Faithful Walk Across the Border to Speak on Human Dignity
A group of more than one hundred Catholic leaders and followers departed from Nogales, Arizona, on a warm June evening to cross into the neighboring Mexican town of Sonora. The journey was timed with the United States’ 250‑year celebration and served as a public plea for kinder treatment of migrants.
The Procession Begins
- Mass at Sacred Heart Church: Overlooking the border fence, Bishop James Misko preached that unity and compassion are central to their faith.
- Rosary Recitation: After the service, clergy and parishioners walked side by side, reciting the rosary as they crossed into Mexico.
The Heat and Solidarity
The heat was intense, reaching 96 °F.
Sister Eileen McKenzie, a Franciscan nun working with migrants in both Nogales cities, described the march as a moment of solidarity that highlighted how many people still cross the desert in extreme conditions. She noted increasing desperation and distance from safety.
Critique of U.S. Migration Policies
Catholic leaders across the United States have long criticized policies that they say create fear and suffering for migrants:
- Mass deportations
- Harsh detention conditions
- Raids
Recent Supreme Court rulings have allowed the government to deny asylum seekers entry and remove deportation protections for Haitian and Syrian immigrants.
Statement from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
In November, the conference issued a statement expressing sorrow over how immigrants are portrayed and concern about detention centers lacking pastoral care. Bishop Mark Seitz of the El Paso Diocese reported that at a nearby detention center, chaplains are often barred from meeting detainees. He explained that most of those held there are not elderly or ill, yet many suffer and die due to inadequate support.
Reception at the Border
The bishops’ march was greeted by federal officials who waved them across the border into Mexico. The group continued praying while following a banner of the Virgin of Guadalupe. Local residents smiled as the procession passed, and they were welcomed at the Church of the Immaculate Conception by the Nogales bishop.
Broader Catholic Efforts
Dylan Corbett, director of the HOPE Border Institute and a Vatican advocate for migrant rights, said that this Mass was part of a global effort by Catholics to:
- Provide humanitarian aid
- Rebuild lives after deportation
- Push for more humane policies
He highlighted the Church’s presence in Central America, Venezuela, and Haiti as evidence of its ongoing support.
Upcoming Papal Mass
On July 4, the Pope will celebrate Mass in Lampedusa, an Italian island that has seen hundreds of thousands of migrants arrive over the years. The event will honor those fleeing war and poverty in Africa and the Middle East.
