In response to an uptick of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) presence in his archdiocese in recent weeks, Archbishop Alexander Sample of Portland, Oregon, has encouraged all those worried — especially Hispanic Catholics — to take refuge in Jesus Christ.
“It is with a heavy heart that I address all of you, my dear people,” the archbishop said in a statement Nov. 8 at the annual meeting of U.S. bishops. “My heart is heavy because of the continued fear and anxiety that runs through the community of our Hispanic brothers and sisters in this Archdiocese. This is due to the increased ICE activity within our communities, even now in the vicinity of some of our parishes.”
Archbishop Sample said bishops across the country are concerned for the wellbeing of Hispanic Catholics.
“I want to assure our Hispanic brothers and sisters that the shepherds of the church in the United States are working diligently to advocate for their humane and respectful treatment,” he said in the statement. “We are doing all that we can to alleviate this suffering.”
The archbishop also said that all Catholics, regardless of their immigration status, are brothers and sisters to each other and possess human dignity. He assured those suffering that he and all pastors in the archdiocese stand in solidarity with them.
He encouraged the faithful to find comfort in Christ.
“I ask all of us to lean on the love that Jesus has for each one of us,” he said in his statement. “He alone is our hope, and in him alone do we trust. He is with you always and will never abandon you. Place yourselves in his hands.”
The archbishop concluded by assuring all the faithful of his prayers and closed with the words, “Viva Christo Rey!” a Spanish phrase that means “Long live Christ the King” and was used by Catholics during the Cristero War.
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