Bishop John E. Keehner of the Diocese of Sioux City released a pastoral letter yesterday (Wednesday) in response to growing national tensions surrounding immigration enforcement. Bishop Keehner writes that many immigrants within the diocese worship in local parishes, send their children to area schools, and contribute to local economies. He reiterates the positions previously expressed by the Iowa Catholic bishops and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, emphasizing that the church teaches that every person possesses inherent dignity regardless of nationality or legal status, and that policymakers should pursue responsible, comprehensive, and orderly immigration reform that is just and compassionate. Iowa’s bishops also acknowledged the nation’s right to regulate its borders in their previous letter. Keehner asks parishioners to pray for migrants and refugees, public officials, and local communities. Bishop Keehner’s full pastoral letter is included with this story on our website.
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