Diocese of Jackson.)

Bishop gives thanks for Pastoral Reimagining process

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By Joanna Puddister King
JACKSON – Bishop Joseph Kopacz gathered representatives from Deanery II for the third phase of the diocesan “Pastoral Reimagining” process on Monday, April 8 at St. Mary Basilica for a Mass of Thanksgiving for the process; as well as, time to meet to discuss challenges and the growing edges and diminishing areas of ministry locally within the deanery and within the diocese as a whole.

“This process is about how to we dig deeper; how to we strengthen who we are as local parishes and as a diocese,” said Bishop Kopacz.

“We can grow where it’s possible and we can be stronger.”

Bishop Kopacz also met with Deanery III at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Greenwood and Deanery I at St. Francis of Assisi parish in Madison earlier this month.

He invites those in deaneries that have yet to meet, to come participate in a special Mass of Thanksgiving.
The Masses are as follows: Deanery V in the Golden Triangle area on Monday April 22 at 12 p.m. at Immaculate Conception West Point; Deanery V on Monday, April 22 at 5 p.m. at St. James Tupelo; Deanery VI on Monday, April 29 at 6 p.m. at St. Therese Kosciusko; and Deanery IV on Tuesday, April 30 at 5 p.m. at St. Mary Batesville.

NATCHEZ – Bishop Joseph Kopacz continues listening across the diocese for the Pastoral Reimagining process that has been taking place since Pentecost 2023. On Monday, April 8, he met with stakeholders from parishes making up Deanery II at St. Mary Basilica. (Photo by Joanna Puddister King)

Building a lasting legacy: My Catholic Will

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GUEST COLUMN
By Rebecca Harris
For many Catholics, our faith is not just a belief system; it is a way of life. It permeates every aspect of our being, guiding our actions, decisions, and relationships. Central to our faith is the concept of stewardship – the understanding that all that we have and all that we are is entrusted to us by God to further His Kingdom on Earth. Stewardship encompasses giving our time, talent, and treasure to support our parishes and communities in our mission of spreading God’s love and teachings.

In our diocese, where Catholics make up only 3% of the population, the commitment to building God’s Kingdom is particularly pronounced. Despite being a minority, Catholics in our communities are deeply invested in making a positive impact. Our parish is not just a place of worship; it is a second home filled with people dedicated to doing God’s work. Together, we strive to live out our faith by serving others, fostering community, and supporting the church’s ministries.

While we readily give of our time, talent, and treasure through regular contributions and volunteer efforts, there is one aspect of giving that often goes overlooked: planned giving. Planned giving, simply put, is a way to make a larger contribution to our parish on a long-term basis. Unlike annual gifts, which are given in the present moment, planned gifts are scheduled for the future, typically as part of estate plans.

Planned gifts can take various forms, including bequests in wills, trusts, life insurance policies and other estate planning instruments. These gifts not only provide much-needed financial support to our parishes but also allow donors to establish a lasting legacy that will continue to impact future generations of Catholics. By including your parish in your estate plans, you ensure that the commitment to God’s work extends far beyond your lifetime.

The importance of planned giving cannot be overstated. These gifts not only provide vital financial resources for a parish’s ongoing operations and ministries but also offer a way for donors to leave a lasting impact on the community they cherish. Through planned giving, donors have the opportunity to support initiatives that are close to their hearts, whether it is funding youth programs, supporting outreach efforts, or contributing to the maintenance and upkeep of parish facilities.

Moreover, planned giving allows donors to fulfill their charitable and philanthropic wishes in a meaningful way. By designating a portion of your estate to your parish, donors ensure that our Catholic values and priorities are upheld even after we are no longer present. This sense of continuity and legacy is incredibly powerful, as it allows individuals to shape the future of their parish in accordance with their beliefs and principles.

A will is often the simplest and most straightforward way to establish a planned gift and leave a legacy to your parish. Through the Stewardship and Development Office, the diocese is offering a free will service to parishioners, making it easier than ever to take this important step. The Diocese of Jackson has partnered with My Catholic Will so that individuals can complete their wills in less than 20 minutes, ensuring that their wishes are clearly documented, and their legacy is preserved. This service is completely free to you.

Your legacy matters. By considering a planned gift, you have the opportunity to make a lasting impact on your parish and the wider Catholic community. Whether you are supporting initiatives that are dear to your heart or simply ensuring the continued growth and vitality of your parish, planned giving offers a meaningful way to leave a lasting legacy of faith, generosity and service.

Let us heed the call to action and embark on this journey of building a lasting legacy in Catholic parishes across the diocese. By incorporating your parish into your estate plans, you ensure that your commitment to God’s work extends far beyond your lifetime. Together, let us embrace the opportunity to leave a lasting legacy of faith, generosity, and service for generations to come.

To create your free legal Catholic will in three easy steps please go to www.mycatholicwill.com/jacksondiocese.org or scan the QR code. Rebecca Harris is available to address any questions or concerns you may have regarding planned giving.

“Blessed is the person who plants a tree so others may sit in its shade.”

Happy Ordination Anniversary

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April 10
Father Pradeep Kumar Thirumalareddy
St. Mary Batesville

April 12
Father Raju Macherla
St. Elizabeth Clarksdale

Father Sleeva Reddy Mekala
St. James Leland & Immaculate Conception Indianola

April 14
Father Suresh Reddy Thirumalareddy
St. Alphonsus McComb


April 18
Father Vijaya Manohar Reddy Thanugundla
St. Francis Brookhaven

April 19
Father Sebastian Myladiyil, SVD
Sacred Heart Greenville

April 24
Father Arokia Stanislaus Savio
St. Peter Grenada

April 26
Father Jesuraj Xavier
St. Francis New Albany

Thank you for answering the call!

‘Caitlin Clark has the world by her fingertips’: Iowa Hawkeyes basketball superstar supported by Catholic faith, family

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By John Knebels

(OSV News) – Wearing scrubs en route to the hospital to begin her day, a health care specialist was asked how much she knew about Caitlin Clark, the University of Iowa basketball superstar who has led her Hawkeye teammates — and by extension, all of “Hawkeye Nation” — to almost unprecedented acclaim in women’s basketball.

Not akin to assessing athletes and their acumen, she quickly and succinctly summarized Clark’s entrenchment in women’s basketball.

“That basketball that she dribbles and shoots and passes serves as a great metaphor for Caitlin Clark,” said the nurse. “The basketball is round, just like the world. And right now, Caitlin Clark has the world by her fingertips.”

Iowa Hawkeyes guard Caitlin Clark (22) controls the ball against Connecticut Huskies guard Nika Muhl (10) in the Final Four of the women’s 2024 NCAA Tournament at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland April 5, 2024. The Hawkeyes beat the Huskies to advance to the women’s NCAA tournament national championship game April 6 against undefeated South Carolina. Clark graduated in 2020 from Dowling Catholic High School in West Des Moines, Iowa. (OSV News photo/Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports via Reuters)

That Clark has managed to permeate both the zealous and casual sports fan provides a testament to the level of her national impact at the young age of 22.

At this point, it’s an arduous task to cover new ground when it comes to Clark, a lifelong and reportedly devoted Catholic who attended St. Francis of Assisi parochial school in West Des Moines, Iowa, from kindergarten through eighth grade, and then spent four years at nearby Dowling Catholic High School.

Local reporters from Clark’s hometown have been sharing her exploits since the end of grade school. Clark wasn’t even a high school junior before national publications began pegging her as a can’t-miss collegiate standout. By the time she was a senior, the words “Caitlin Clark” had soared through the internet like an out-of-control locomotive with no definitive destination.

Those who have known Clark, however, said they never noticed any apparent change in her affable, comfortable, confident personality when early daily publicity — and subsequent almost-ridiculous national coverage last year and, in particular, the past few months — threatened to scrutinize every move Clark made both on and off the basketball court.

