Nick Rause 

Dr. Gabrielli 

Faith, Religion, and Society: LA 150.03

5 December 2018

Catholic Social Teaching Exposes the Faults in Immigration Today

Today is November 12th, 2018. The typical suburban family is watching the news on

their television. Their eyes are glued to the screen as they watch nearly 5,000 refugees wait at the

Tijuana, Mexico and United States border. Some of these refugees have traveled 3,000 miles

from all over Central America, especially Honduras, to seek asylum in the United States

(Domonoske). Some questions arise at this family gathering, “What is seeking asylum?” and

“Why are these people seeking asylum?” These questions involve deep political issues as well as

moral issues. Many people have contrasting views on the policies and actions being taken, but

people who view it from a “Catholic Social Teaching” point of view would all agree on a

common fix to the problem the world is facing today.

What is Catholic Social Teaching? Catholic Social Teaching is the history of the church’s

reflection upon a variety of social justice issues for the good of all (Gabrielli, 2018). The

immigration of people has been happening for hundreds years. Our country was founded by

immigrants, thus we are a country of immigrants. “Refugee” is the new term for immigrants and

these are people who have been forced out of their home country for various reasons. The idea of

Catholic Social Teaching would suggest that these refugees are no different than the citizens of

the United States, even though they have different backgrounds, we are all brothers and sisters,

children of God, and it is our responsibility to stand in solidarity with the refugees and provide

them with security.

 The people of the world are all one human family, regardless of our national, racial,

ethnic, economic, and ideological differences (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops).

This stems from one of the seven themes of Catholic Social Teaching. The refugees have come

from all over Central America, bringing their different faiths and cultures with them. Catholic

Social Teaching suggests that even though they have been forced out of their own countries for

reasons we may never know, we can not isolate them. These refugees can not be segregated into

groups based on their looks or beliefs. These same people who deserve the basic necessities for

life deserve them under catholic social teaching. Many of them are incapable of achieving basic

necessities in life because of the situation they used to be in. Their basic necessities were

stripped from them because of the turmoil of their countries. 

These refugees that are stationed at the border have left their countries because of

destruction and war. They also are fleeing because of poverty and violence (Semotiuk). Coming

to America provides the refugees a better life, opportunity to provide for their families, and

safety, which is the idea of Catholic Social Teaching. The United States government and the

citizens are responsible for aiding these refugees. This means to provide them with homes,

opportunity for work, and any other basic need in life as Catholic Social Teaching suggests. The

United States Conference of Bishops claims, “The economy exists for the person, not the person

exists for the economy” (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops). The economy in the

United States needs to provide for these people in terms of housing and work. This will provide

the opportunity for refugees and their families to provide themselves with the basic necessities

for everyday life. Until then, the refugees need us to provide these necessities for them because

they are the poor and vulnerable (USCCB Committee on Migration). The quote from

Quadragesimo implies that if individuals can provide for themselves, they need to be able to
provide for the entire family of mankind to truly serve the purpose (XI, Pope Pius,

Quadragesimo, 45). The purpose that they are implying is that of the common good, which is the

right to own property and make effective use of it for the people. The land of the United States

would be put to effective use by providing the refugees with places to live and work. The people

who already own land would not have to forfeit their land but allow it to become of better use if

it is not already. The common good encompasses many ideas, allowing all people to participate

in society through aid. 

The United States as well as many agencies separate from the government look to

provide vulnerable people, like the refugees, with connections and aid. This fits in perfectly with

Catholic Social Teaching. The refugees come to America with nothing, usually only the clothes

on their backs. Occasionally, some will come with a few possessions. Also, most refugees come

with little skills or knowledge about how life works in the states. Again, since we are all children

of God, it is our responsibility to be our brother and sisters keepers (United States Conference of

Catholic Bishops). Services are constructed and implemented to help the refugees in resettlement

and job search. Agencies like the Migration and Refugee Services is the answer. Migration and

Refugee Services’ mission statement claims that they are, “Grounded by our belief in Jesus

Christ and Catholic teaching, Migration and Refugee Services (MRS) fulfills the commitment of

the U.S. Catholic bishops to protect the life and dignity of the human person. We serve and

advocate for refugees, asylees, migrants, unaccompanied children, and victims of human

trafficking,” (USCCB Committee on Migration). The mission statement explicitly claims that

MRS protects the life and dignity of the human person. One can argue in saying that since they

claim that their belief is grounded in Catholic Teaching, then that “human person” includes
everyone, even the refugees. This follows Catholic Social Teaching as well. The service provides

the refugees with the promise to protect life. 

