Category Archives: refugees

In a new video, Pope Francis urges compassion for refugees, people on the margins

Pope Francis holds a candle as he arrives to celebrate Mass marking the feast of the Presentation of the Lord in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Feb. 2.

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis called for greater compassion for refugees and marginalized people less than a week after President Trump ordered a temporary immigration ban from seven predominantly Muslim countries.

In a video of the pontiff’s prayer intentions for February, the Pope does not specifically refer to the president or his policies but emphasizes his concern about large numbers of people who he says are being marginalized and forgotten on the fringes of society.

(Excerpt from Religion News Service in the Catholic Post- read more.)

Fear of refugees is unworthy of American ideals

The longstanding crisis of Syrian refugees fleeing the excruciating violence that has consumed their country collided in the streets of Paris with the security crisis posed by Islamist terrorists. No, that’s not quite right. None of the terrorists was a refugee. Nearly all, if not all, were French or Belgian nationals and some second-generation immigrants from the Mideast. It was not in the world of facts, but in the world of fears, that the two crises collided.

Excerpt from National Catholic Reporter Editorial- read more

Don’t let fear paralyze humanity

After the Paris attacks, the president of France said his country will take in 30,000 more Syrian refugees. Our House voted 289-137 to effectively shut down the U.S. refugee program indefinitely.

I better not drive to the store, to church or to work.” After all, 29,000 Minnesotans a year are injured in car crashes.

“I better not let my child play at the playground.” After all, more than 200,000 U.S. children a year are injured at playgrounds.

This is a person paralyzed by fear.

Excerpt from Pia Lopez’s article in the SC Times- Read more.

We’re all human

The Middle East has had problems for what seems like an eternity now. Ever since I was born they’ve had problems that they, nor the world as a whole, can fix. The people there have to go everyday with the worry of “will I be killed today?”

European countries made room for immigrants when immigration from the Middle East first started to happen a few months ago, but then decided that they couldn’t take in any more people. There were, and still are thousands of people fleeing their home countries trying to get to safety, but they are being turned away from the golden land of opportunities that they gave up everything for.

How could these countries do this? From my perspective, I can see how overcrowding becomes a problem and there aren’t enough resources to go around. I understand that even these well established first world countries can’t care for a sudden rush of millions of additional people.

Excerpt from Emily Lorenz’s article in The Courier