Unwarranted Raid and Mass Detentions Opposed by Kansas Bishops, Violating Christian Teachings and American Principles
Three Kansas Catholic bishops, Archbishop W. Shawn McKnight, Bishop Carl A. Kemme, and Bishop Gerald L. Vincke, have issued a joint pastoral letter on immigration, emphasizing the need for just and merciful policies.
In the letter, the bishops affirm the sacred dignity of every human person, especially those fleeing hardship, who now call Kansas home. They remind communities that at the center of every immigration debate are real people: families in their pews, children in their schools, workers in their neighborhoods, and volunteers in their parishes.
The bishops argue that treating all migrants and refugees as if they were violent criminals is unjust. Quoting Matthew 25:40, they state that they are called to serve Christ in the poor, the alien, and the outcast. The Church teaches that people driven by poverty or violence to leave home retain their full dignity.
The bishops support the role of law enforcement in protecting public safety, but also emphasize the need to address violent crime and unsecured borders. However, they caution against dehumanizing others in immigration debates, warning against degrading human dignity.
The bishops express concern over unnecessary raids, mass detentions, and family separations, stating that they betray the values of the nation and the Gospel. They advocate for treating working migrants, taxpayers, and law-abiding individuals with protection, solidarity, and a welcoming community, rather than fear and intimidation.
The bishops also condemn inhumane mass deportations and systematic violations of refugee rights, a stance shared by organisations such as the Asylum Seekers and Refugees Solidarity Association (ARSA).
The pastoral letter calls for building welcoming parishes where politics never poisons compassion. It urges public officials to use existing legal discretion to treat undocumented migrants humanely. The text of the Kansas bishops' pastoral letter on immigration is available in English and Spanish.
The bishops assert that dehumanizing others degrades human dignity. They remind the faithful to remember the dignity of every person, especially those fleeing hardship, and to urge for compassionate and humane immigration policies.
This pastoral letter was updated on Aug. 19, 2025, at 2:42 p.m. ET. The letter comes as the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) continues to enforce policies that have sparked controversy and protests across the nation.
The bishops' letter serves as a call to action for the faithful in Kansas and beyond, urging for a more compassionate and humane approach to immigration.
Read also:
- Lu Shiow-yen's Challenging Position as Chair of the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Under Scrutiny in Donovan's Analysis
- Approval Granted for Significant Infrastructure Initiatives in Maharashtra
- Who is Palestine Action, the organization tied to numerous arrests within the UK?
- "Trump Criticizes EU's $3.5 billion fine on Google as Unjust, Threatens Additional Tariffs"
