Archdiocese of Los Angeles and other dioceses to urge immigration reform
September 6, 2013  |  By:   |  Press Releases  |  

Archbishop José Gomez will dedicate Sept. 8 Mass to voice support

 Archbishop José Gomez will devote his Sept. 8 homily to immigration, uniting with Catholic dioceses

across the country that will be holding events to stress the need for immigration reform.

The events are meant to highlight the urgency of the issue and to show Congress the broad support in the

Catholic community for immigration reform with a path to citizenship.

“Now is the time for Catholics to let their elected officials know that they support immigration reform,”

said Archbishop José Gomez, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on

Migration. “We are an immigrant Church and an immigrant nation. The Church has grown with the nation

and since the beginning has helped integrate immigrants into our culture and economy.”

Archbishop Gomez added, “Right now, our immigration system is broken. As a result, families are being

broken apart and millions of people, including children, are being hurt. We need immigration reform to

help our nation live up to its beautiful promise of equality and dignity for all people.”

Masses and events will be held in 22 states. Aside from Los Angeles, other cities holding Masses and

events the weekend of Sept. 8 include Brooklyn, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Green Bay

(Wisconsin), Tampa Bay (Florida), San Antonio (Texas), Cincinnati, St. Louis, Scranton (Pennsylvania),

Miami, Hartford (Connecticut), Kansas City (Missouri), Kansas City (Kansas), Raleigh (North Carolina),

Arlington (Virginia), Richmond (Virginia), Salt Lake City and Indianapolis.

Other events to be held nationwide during September and October include pilgrimages and educational

events, such as public forums. Materials highlighting church teaching on immigration reform will be

distributed in many dioceses. Bishops, diocesan officials and parish representatives also will be meeting

with their House members to convey the Catholic Church’s position on immigration reform. Additional

Masses and events will be announced as information becomes available.

A listing of scheduled events can be found at: www.justiceforimmigrants.org/documents/September-October-2013-Events.pdf

General information on the Catholic Church’s position on immigration can be found at: www.justiceforimmigrants.org 

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