AMERICA/UNITED STATES - National Migration Week 6 to 12 January: “If we fail to minister to the needs of these newcomers, we fail our Lord himself”

Washington (Agenzia Fides) - “From many, one family of God” is the theme of 27th National Migration Week organised by Committee on Migration of the United States Catholic Bishops' Conference.
In a letter for the occasion the newly elected president of the Committee on Migration Bishop John C. Wester, said “ though we come from many cultures and places, we are all part of one human family and members of the one Body of Christ. Sadly, rather than embracing newcomers to our land whose circumstances have compelled them to seek new lives among us, we too often respond in fear and harbor attitudes of resentment and suspicion”.
“If we fail to minister to the needs of these newcomers, we fail our Lord himself” but "When we set aside our concerns and share our resources, God's blessings extend to all of us ”. said Bishop Wester.
When the United States congress failed to approve reforms to migration policies the Catholic Bishops raised a prophetic voice calling all men and women of good will to “open your arms with love to our brother and sister migrants. We must strive to understand their reasons, to understand why they leave behind their loved ones to face an uncertain future, we must to know the truth about how they contribute to the prosperity of our society, we must work to reform of migration policies which often cause separation of families and conflicts in communities”.
Initiatives organised by Migration and Refugee Services include a Prayer for Migrants and Refugees, a parish bulletin to explain the purpose of the Week, a bilingual poster and a calendar with a daily theme for reflection during the week, a passage of Scripture and suggestions for concrete action. (RG) (Agenzia Fides 7/1/2008; righe 26, parole 358)