Chicago's archbishop says Catholics must welcome immigrants
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The People's Mass held near Naval Station Great Lakes. Photo: Courtesy of the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership
Chicago's Catholic Church leader thinks today's parishioners are "politically homeless" because of their views on politically charged topics like immigration and abortion.
The big picture: The increased presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol officers in the Chicago area has made some immigrants fear that work, school and even church are no longer safe.
- "We have noticed some reduced participation in parish activities from immigrant families, which is understandable given the current climate of fear and uncertainty they are facing," Archdiocese spokesperson Susan Thomas told Axios.
Driving the news: Sen. Dick Durbin (IL-D), a Catholic, announced this week he would not accept the church's Keep Hope Alive award after receiving backlash over his reproductive rights beliefs that are in conflict with Catholic teachings.
Reality check: Durbin was receiving the award for his work on immigration policy, including first introducing the Dream Act in 2001, which offered undocumented immigrants who grew up in the U.S. a path to citizenship.
What they're saying: Chicago Archbishop Cardinal Blase Cupich responded to Durbin's decision by pointing to the hypocrisy of some Catholics and political parties to defend the unborn but not immigrants and migrants — or vice versa.
- "My hope was that our Keep Hope Alive celebration would serve as an invitation to Catholics who fiercely defend the vulnerable on the border between the United States and Mexico to ponder why the Church defends the vulnerable on the border between life and death, as in cases of abortion and euthanasia."
- "Likewise, it could be an invitation to Catholics who tirelessly promote the dignity of the unborn, the elderly, and the sick to extend the circle of protection to immigrants facing in this present moment an existential threat to their lives and the lives of their families," Cupich said in a statement.
Zoom out: Cupich's statement matched the words of Pope Leo XIV — "Chicago's Pope" — who told reporters outside Rome: "Someone who says that, 'I am against abortion but I am in agreement with the inhuman treatment of immigrants who are in the United States,' I don't know if that's pro-life. So they're very complex issues," when asked about Durbin and the award.
State of play: During Mass at Holy Name Cathedral on Sunday, which was the culmination of National Migration Week, Bishop Lawrence Sullivan reminded Catholics of their duty to welcome immigrants and migrants.
- A group known as the Coalition for Spiritual & Public Leadership (CSPL) took that duty further by protesting and hosting a public Mass outside Naval Station Great Lakes (NSGL), which is being used as a staging area for federal law enforcement.
- "Jesus' teachings repeatedly emphasize the importance of showing mercy, compassion, working for justice for those who are oppressed and marginalized and detained … and unfortunately, there are many, many, many Christians in this country who've somehow forgotten all of this," CSPL executive director Michael Okinczyc-Cruz tells Axios.
- Bishop Tim O'Malley, a priest in Waukegan, near the naval base, told the Tribune he writes letters to support community members seeking residency or citizenship.
Friction point: Shortly before Holy Name's Mass, Border Patrol agents were patrolling a few blocks away, causing an impromptu protest.
- Three protesters with the group Refuse Fascism handed out flyers in front of Holy Name and told Axios they wanted Cupich to do more to help immigrants, but they wouldn't provide their names.
- The group did not respond to follow-up questions about what exactly they'd like to see from the church.
Go deeper: Catholic immigrant services