Catholic Charities Fort Worth (CCFW) released a statement via its website on Jun. 19 regarding the current U.S. policy on border separations, including ways that local community members can help. The organization then followed up with an additional statement regarding the newer Executive Order allowing families at the U.S. / Mexico border to remain together.
The initial statement from Bishop Michael Olson conveyed that he and CCFW disagreed with the border separations. He stated, “Separating children from their mothers and fathers in an already traumatic time in their lives as immigrants seeking asylum is inhumane and morally wrong without due regard for the safety and protection of the children and informed consent of their parents.”
He went on to confirm that CCFW is housing separated children, saying, “The Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth and Catholic Charities Fort Worth, as in the past, will live out our mission to help those in need. Through its International Foster Care Program and The Assessment Center, Catholic Charities Fort Worth has received and is assisting children who have been separated from their parents at the U.S./Mexico border. Catholic Charities staff stands ready to expand the program as needed.”
The second statement, also by Bishop Olson, was released after President Trump signed the Jun. 20 Executive Order allowing families at the U.S. / Mexico border to remain together. He said: “I am grateful for President Trump’s executive order that places a priority on the safety of vulnerable children of migrants detained at the US/Mexico border. The executive order likewise places a preference for keeping families together as they await a more prompt adjudication of their cases…While this executive order takes away the unwarranted separation of parents from their children, the current situation requires that the United States Congress now collaborate in good faith with the executive branch in effecting systematic and comprehensive immigration reform and to provide a plan to address the needs for the 2,000 children already separated from their parents during the past seven weeks. Our leaders in Congress have a serious responsibility and moral obligation to do so in accord with due and proper respect for legitimate authority.”
He concluded the statement by saying that CCFW will continue to remain prepared to assist in several ways, including providing housing for children of asylum seekers in immediate need, if required.
Bishop Olson also shared ways that members of the North Texas community can help, including donating funds and goods, and becoming a foster parent. Read the full statement here.
ABOUT CATHOLIC CHARITIES DIOCESE OF FORT WORTH
CCFW’s Mission is to provide service to those in need, to advocate compassion and justice in the structures of society, and to call all people of goodwill to do the same. Read more on the organization’s website.
