Bishop Mark J. Seitz Archives

Asylum at the border is ‘effectively over,’ El Paso bishop says

Jun 27, 2020

After visiting a group of pregnant migrant women on the Mexico side of the border, Bishop Mark J. Seitz of El Paso, Texas, issued strong words June 25 about the Trump administration’s “Remain in Mexico” program and other restrictive immigration measures, saying that turning away those seeking asylum in the U.S. amounts to sending them to their death.

By Rhina Guidos

After ‘taking a knee,’ border bishop gets a call from the pope

Jun 4, 2020

Bishop Mark J. Seitz of El Paso, Texas, became the first Catholic bishop to take a knee in solidarity with African Americans. He was surrounded by priests from his diocese who also kneeled with him and holding a “Black Lives Matter” sign.

By Rhina Guidos

From behind the camera lens, bishops adapt to ‘virtual’ dioceses

May 11, 2020

In mid-March, bishops worldwide were forced to change the way they operated their dioceses practically overnight as civil authorities put in place restrictions to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

By Rhina Guidos

Online world gives El Paso flock a closer glimpse of bishop’s personality

May 9, 2020

El Paso Bishop Mark Seitz has been making coronavirus videos which show his quirky sense of humor that may not have always come across when those in the pews.

By Rhina Guidos

El Paso bishop calls for release of nonviolent migrants in detention

Apr 8, 2020

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to grow in the U.S. faster than anywhere else in the world, the Catholic bishop of El Paso, Texas, is asking local authorities to release nonviolent migrants at his local U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities.

By Rhina Guidos

Pandemic, border crackdown hamper Catholics’ aid to migrants

Apr 6, 2020

For years, Catholic-led, U.S.-based nonprofits have been at the forefront of efforts to support migrants and asylum seekers along the Mexican border. Tough new border policies, coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic, have drastically changed their work, much of which now takes place in Mexico.

By David Crary