Stewards welcome the stranger

By Fr. Bill Ribbens, O.Praem.

	Stewardship Stewardship: A Way of Life is the diocesan thrust. It invites Catholics to acknowledge that all of life is a gift of God and to respond through prayer, service and sharing. This series will look at ways to do that.

"Lord, when did we see you naked or hungry, thirsty, a stranger, in prison or ill ..." (Mt 25:37).

On Nov. 15, 2000, the Bishops of the United States released a statement titled, "Welcoming the Stranger Among Us - Unity in Diversity." Their statement, a call to communion with each other, went out, not only to all members of the church, but to the whole country, that we prepare ourselves to receive all newcomers with a genuine spirit of welcome.

A simple, grace-filled kindness and concern on the part of all parishioners to newcomers is the first step to unity and communion.

While the Bishops' statement speaks of refugees, migrants and immigrants from other lands, it is important to note that as we change jobs and move about the country, we too become migrants in our own land and strangers in new communities. We too need to be welcomed and brought into our new community.

In their statement, the Bishops remind us of every person's fundamental and human right to migrate, even across borders, in order to survive, to find work and to support their families. The reasons for migration are many - war, political persecution, famine and economic depression are just a few. Whatever the reason for migration, we are reminded, as Jesus' disciples, to care for "the widow, the orphan and the stranger in our midst."

This six-year-old document is even more relevant today than it was in November of 2000. The call for our discipleship with Jesus - and his way of life - means that we treat all immigrants, refugees and migrants with the same respect, dignity and love with which Jesus responded to the people he encountered.

Jesus never asked, "Where are you from or what work do you do?" He accepted them as they were with great respect and kindness as he dealt with their needs.

The bishops do not condone undocumented immigration. They do, however, remind us of our need to support and protect the human rights of all immigrants, refugees and migrants no matter how they entered our country. They have the right to receive the food, clothing and shelter they need as well as the right to pastoral care, education and the social services necessary for their survival, and to live in conditions worthy of human life.

In their statement, the bishops have committed themselves and also called on all dioceses in the United States to continue the work of advocacy for laws that respect the human dignity and human rights of immigrants and always to preserve the unity of their families. They ask us to advocate for the reform of all legislation that undermines basic human rights of immigrants, and legalization opportunities, especially for immigrants who have built equities and contributed to their communities.

One result of the bishops' call to action was that several dioceses asked all of their parishes to formulate a plan by which they would implement the goals put forth in the Bishops' statement. With the present discussion around immigration issues, the Bishops call on parishioners and pastors to become informed regarding the issues of immigration and to become active disciples of Jesus on behalf of refugees, migrants and immigrants and their needs. This call from the Bishops is surely relevant to today's Gospel living.

The Bishops' statement is at www.usccb.org/mrs/unity.shtml.

(Fr. Ribbens is a member of St. Norbert Abbey, De Pere, and a Hispanic Outreach volunteer for Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Green Bay.)