A sculpture called “Angels Unawares” is seen at The Catholic University of America in Washington Sept. 27, 2020. The life-size sculpture, which depicts a group of migrants and refugees crowded on a boat, is a replica of the original one Pope Francis unveiled in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican during the 2019 World Day of Migrants and Refugees. CNS PHOTO/TYLER ORSBURN
Who is our neighbor?
“The family of Nazareth in exile, Jesus, Mary and Joseph, emigrants in Egypt and refugees there to escape the wrath of an ungodly king, are the model, the example and the consolation of emigrants and pilgrims of every age and country, of all refugees of every condition who, beset by persecution or necessity, are forced to leave their homeland, beloved family and dear friends for foreign lands.”
One might assume that the above quote is one from Pope Francis addressing the plight of tens of millions of refugees and migrants on the move in our current century. But this quote is from Pope Pius XII in his Apostolic Constitution, “Exsul Familia,” of August 1, 1952. The year 1952 was but seven years after the end of World War II and still there were refugees wandering the world in the aftermath of that war. This era may have seen the vastest dislocation of peoples in the history of the world. It has been said that our day, this third decade of the 21st century, may be seeing the second largest such dislocation.
The quote from Pope Pius XII was included in a recent pastoral letter from Pope Francis addressed to the bishops of the United States. Since the beginning of Pope Francis’ now twelve-year papacy he has recognized the urgency of calling the worldwide Church and societies to recognize the crisis around the globe of peoples fleeing war, persecution, and crushing poverty. Though his concern extends around the globe he has been particular in challenging the stable nations of Europe to open their borders and their hearts to refugees from Ukraine, the Middle East, and Africa.
In addressing his particular concern to American bishops, the Holy Father observes a “major crisis” with the initiation of a program of mass deportations.
I know that there has been a chorus of protests from around our country and from American Catholics that the pope should not be criticizing the United States. His concern for the plight of migrants and refugees well predates our current political upheaval. As I noted, Pope Francis has been continuously addressing the nations of Europe.
As for a country’s legitimate right to secure its borders and to provide security for its people, the pope writes, “One must recognize the right of a nation to defend itself and keep communities safe from those who have committed violent or serious crimes while in the country or prior to arrival.”
These issues are fraught with high emotion, and we tend too readily to join sides and question the motives of any with whom we disagree. Sadly, there are even those who quickly strike the chord of racism to incite people.
Who are refugees and migrants? Refugees are peoples who have been vetted and in many cases waited years and years to legitimately enter the U.S. Our own Catholic Charities had been approved to receive and resettle one hundred refuges in western Kentucky this year – but all that has been placed on hold for the time being.
In recent years many more have come to our country as migrants and very often did not enter the country legally, or, have stayed beyond their legal permission. But Pope Francis challenges the American bishops to lead our people to recognize that many of them “have left their own land for reasons of extreme poverty, insecurity, exploitation, persecution or serious deterioration of the environment.”
Immigration is not an unfixable problem, but our broken politics always seem to avoid genuine solutions. The Holy Father notes the challenge of tens of millions of refugees and migrants in the world today demands that nations work together. He calls for us, as Christians, to ground our discussion and remedies by affirming the infinite dignity of all people – all created in the image and likeness of God.
The framework for our consideration is the parable of the Good Samaritan found in the tenth chapter of the Gospel of Luke. It presents a very high ideal. The Samaritan had no legal obligation to the man who had been robbed and beaten. He could have “passed by the other side” as did the priest and the Levite. But the parable says that the Samaritan was moved with compassion when he saw him.
Jesus told this parable in answer to the question, “Who is my neighbor?” After relating the tale Jesus asked, “Which of these proved himself a neighbor to the man?”
That question is one for each of us and for our nation, “Who is our neighbor?”
Most Reverend William F. Medley
Diocese of Owensboro
Originally printed in the March 2025 issue of The Western Kentucky Catholic.
