Welcome Immigrants and Refugees

A Congregational Statement of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace

The sisters and associates of the Congregation of Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace want to express our grave concern for refugees, asylum seekers, and our migrant brothers and sisters. Our Congregation "had its origin in the founder's response to the social concerns and needs of the time." (Constitution 4) At our founding, we were a congregation of immigrants, serving immigrants, knowing their pain and suffering.

We believe that we are all brothers and sisters and that everyone has the right to be treated with human dignity. Earth is a gift of our Creator to be shared by all of Earth's families, not just by those who claim to own a piece of it. Nations have the right to control immigration and an obligation to provide safety for citizens, but they do not have the right to close borders to all refugees and asylum seekers who are in need.

Therefore, we urge:

  • all governments to follow international law and expeditiously provide safe haven for refugees and asylum seekers with all rights guaranteed in the UN Convention and Protocol on Refugees

  • the U.S. and U.K. governments to allow citizens willing to serve refugees the opportunity to offer hospitality as an expression of their faith

  • an immediate end to all rhetoric that instills fear, creates division, or incites violence, regardless of the migrant's faith or nation of origin.

As a Congregation committed to peace through justice, we know addressing the present crisis is not enough. To find a truly peaceful resolution we must repent of our own actions and call attention to national policies that are the root causes of forced migration. Among these policies are: the creation of great divergence of wealth among and within nations, our acceptance of war and sales of weapons to nations already in turmoil, our excessive dependence on fossil fuels and the resultant displacement forced by rising seas.

June 5, 2016

Click here to download a PDF of this statement

Read our letter to Pope Francis regarding the Statement

Press Coverage:

The Catholic Universe (PDF)