Canada welcomed World Refugee Day June 20 with at least 45,000 already-sponsored refugees scattered across the globe, stuck waiting as long as four years while their ready-and-willing sponsors marvel at the willingness of the Canadian government bureaucracy to squander their dedication, faith and goodwill.
Demand grows in Canada to clear refugee backlog
Bishops urge renewed dedication to efforts to protect religious liberty
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is calling for renewed dedication to protecting religious freedom with the launching of this year’s Fortnight for Freedom, “Freedom for Mission.”
Archbishop Broglio asks prayers for those who perished in ship collision
The head of the U.S. military archdiocese June 20 expressed sorrow for the lives lost in “the tragic ship collision” involving the USS Fitzgerald off the coast of Japan.
Refugee-turned-reporter recounts Catholic agencies’ role in resettlement
A HuffPost reporter and refugee, Igor Bobic, told a Washington audience June 19 about his own experience and the twists and turns that led to being resettled with his parents in the United States and the part Catholic agencies played in his family’s new life.
Chaldeans protest ICE detentions outside federal building in Detroit
The organizer of a June 16 protest in Detroit against federal agents’ rounding up more than 100 Iraqi-American immigrants told local media that those who were detained had no prior warning that Immigration and Customs Enforcement would be arresting them the morning of June 11.
USCCB leaders decry attack outside London mosque, pray for victims
The U.S. Catholic bishops “unequivocally reject” acts of violence such as the attack outside a London mosque and pleaded with all people “to cease from committing or plotting to commit further acts.”
World Refugee Day aims to raise awareness of global refugee situation
The annual observance of World Refugee Day June 20 “provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the global refugee situation and the success of resettled refugees,” an official with the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops said in a June 19 statement.
Catholic church leaders call for dialogue between the U.S. and Cuba
Cardinal Jaime Ortega is calling for a continued dialogue and encounter between Cuba and the United States.