Minnesota Catholics to observe 'Immigration Sunday'

Minnesota's Catholic bishops hope the Jan. 4 event will raise awareness of "outdated" U.S. policy on immigrants.

By JEFF STRICKLER, Star Tribune

Last update: December 16, 2008 - 7:10 PM

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Calling for "compassionate dialogue" on immigration reform, the Minnesota Catholic Conference announced that Jan. 4 will be "Immigration Sunday" in the state's parishes.

The conference, the public policy voice of the Roman Catholic Church in Minnesota, made the announcement Tuesday to commemorate the two-year anniversary of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid on the Swift and Co. meatpacking plant in Worthington. The conference said that fallout from that raid and others has had "a devastating impact on immigrant families and our rural communities."

Jan. 4 was chosen for Immigration Sunday because it coincides with the Feast of Epiphany, said Sister Anna Marie Reha, director of the Hispanic ministry for the Diocese of New Ulm. "That feast celebrates the unity of being one human family. This is a chance to recognize and celebrate the gifts and benefits immigrants share with us."

The conference also hopes the day's events will raise awareness that "the immigration policy is outdated and the system is broken," said Bishop Bernard Harrington of the Diocese of Winona. He cited cases of immigrants in the Worthington raid being whisked away without even being able to say goodbye to their children.

"We need to be aware of the hardships and injustices happening right here in our own community," he said.

Although calling for reform, the Jan. 4 activities are not intended to advocate for specific actions, said Kevin Appleby, director of migration and refugee policy for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

"That's something that the politicians need to take care of," he said. "There are Catholics on both political sides of the immigration issues, but I think all Catholics agree that we want this solved in a compassionate way."

Jeff Strickler • 612-673-7392