By Bishop Michael F. Burbidge
“For I was … a stranger and you welcomed me.” (Mt 25:35)
Our Lord spoke these words toward the end of Matthew’s Gospel in a parable which addresses the judgment of the nations and the criterion for this judgment. That criterion is Jesus, who identifies himself with those who are hungry, thirsty, sick, imprisoned and strangers in the land. “Whatsoever you did for one of these least … you did for me.” (Mt 25:40)
In this way, the Lord strengthens the divine command, found throughout the Old Testament, that God’s people should have a special care for strangers, aliens and sojourners who were living in the midst of the people of Israel — those whom we would today call migrants or refugees. The Israelites were to act with charity toward such persons because they themselves had the experience of being migrants and dwelling in a land that was not their homeland. For example, we read in the Book of Exodus (22:21), “You shall not wrong a stranger or oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” Similar passages are found in Leviticus (19:34), Deuteronomy (10:18-19) and Job (31:32). Perhaps it is not too difficult to see in these injunctions what Jesus himself would later tell his disciples: “Do to others as you would have them do to you” (Lk 6:31; Mt 7:12).
These Scriptural texts provide a foundation for Catholic social teaching on the issue of migration. Beginning in a formal way with Pope Leo XIII’s 1891 encyclical letter “Rerum Novarum” and continuing to our own day, the church has developed a rich body of teaching pertaining to migration, the rights of migrants, and the need for greater efforts to counteract the causes of forced migration.
The church’s teaching rests upon some essential principles which can help us think about the issue of migration in light of our faith. The first is that of the dignity of each human person, made in God’s image (Gen 1:26-27) and destined for eternal life. Basing himself on this principle, Pope Francis urged us to see that “migrants and refugees do not only represent a problem to be solved, but are brothers and sisters to be welcomed, respected and loved.”
The church further affirms that people have the right either to migrate or to remain in their homeland. While individuals or families may choose to migrate, many others are forced to do so because of conflict, poverty, natural disasters, and political or religious persecution. In response to forced migration, in 2023 Pope Francis called upon individual countries and the international community “to ensure that all enjoy the right not to be forced to emigrate, in other words, the chance to live in peace and with dignity in one’s own country.” At the same time, Catholic social teaching is clear that government policy should assist families compelled to seek safety, security and a new life outside of their homeland to remain together, and that parents and children should not be separated.
The church recognizes that nations can regulate people’s exercise of their right to migrate because unregulated migration may “do harm and be detrimental to the common good of the community that receives the migrant,” according to Pope John Paul II. In this regard, a resource from the USCCB’s Committee on Migration observes, “Those who work to enforce our nation’s immigration laws often do so out of a sense of loyalty to the common good and compassion for poor people seeking a better life.” That a nation may prudently control its borders should not be considered wrong or immoral in itself. What is crucial, however, is that a country’s immigration policies be governed by justice, wisdom, mercy, and above all, love.
These virtues are especially needed when questions arise concerning undocumented immigrants. Pope John Paul II stated that illegal immigration should be prevented, yet he also pointed out that those with irregular status do not lose their human dignity nor their fundamental human rights which cannot be violated or ignored. In this regard, the church advocates for immigration reform that provides a path to legal status for all deserving of it, including those who have fled war, poverty and persecution, and who are good neighbors and contributors to the societies in which they now live. In the same message, Pope John Paul II also emphasized that the church must be a place where the undocumented can be recognized and accepted as brothers and sisters and where their need to pray, hear the Word of God and receive the sacraments should be met. Indeed, the church is called to offer her sacramental, pastoral, educational and social services to those who seek them, regardless of their legal status.
Migration is a complex reality, both for our nation and worldwide. The church, while acknowledging this complexity, calls us to act toward migrants and refugees with compassion and love. Pope Leo XIV has reminded us in various ways that when we extend hospitality, advocate for just policies, and support those forced to leave their homelands, we are living out the truth of the Gospel: That in welcoming the stranger, we are indeed welcoming Jesus himself.
