SAN DIEGO — “We understand that God created all of us. We are all children of our God. When misery, fear and terror are unleashed upon the land, we cannot stay silent,” said Cardinal Robert W. McElroy.
He led the local Catholic Church in standing with immigrants and speaking out against Trump Administration orders to massively deport undocumented men and women.
The cardinal joined leaders of other faiths at an afternoon prayer service on Feb. 9 at St. Joseph Cathedral, where the faithful jammed every one of the 900 seats and overflowed onto Third Avenue. The event was titled “The Church Stands with Immigrants,” which was co-sponsored by the San Diego Organizing Project.
Afterward, the faithful, estimated to have swelled to 1,500, walked to the federal building in a procession led by altar servers, deacons and priests. They carried signs in English and Spanish with references to Scripture, such as “I was a stranger, and you gave me shelter” (Matt 25:35) and “I am my brother’s keeper” (Gen 4:9).
The Church’s teaching calls on the faithful to uphold the sacredness of human life. This means that the care of immigrants and refugees is part of the same teaching that calls on them to protect the most vulnerable, especially unborn children, the elderly and the infirm.
Nationwide, the Catholic Church has called the new executive orders a violation of the rights of undocumented immigrants and “contrary to moral law.” In statements, the U.S. bishops noted that Catholic teaching says that the country has a right to protect its borders and regulate immigration.
“But what we are witnessing is far different than that,” Cardinal McElroy said in his remarks. “It is not a targeted effort to secure the border. It has become an indiscriminate campaign to bring fear into the hearts of every undocumented person – man, woman, mother, and child – in our society; those who are our coworkers, those who are our neighbors, those who worship with us, those who have lived here for so long, helping to build up our society.”
He urged the faithful to “speak up and proclaim that this unfolding misery and suffering, and yes, war of fear and terror, cannot be tolerated. We must speak up and say, ‘Go no farther.’”
The issue of immigration is deeply personal for the local community.
The Diocese of San Diego runs along the entire length of the border of California with Mexico. Around two-thirds of the nearly 1.4 million Catholics in the diocese are Hispanic, a significant number of whom are immigrants. The region also is home to migrants from the Philippines, Vietnam and other countries. Clergy and religious women from many nations serve in parishes, schools, hospitals and detention centers.
Auxiliary Bishop Ramón Bejarano noted that he himself was an immigrant from Mexico. He said those being targeted were not anonymous people but rather live in local neighborhoods, work at local businesses, and are “part of our families.”
“Unfortunately, because many of them continue to live in the shadows, all the good that they do is not always visible or recognized,” he said at the cathedral.
The Trump Administration continues to falsely claim that immigrants are responsible for crime going up. In fact, the crime rate is generally down nationwide, with some exceptions. And study after study shows that immigrants, both those legally in the country and those who are undocumented, commit crimes at lower rates than U.S. citizens.
Catholic Charities’ mission is to help the most vulnerable, including immigrants, refugees and those applying for asylum, all legally in the country. Its CEO, Vino Pajanor, spoke at the prayer service about the proactive initiatives the agency is taking to support the migrant community.
The agency launched a comprehensive website in English and Spanish, emergencysafetyplan.org and plandeemergencia.org. The site provides essential information and resources, including a section about the rights immigrants have in the U.S., regardless of their status; and how families can prepare for a potential detention.
The agency’s representatives are distributing business-sized cards with a QR Code at parishes linking to the site. And it also is organizing virtual workshops at parishes and Catholic schools across the diocese to provide vital information to migrants.
“Our efforts are driven by a deep sense of compassion and commitment to social justice,” Pajanor said. “We believe that every person, regardless of their background or circumstance deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.”
Several individuals, including three young adults, shared their testimonies in Spanish and English at the event, at times struggling to hold back the tears.
One who spoke was identified only as Citlally, from Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Barrio Logan.
She began her remarks at the cathedral by referring to a passage from Scripture: “The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt” (Lev 19:33-34).
Growing up the daughter of immigrant parents, she witnessed the sacrifices they made to build a life in a new country.
“They came here with only their faith in God. They left behind their hopes and dreams so my siblings and I could have a better life.”
She witnessed her parents face difficult situations they did not fully understand.
“I realized their life was a testimony of faith, perseverance and love.”
She said that their prayers formed her and that, now, as the daughter of immigrants, she prays for others.
“I pray for immigrant families, for those separated from their loved ones, for those who feel invisible. I pray that our nation’s leaders see immigrants not as numbers, as intruders, but rather as human beings. Each immigrant is created in the image of God.
“As believers in Christ, we should support one another, reflecting God’s boundless love. Human decency knows no borders.”
Churches have always opened their doors to migrants, she continued.
“ICE should not enter sacred spaces,” referring to an order from the Trump Administration that lifted a policy prohibiting immigration agents from entering places of worship, schools and hospitals.
She concluded simply: “My story is one of faith.”
Leaders from other Christian faiths also addressed the immigration crisis and walked in the procession to the federal building. They included Bishop Susan Brown Snook, from the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego, who spoke at the cathedral, and Revs. Kristen Kuriga and Justine Sullivan, from the First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego, who spoke at the vigil. Other faith leaders also joined the procession, walking alongside Catholic deacons, priests, and religious brothers and sisters.
Along the way, those participating expressed why they had turned out.
“First, I’m here because of my faith. We are not alone,” said Sonia Ocampo, a native of the Mexican state of Nayarit who has lived in the U.S. for 35 years. “There are people who are afraid, but I prefer to have hope over fear.”
Seventeen-year-old Fernando said he was participating because of his mother, who is undocumented.
“I’m afraid for my mother,” said the teen, a U.S. citizen. “Undocumented immigrants are not criminals. I’m here to show that. I only see hate for those without papers. I feel sad.”
Christian Ramírez, a long-time community activist and member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Barrio Logan, said it was imperative to accompany immigrants at such a difficult time.
“In our country, it’s very important not to abandon something so basic as respect for our neighbors. I believe this event organized by the Catholic Church in our community is a call to reflection and to not lose our values.”
A 10-year-old boy, who said he belonged to Holy Family Parish in Linda Vista, expressed a simple wish.
“I want to ask (President) Trump to stop bringing agents over here, to cancel everything. They can take my mom and dad.”
At the federal building, Auxiliary Bishop Bejarano addressed the participants as faith leaders stood behind him.
Hoisting an American flag, he thanked the United States for welcoming immigrants, who he said had contributed so much to their adoptive country. He acknowledged that at certain points, however, the nation had rejected migrants.
“You’re better than that,” he said.
At the end of the vigil, the men, women, children, faith leaders and politicians raised their hands, bowed their heads, and prayed together, guided by Bishop Bejarano. First, he sent a blessing to all levels of government. And he asked God “to help them govern with a heart that seeks true justice, the common good, the wellbeing of families, and to build peace in our midst and in our country … We ask God to help all those who enforce immigration laws to see the innocent, the suffering, and the dignity of every human person they encounter.”
