NATIONAL MIGRATION WEEK TO FOCUS ON `WELCOMING CHRIST IN THE
MIGRANT'
http://www.usccb.org/comm/archives/2007/07-003.shtml

WASHINGTON (January 4, 2007)---As the political debate over
immigration reform and border security heightens around the country,
the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) will highlight the
need for solidarity with migrants, immigrants, refugees, human
trafficking victims and other displaced individuals during National
Migration Week, Jan. 7-13.

The theme for this year's migration week is Welcoming Christ in the
Migrant, which marks the 26th year of the annual observance.

"Our nation's legitimate security concerns have been distorted by
some who would foment anxiety, fear, and a distrust of migrants,"
said Bishop Gerald R. Barnes, chairman of the USCCB Migration
Committee. "The present immigration reform debate has lost much of
its reason and is often being fueled by raw emotions. The Scriptures
and Catholic Social Teaching call upon all of us to examine the
issues and respond to the strangers among us as we would to Jesus
Himself. The Holy Family found safety and new lives in Egypt during
their time of great need. Many migrants today follow similar paths
as they embark on their journey of hope."

A wide variety of resources for parishes, schools, and service
providers are available on the USCCB/MRS National Migration Week web
site at www.usccb.org/mrs/nmw.shtml. Bishop Barnes also encouraged
citizens to participate in the bishops' immigration reform
initiative, Justice for Immigrants: A Journey of Hope. Information
about this campaign can be found at www.justiceforimmigrants.org.

Five principles for migration from Catholic Social Teaching are
foundational to the message of National Migration Week: 1) Persons
have the right to find opportunities in their homeland. 2) Persons
have the right to migrate to support themselves and their families.
3) Sovereign nations have the right to control their borders. 4)
Refugees and asylum seekers should be afforded protection. 5) The
human dignity and human rights of undocumented migrants should be
respected.

"When we reach out to aid and comfort the newcomers to our land we
are indeed offering ourselves and our gifts in service to the Lord,"
Bishop Barnes added. "This is not only our Christian duty but a
privilege, knowing that we too have been adopted into God's family."

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"SAN ROMERO" YAHOO! DISCUSSION GROUP
EXPLANATION OF RELEVANCE OF NEWS ARTICLE

ARTICLE: National Migration Week to Focus on `Welcoming Christ in
the Migrant'

PUBLICATION: U.S. Bishops' Press Release

DATE: January 4, 2007

SUMMARY: The U.S. Catholic bishops are calling on American Catholics
to reflect on the Church's official policy on immigration and, most
of all, to extend a welcome hand to those arriving on U.S. shores.

RELEVANCE: The article goes to the heart of a major theme for
reflection in this group: the obligation of conscience.
Specifically, Catholic Social Teaching calls for orthodoxy (right
thought) to manifest itself as orthopraxy (right action).

ROMERO CONNECTION: Archbishop Romero, too, called for Catholic
Social Teaching to translate into specific action in the political
arena, which was misinterpreted as simply politicking by Romero.