Recalling Mary and Joseph as “illegal immigrants” seeking shelter, San Diego’s Roman Catholic leader made a pilgrimage to the border Saturday to share words of hope and solidarity.
“We are praying and hoping that the policies which emerge from the new administration will be focused upon deporting those who have committed crimes,” Bishop Robert McElroy said, “and that they will not begin mass deportations of young people that have lived their lives here and know nothing other than that.”
Speaking to Times of San Diego before the 23rd annual La Posada Sin Fronteras (posada without borders), McElroy hailed the “wonderful tradition” that drew 200 to the U.S. side of the fence at Friendship Park in Border Field State Park.
But it’s particularly important this year and at this place, he said as the first San Diego bishop to attend the rite recalling Mary and Joseph seeking shelter in Bethlehem.
“This is a time in which there is great unease and suffering and fear within the undocumented community and with all of us in our nation who stand with and care for and serve the undocumented community,” he said on world Human Rights Day. “And so my place was to be here at this moment as a sign of that support and solidarity.”
“We know the grace of God stands especially with our immigrant communities here in the United States and Mexico,” he said. “For Christ himself, who was an immigrant and refugee, speaks to us about the love which exists for God in the hearts of those who suffer greatly, in the marginalized and dispossessed.”
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