El Paso 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

Catholic priest performs Last Rites amid COVID-19

Jun 14, 2020

EL PASO, Texas — Father Michael Lewis peered through the glass walls of the ICU, clutching his prayer book. “It’s COVID-19,” said the nurse on duty at University Medical Center. “You really shouldn’t go in there.” He paused. It was the early days of the pandemic that has robbed the

By Lauren Villagran, EL Paso Times

Pope Francis sends rosaries for mass shooting victims in El Paso

Feb 5, 2020

During a January visit with Vatican officials to report on the status of his diocese, Bishop Mark J. Seitz of El Paso, Texas, mentioned to Pope Francis the tragic events that took place at home Aug. 3, 2019.

By Rhina Guidos

Trump’s ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy expanded now to include Brazilians

Feb 4, 2020

By requiring Brazilians seeking asylum in the United States to stay in Mexico while their immigration cases are reviewed is an unacceptable expansion of the Trump administration’s already “indefensible program,” said a Catholic bishop who heads a Texas border diocese.

By Catholic News Service

Immigration advocates take part in teach-in event at U.S.-Mexico border

Oct 17, 2019

Catholic Latino organizers, labor leaders, scholars and activists took part in a social justice event that was a combination teach-in and demand for action Oct. 11-13 in El Paso.

By Catholic News Service

For bishop with Mexican roots, El Paso’s assault hit close to home

Oct 2, 2019

For Bishop Oscar Cantu of San Jose, California, the early August assault by a gunman who opened fire on El Pasoans and others doing weekend shopping at a Walmart in the border city this summer struck particularly deep.

By Rhina Guidos