“She’s handled it as well as any 21- or 22-year-old could,” said Kristin Meyer, her high school basketball coach at Dowling, who somehow manages to cheerfully return countless phone calls from those researching Clark’s star-studded scholastic career.

“Her support system starts with her family. She doesn’t get caught up in fame or the business aspect,” Meyer said. “She was like that in high school. She didn’t look to seek attention. She didn’t spend much time on social media. She’s grounded. Humble.”

When Clark played in grade school, Meyer immediately noticed a “different type” of player. Clark’s improvement quickly skyrocketed, rising to uncommon heights.

To communally celebrate their 2020 alumna, the Dowling Catholic student council rented out a local theater April 1 to watch Clark in the Elite Eight that night. They weren’t disappointed after she scored 41 points and threaded 12 assists in a 94-87 win over Louisiana State University that earned a trip to the Final Four.

“It’s incredible,” said Meyer. “It’s still surreal … the level of notoriety to women’s basketball. It’s not all about Caitlin Clark, of course, but she is a part of it. As terrific a player as she was in high school, I can’t say I expected this level of success.

“Her court vision. Her understanding. I haven’t seen a higher IQ,” Meyer continued. “She’s fun to watch. She’s so consistent. Scores 30 or 40 against great teams. It’s an art. She can make it look effortless.”

Like Meyer, one of Clark’s grade-school mentors at St. Francis — sixth-grade math and science teacher Jill Westholm — recalls Clark’s kind, easygoing disposition as a youngster and has witnessed her former pupil’s ability to remain stable despite unlimited attention from fans, media and even curious bystanders who can’t quite make sense of Caitlin-mania.

“It’s so crazy to me to see her in this superstar world,” Westholm told OSV News. “The same Caitlin you see today is the same Caitlin who walked the halls as a 10-, 12- and 14-year-old. She’s the Caitlin Clark who is very smart. Intelligent. Very driven. The Caitlin Clark who never gave less than her best. The Caitlin Clark who was and is very loyal to her friends. The Caitlin Clark who, even in middle school, had their backs.”

A few months ago, Westholm and a few friends decided to purchase tickets to the NCAA women’s Final Four April 5-6 in Cleveland.

Figuring — correctly, as it turned out — that ticket prices could become unreasonable as the event approached, Westholm and her buds figured they were in win-win mode. The “worst” possibility would be sitting back and watching four great programs vie for the right to compete in the NCAA final.

The best scenario, however, was obvious.

“We gambled on Caitlin being there,” said Westholm. “We crossed our fingers and said some prayers.”

The prayers were answered. On April 5, Iowa met the University of Connecticut on the court in the Final Four, and Clark led the Hawkeyes’ rally for a 71-69 win over the Huskies. Iowa headed to the NCAA championship April 7 against undefeated South Carolina. The Gamecocks beat Iowa 87-75 for the national championship and completed a perfect season.

In an interview days before the final, Westholm predicted that regardless of Iowa’s fate, Clark would either either emerge eternally grateful for becoming a national champion, or quickly bounce back from any disappointment and recognize that she had been blessed to even be on the precipice of something so unique.

“She will rely on her faith,” said Westholm. “Her faith has always been important to her, and that’s real. Her whole family lives out their faith. Caitlin doesn’t reach her stardom without her family background.”

Westholm was referring to Clark’s parents, Anne and Brent, and her two brothers, Blake and Colin. Along with her siblings, Anne graduated from Dowling Catholic and her father, Bob Nizzi, coached football there.

Before graduating from Dowling in 2019, Blake became and remains involved with a club called Ut Fidem, Latin for “keep the faith.” Having experienced a Kairos retreat as a junior, Caitlin joined Ut Fidem as a senior.

The group’s focus, according to Dowling’s website, “strives to develop high school students into intentional disciples who will keep the faith for the rest of their lives, and especially through college” and supports students via weekly small groups of five or six led by adult faith mentors.

