WASHINGTON — Leaders and participants in Hispanic Catholic ministry who gathered in Arlington April 26-30 for Raíces y Alas (Roots and Wings) headed to the halls of Congress April 27 to push lawmakers on some form of relief on immigration.
“Citizens and noncitizens alike, we are brothers and sisters in the eyes of Jesus Christ, and our current immigration system is burdensome, expensive, inefficient and far too often creates human suffering,” said Auxiliary Bishop Mario E. Dorsonville of Washington April 27 on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol.
Along with other bishops and leaders in ministry gathered for the sixth Raices y Alas national congress in Arlington, Bishop Dorsonville asked lawmakers to use their political power and responsibility to “address these issues” that force millions to live in hiding except when it comes to contributing with their work to the welfare of the nation.
Bishops and other people of goodwill in the United States have been advocating for a just and comprehensive immigration reform but to no avail, he said.
“We come in prayer to ask members of Congress, Republicans and Democrats, to work together to create solutions,” he said. “Immigration reform cannot wait any longer.”
Also present at the event, Emilce Cuda, Secretary of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, said “immigrants are not tourists,” but rather they contribute to countries as workers and shouldn’t be discarded by society.
She asked that they be provided better social conditions to survive and thrive in their adoptive countries.
Elisabeth Román, president of the National Catholic Council for Hispanic Ministry, which organized the Raices y Alas gathering, said the organization picked Arlington as the site of the event so the more than 400 members from more than 38 states could advocate for matters of social justice, which includes immigration, and to speak for essential workers who kept the country moving during the pandemic.
“We came here with our pastors, our bishops and not for partisan politics,” she said.
She urged Latinos in the country who are U.S. citizens to use their voting power.
“What is happening … is unacceptable,” she said. “And it’s time to do something.”
After the Capitol Hill event, participants attended Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington. Bishop Michael F. Burbidge concelebrated with Archbishop Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States.
Bishop Burbidge also attended a dinner following the Mass and met with other bishops at a breakfast the next day.
