Separation of migrant families targeted by bi-national groups
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Priests of parishes along both sides of the Mexico-Arizona border join Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas in celebration of Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Nogales, Sonora, during a bi-national conference on immigration issues.
A three-day bi-national meeting in Ambos Nogales to discuss ways to relieve the plight of migrants resulted in an agreement to focus specifically on the issue of separation of family members.
The two organizations involved, Manos Unidas and Dioceses Without Borders, will collaborate on ways to help migrants who are separated from their wives, husbands and children and to work for their reunification.
Manos Unidas is a farmworker project in Ambos San Luis and Yuma. Dioceses Without Borders involves representatives of the Dioceses of Tucson, Hermosillo and Phoenix and is comprised of project teams working in Douglas, Agua Prieta, Ambos Naco and Ambos Nogales.
Bishop Gerald F. Kicanas joined Archbishop Ulysses Macias Salcedo of Hermosillo and about a dozen priests and many lay workers during the conference, where many topics related to immigration were addressed.
Archbishop Salcedo spoke about a document prepared by Mexico’s bishops regarding the dignity of all Mexicans.
Bishop Kicanas urged the attendees to “look for concrete ways to break down the divisions and walls” that separate various factions so that “we see each other as brother and sister.” He called for a “compassionate presence…to see the person behind the stereotype.”
He said “from this gathering I hope that we can reach across the divide and find ways to respond to the plight of immigrants…to break down prejudices in some way.
“All life issues are related,” he said. “We need to teach the Church position on the dignity of human life. We must find little ways that make a difference.”
Bishop Kicanas presided at a Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Nogales, Sonora.
Titled “Sharing Life and Dignity in Christ our Peace,” the conference was intended to strengthen the solidarity of “One Church” all along the international border.