Students learn how to “defend their Catholic faith, and develop deep, personal relationships with Jesus Christ . . . grow their devotion to personal prayer, the sacramental life, understanding of church teachings, and enter into the lifestyle of an on-fire Catholic” and better understand how to discern the question, “Why am I Catholic?”

Using some of the tools she learned in grade school and high school and benefiting from a close, faith-sharing family, Clark recently started the nonprofit Caitlin Clark Foundation — described as a mission to “uplift and improve the lives of youth and their communities through education, nutrition and sport.”

Last November, Caitlin partnered with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Iowa and, with help from Nike, personally donated close to 100 hoodies, winter gloves and hats to help keep youngsters warm this past winter. Along with a sizable personal monetary donation, she also donated 57 basketballs, 15 footballs, 12 soccer balls and 15 jump ropes to the Boys & Girls Club.

“She uses her gifts to give back,” said Meyer. “She’s not bigger than the game of basketball, but she knows she has the capacity to help other people and is enthusiastic about doing as much as she can.”

Although it’s been argued that it’s actually her eye-popping passing ability that has separated her from former and current greats, Clark’s ascent from a consistently great scorer to tallying the most points in the history of college basketball didn’t happen out of nowhere.

From the time Clark decided to attend Iowa, the nation’s top coaches held their breath and readied themselves for a steady dose of nightly wonderment and more-than-occasional ESPN highlights.

No coach watched Clark more intently than Muffet McGraw.

The legendary Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer at the University of Notre Dame who retired in 2020 after an incredible career that included 936 total victories, a .762 winning percentage, nine trips to the Final Four, seven finals and two NCAA championships came within a whisker of coaching Clark.

After a painstaking decision process, however, Clark changed her mind at the last minute and chose Iowa black and gold over Irish blue and gold. Clark has gone on record as describing the phone call to McGraw as excruciating and lauds the coach for how she handled the disappointment with gentleness, compassion and understanding.

Not a person who dishes out unwarranted praise, McGraw, Notre Dame’s women’s basketball coach for 33 years, effusively commended Clark for helping elevate women’s basketball to its highest popularity ever among both the young and old, as indicated by the more than 12 million viewers who tuned in to watch the Iowa-LSU classic.

“I’ve never seen anyone like her,” McGraw told OSV News. “She is a phenomenal offensive player. She has confidence that never wavers. She’s fearless, relentless, competitive, driven … all the things that you want in a basketball player.

“And she’s also unselfish. Yes, she takes a lot of shots, but she also led the nation in assists last year, and I’m sure she’s in the top five this year. So she’s somebody that really knows how to get her team involved. She gets them to play at a higher level. She just has that charisma and that leadership that allows the people around her to thrive.”

Superstars sometimes can’t help but alienate teammates when all of the attention surrounds one person. But that hasn’t happened at Iowa.

“There could be jealousy and there could be problems in a situation like that when you have a player like that on your team,” said McGraw. “She makes them rise above everything and focus on just wanting to win. That’s, I think, the thing that sets her apart. It’s not all about her.”

McGraw particularly appreciates Clark’s vision that surpasses well beyond points, assists, rebounds, and championships.

“She wants to do something for the women’s game,” said McGraw. “She is certainly the center of attention, yet she always takes time for others. You see her signing autographs for lines and lines of people. She just does a great job in the community and continues to do whatever she can for the fans. She says the right things in public.

“I think she is definitely somebody that is a role model in our sport, and she’s changed the game,” McGraw continued. “I mean, nobody has done what she’s done in terms of the sellouts. The Big Ten sold out every single place. It’s unbelievable … unbelievable.

“The Big Ten tournament sold out for the first time,” she said. “Tickets for the last game were going for, I don’t know, $500 or something. It’s been amazing. I mean, 12 million people watched the Iowa-LSU game. That’s even more than a lot of NBA Finals. So it’s just phenomenal what she’s done for the game.”

Wherever Clark plays as a professional, McGraw will be watching.

“She’s one in a million,” said McGraw. “I think she’s going to do great things for the WNBA next year.”

(John Knebels writes for OSV News from suburban Philadelphia.)