Faces of Refugees

By Bishop Paul S. Loverde
Herald Columnist
(From the issue of 6/23/05)

In 1975, the first refugees came to Northern Virginia. Over 3,000 Vietnamese refugees resettled here carrying with them few belongings and much hope. That same year the first Bishop of the Arlington Diocese, the Bishop Thomas J. Welsh, appointed Deacon Daniel Resendes to assist in the resettlement of these "strangers." The Arlington Diocese welcomed the refugees through parish sponsorship and generous giving. On behalf of so many, I thank you for your willingness to serve and welcome those who are now no longer strangers, but neighbors working side by side to welcome the next generation of refugees.

Today, the faces of refugees have changed. With civil conflict and persecution throughout Africa and the Middle East, we now look to a new challenge of "welcoming the stranger." The reasons for seeking refuge are the same: the desperate search for a safe place from threat of death or persecution in their homelands.

As Pope John Paul II wrote, "‘The Church hears the suffering cry of all who are uprooted from their own land, of families forcefully separated, of those who, in the rapid changes of our day, are unable to find a stable home anywhere."

The Church sees the need in the eyes and hearts of these people and knows that it is a call to continuing action. The Diocesan Office of Migration and Refugee Services is that arm of action for our parishes. Thousands come through our doors with faces of fear, worry, distress and sadness. They enter our small basement office on Glebe Road to find a warm welcome along with the promise of hope. They come to our diocese from all over the world. From Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, they come here to begin their lives anew.

On Wednesday, June 22, I celebrated with the staff, refugees and numerous supporters 30 years of serving refugees in the Arlington Diocese. Our Diocesan Office of Migration and Refugee Services has embraced so many of our new neighbors — regardless of their ethnicity, language and religious beliefs — to show them the same compassion Christ always showed to those who came to Him in need. I encourage you to learn more about this apostolate and those it serves. These are the strangers we must welcome as we would welcome our Savior.

The words of Christ echo in our hearts and impel us to ongoing service to these sisters and brothers: "For I was…a stranger and you welcomed me…Amen, I say to you, whatsoever you did for one of these least brothers [and sisters] of mine, you did for me (cf. Mt. 25:35, 40)."

 Copyright ©2005 Arlington Catholic Herald.  All rights reserved.