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IMMIGRATION REFORM FOCUS OF DIOCESE
The Catholic Migration Office of the Diocese of Brooklyn has joined a national campaign calling for comprehensive immigration reform and will launch an educational program at meetings to be held at St. Patrick’s Auditorium, 95th St. and Fourth Ave., Fort Hamilton, Monday, Oct. 3.
A morning session, beginning at 9:30, will provide information on the campaign for representatives of non-profit agencies, community organizations and others who work with and provide services to immigrants.
At 2:30 p.m., the information session will be offered to clergy and Religious of the Diocese who minister to the vast immigrant population of Brooklyn and Queens on a daily basis.
The diocesan effort is part of the multiyear “Justice for Immigrants: A Journey of Hope” campaign launched in May by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, designed to educate Americans, especially Catholics, about the need for comprehensive immigration reform.
Four goals of the campaign are to:
---Educate people about the benefits of immigration and immigrants to the nation.
---Strengthen public opinion about the positive contributions of immigrants.
---Advocate for just immigration laws that promote legal status and other protections for immigrant workers and their families.
---Organize legal networks to assist immigrants to access the benefits of any reforms in immigration law.
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of Brooklyn said the U.S. bishops “are united in the view that the present situation is unacceptable, and that comprehensive immigration reform is needed.”
The Catholic Migration Office is seeking to identify and coordinate with local agencies, offices and organizations already doing community work in parishes, neighborhoods and diverse immigrant communities, said Msgr. Ronald T. Marino, director of the office.
“It’s time for the Church and others of good will to speak up about these issues with a united, clear and sensible call for much-needed immigration reform,” he said.
“The Church, in this regard, has a responsibility and mandate by the Gospel to be a voice for the voiceless,” he added.
“Immigrants have become the scapegoat for national security, while most of them are here legally and are hard-working and industrious people,” he said.
Further information on the campaign is available from the Catholic Migration Office: (718) 236-3000.
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