With July 4, the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, just around the corner, the Catholic bishops of Ohio are among those preparing to celebrate the nation’s semiquincentennial.
Bishop Edward Malesic and Auxiliary Bishop Michael Woost joined the other Ohio bishops in a statement released June 22, “America at 250: Freedom and the Common Good,” in which they note Haitians in Ohio are awaiting a U.S. Supreme Court decision on their Temporary Protection Status.
In the document, prepared by the Catholic Conference of Ohio, the bishops “reflect upon the promises of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and to worship God free from government intervention. We take seriously the truth that our rights come from God and recognize the great blessings that God has bestowed on our country. Therefore, as proud and faithful citizens of the United States, we need to take responsibility to support the common good of our country and to love our neighbors as ourselves.”
They acknowledge that problems exist, specifically highlighting the Haitians’ TPS situation, for which the bishop say they see “no moral justification.”
They wrote: “Welcoming immigrants and refugees represents the Christian ideals our country stands on. The denial of a dignified life for law-abiding families fleeing an unstable home and contributing to the common good signifies how much easier it is to declare that we are ‘one nation under God’ rather than to actually do the will of our Heavenly Father.” (Mt 7:21)
The country “… has continued to fail in its attempts to achieve comprehensive reform of our immigration policy. As bishops, we affirm the nation’s right and responsibility to regulate immigration and protect its borders for the sake of the common good and to address genuine public threats, including ensuring order in communities so that individuals and families already in our country can flourish. Immigrants who commit violent crimes or disturb the public order should not expect to stay in Ohio or elsewhere in the country, nor should any known criminal be allowed to enter or remain within the borders of the United States.”
They also expressed confidence that as the U.S. moved forward, we “ … should seek to integrate those who strive to work and raise their families in peace. Like so many of you, we yearn for political leadership that can deliberate effectively without the partisan rancor that so often seems to take precedence over legislation for the common good. Looking back over our nation’s rich history, with its faith-centered values of welcoming those who seek refuge while ensuring the safety and order of our communities, can reveal a way forward.”
They also ask Catholics everywhere “to pray for America at 250 years and to reflect on our responsibility as citizens and followers of Jesus Christ.”
Read the entire statement here.
The CCO, established in 1945, is the official voice of the Catholic Church in Ohio on matters of public policy and government relations. It is the second-oldest bishops’ conference in the country.