immigrants and refugees Archives

Myanmar cardinal says there is no “ethnic cleansing” of Rohingya minority
- Global Church
- June 23, 2017
A UN report in February described the situation of the Rohingya community in Rakhine State a possible “genocide” and described a set of “crimes against humanity” in Myanmar, noting the Rohingyas are in effect stateless, and facing a “campaign of terror.” Cardinal Charles Bo now says there is no “ethnic cleansing” taking place however.
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USCCB officials urge Homeland Security to defer deportation of Chaldeans
- Catholic News Service, Church in the US
- June 22, 2017
Recent negotiations between the U.S. and Iraq have led to the deportation of more than 100 Chaldean Christians who were residing in the country, leading the Catholic bishops to write a letter to the Secretary of Homeland Security urging him to halt the arrests.
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Bishop says world must move past indifference to solidarity with refugees
- Catholic News Service, Church in the US
- June 22, 2017
Speaking at the National Press Club, Auxiliary Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville of Washington advocated for the rights of immigrants and refugees and stressed the importance of recognizing that they are not different or faceless but “made in the image of God.”
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Vatican deploys $500,000 for ‘Pope for South Sudan’ initiative

After cancelling his October trip to South Sudan, Pope Francis remains close to the country plagued by famine and a decade long civil war by donating nearly $500,000 to be used in education, health and agriculture projects in collaboration with religious and lay organizations operating in the territory.

Chaldeans protest ICE detentions outside federal building in Detroit

Members of the Chaldean Christian community gathered to protest against federal agents’ round-up of more than 100 Iraqi Christian immigrants in light of recent negotiations between the U.S. and Iraq. The organizers told local media outlets that despite their past crimes, those who were deported are active members of the community.

Migrants: Pope’s man in Italian Bishops’ Conference wrestles with political right, left

The Secretary General of the Italian Bishops’ Conference, Monsignor Nunzio Galantino, received backlash from the country’s far right and left political parties over a new law that would grant immigrant minors and children born in Italy a chance at legal citizenship.