US Bishops follow in Pope Francis’ footsteps with Mission for Migrants

(Vatican Radio/USCCB) Led by Cardinal Seán O’Malley of Boston, a group of US bishops celebrated Mass on the Mexican border Tuesday in remembrance of migrants who have died attempting to reach the United States. Emer McCarthy reports listen:

The “Mission for Migrants” included a wreath laying ceremony and a tour of the border. It was inspired by the trip by Pope Francis to Lampedusa, Italy, last year to pray for migrants who died attempting to reach Europe by boat.

Members of the delegation have called upon Congress–specifically the House of Representatives–to move quickly to fix a broken system. While the U.S. Senate passed comprehensive immigration reform last year, the House has refused to move on the measure or pass its own version of reform.

During his homily delivered largely in Spanish, Cardinal O’Malley highlighted the 400 bodies found near the border every year and the 25,000 children, most of them Central American, who arrived in the United States last year unaccompanied by an adult.

“Often these immigrants have been met with suspicion and discrimination, but America at its best is not the bigotry and xenophobia of the no nothings, but the generous welcome of the New Colossus, that mighty woman with a Torah, the Statue of Liberty, the Mother of Exiles..." Cardinal O'Malley said in his homily. "Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me; I lift my lamp beside the golden door!” he concluded, quoting Emma Lazarus, adding: "We must be vigilant that that lamp continues to burn brightly”.

The bishops also called upon the Obama Administration to use its authority to limit deportations of immigrants “who are no threat to the community” and have families living in the United States and would benefit from a legalization program.