“The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the

human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. This belief is the foundation of all

the principles of our social teaching” (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops). The phrase

“life is sacred” comes straight from the bible, “All life is sacred. Human life is especially so.

Protecting it is of utmost importance to God” (New Genesis Translation, Genesis 9:8-10). One

who follows the ideas and themes of Catholic Social Teaching is a follower of God and the

catholic church. Catholic Social Teaching also came from the idea of how God wanted his

people to act. He revealed himself to us through Jesus, his only son, to share the gift of love

(United States Conference of Catholic Bishops). The refugees are people who need love, care,

and safety. God has taught and expects Catholics to love everyone. This is also shown in

Catholic Social Teaching in terms of solidarity. Solidarity flows from the mystery of the trinity,

which interconnects everything (Laudato Si, Pope Francis, 240). “The Gospel calls us to be

peacemakers. Our love for all our sisters and brothers demands that we promote peace in a world

surrounded by violence and conflict” (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops). Since the

refugees are considered our brothers and sisters in the context of Catholic Social Teaching, God

call us to love them. 

God has a large impact on the Catholic Social Teaching and refugees in today’s society.

The civil society was created for the common good, which is concerned for the interests of all 

people (Pope Leo XIII, Rerum Novarum, 35). The refugees are coming to America to seek better

lives. Most likely, they have no other choice but to come. The United States has its policies on

the process on whether to let the refugees in or not. Catholic Social Teaching suggests that
 everyone, including the refugees that want to come in should be allowed because it would be of

their best interest to them. The refugees are fleeing their home countries because of war and

violence. Seeking asylum in America allows the refugees the opportunity of a better life. It is our

obligation to protect and secure the safeness of our brothers and sisters. The poor and vulnerable

need to be the greatest obligation as a catholic social teaching follower. In the world, there may

not be any more vulnerable than these refugees. These refugees were stripped of the happiness

and basic necessities of life and a Catholic Social Teaching supporter would not stand for that.

Catholic Social Teaching is created to ensure the common good for all people, created as though

people are not individuals but rather embedded in relationships (Gabrielli, 2018).

Works Cited

“BibleGateway.” Acts 3:9-10 NIV , Bible Gateway Blog, www.biblegateway.com/passage/?

search=Genesis%2B9%3A8-10&version=NTE.

Domonoske, Camila, and Richard Gonzales. “FACT CHECK: What's Happening On The U.S.-Mexico

Border?” NPR, NPR, 27 Nov. 2018, www.npr.org/2018/11/27/670807343/fact-check-whats-

happening-on-the-u-s-mexico-border.

Gabrielli , Dr. “Catholic Social Teaching .” Faith Religion and Society: SLA 150 03. 2018.

Pope Francis . “ LAUDATO SI’ .” On Care for Our Common Home: Laudato Si': Encyclical Letter,

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2015.

Pope Leo XIII. “Rerum Novarum.” Received by To Our Venerable Brethren the Patriarchs, Primates,

Archbishops, Bishops, and other ordinaries of places having Peace and Communion with the

Apostolic See.
Semotiuk, Andy J. “A Caravan To The Promised Land?” Forbes, Forbes Magazine, 24 Oct. 2018,

www.forbes.com/sites/andyjsemotiuk/2018/10/24/a-caravan-to-the-promised-

land/#16d593f3e296.

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2005. “Seven Themes of Catholic Social

Teaching .”Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching, 2018, www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-

teachings/what-we-believe/catholic-social-teaching/seven-themes-of-catholic-social-

teaching.cfm.

USCCB Committee on Migration. “Migration and Refugee Services .” Seven Themes of Catholic Social

Teaching , 2013, www.usccb.org/about/migration-and-refugee-services/.

XI, Pope Pius. “QUADRAGESIMO ANNO.” On Reconstructing the Social Order: Quadragesimo,

NCWC, 1942.