ARCHBISHOP'S STATEMENT ON IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES
"I invite all our Catholic communities to join me in supporting our migrant brothers and sisters as we advocate for meaningful immigration reform ... May we never tire of being Christ-centered in our unity as People of God, Pilgrims of Hope, and Missionary Disciples of Jesus Christ, Savior of the World."
On January 27, 2025, Archbishop Charles C. Thompson of Indianapolis issued a pubic statement about the Catholic Church's teachings concerning refugees and immigrants. The statement seeks to balance the Catholic Church's tradition for respecting the dignity of every person created in the image of God with the Catholic Church's recognition of the responsibility of each sovereign nation to maintain proper security. The archbishop recognizes that Catholic parishioners, Catholic parishes, schools and institutions (such as soup kitchens) will be negatively affected by "recent threats of aggressive immigration enforcement".
"Using the foundational principles of the Church's social and moral teaching, we will continue to advocate for the just and dignified treatment of migrants as well as for national immigration reform. ... Serious offenders with a history of harming U.S. citizens and immigrants, however, should not find protection under these refoms."
You can read the full statement here:
On January 27, 2025, the Archdiocese of Indianapolis issued guidelines for Catholic parishes, schools, and other institutions concerning cooperation with officers from the Department of Homeland Security and with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The guidelines recognize that: