Immigration and Catholic Social Teaching
Overview of the Presentation
In the fall of 2017, Kristin E. Heyer听gave a public presentation entitled 鈥淜inship Across Borders: Catholic Ethics and Migration.鈥� In it, she offers insights regarding the issue of immigration and the way in which Catholic ethics and social teaching can shape how we think about migration today. 听After providing a window on the reality of immigrant experience here in the United States, Dr. Heyer explores the contribution that Scripture and Catholic ethics can make in challenging the present political and economic discussions.听 The impact of present practices toward immigrants is examined, with a particular emphasis on women and families.听 Dr. Heyer concludes her presentation with some signs of hope.听听
Kristin E. Heyer, 艾可直播 College professor of theology听
Using this Resource
This resource is a guide to using an STM Online: Encore presentation as a conversation starter with members of a faith community.听 Each part of the presentation may be used separately, in combinations with each other, or in a sequence over a period of time.听 For example, a catechetical leader might use each part of the presentation over the course of a year at meetings with catechists.听 A pastor may choose to use only one segment to encourage discussion on a related agenda item.听 鈥淚mmigration and Catholic Social Teaching鈥� has broad application to issues facing faith communities today.听 Consider using one or more segments with a parish pastoral council, or with a social justice or outreach committee.
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Heyer begins by setting the contemporary political scene within which immigrants are viewed and understood.听 She then counters that with a reflection on her own experience of immigrants, which is quite different from the political characterization.听
PDF Transcript (opens new window)
Questions for Reflection or Discussion:
1.听听听听听听 How does your experience with migrants shape your understanding of and response to the present political discussions?
2.听听听听听听 How might you and/or your faith community develop opportunities to engage and accompany migrants in your area?
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Overview:
Beginning with the image of the Holy Family as refugees when they fled from Bethlehem to Egypt after Jesus鈥檚 birth, Heyer highlights a central theme of the Gospels: bringing justice and compassion to the poor.听 This section also focuses on the Good Samaritan and its implications for Catholic ethical thought.
PDF Transcript (opens new window)
Questions for Reflection or Discussion:
1.听听听听Whom do you see as the immigrant?听 Describe the image you hold of the immigrants in your midst.
2.听听听听What elements of the Good Samaritan story contribute to your understanding of what Catholic ethics says about how we perceive and treat immigrants?
3.听听听听What other images or stories from the Gospels give you insight into the core elements of a Catholic perspective of migration?
Overview:
This section looks at the themes that shape a Christian immigration ethic. Heyer highlighted the effect of a privatized ethic and the need for a collective response for addressing the needs of migrants. 听Heyer builds on Catholic Social Teaching with its emphasis on the dignity of the human person, the inherent relationality of all people, and the call for the common good.听
PDF Transcript (opens new window)
Questions for Reflection or Discussion:
1.听听听听听听 In this section of the video, what themes from Catholic Social Teaching drew your attention? What challenges do you see in giving expression to those within your community?
2.听听听听听听 What elements of American culture do you think work against an awareness of the communal nature of our responsibility?听 听How do we address these?
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Overview:
Here Heyer brings to the fore the detrimental effect of present immigration policies, particularly on women and families. She sees these present policies as a threat to key Catholic family values.
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PDF Transcript (opens new window)
Questions for Reflection or Discussion:
1.听听听听听听 What did you find surprising or concerning about the discussion of the 鈥渇eminization of migration鈥� and the impact of migration and immigration policy on women and families? 听What types of support might be needed to minimize these impacts?
2.听听听听听听 How might your faith community serve as a resource for those struggling with families divided by immigration policies?
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Overview:
Where does our hope come from as we strive to address issues of immigration?听 Heyer looks to Pope Francis鈥檚 witness to encounter and solidarity; to those who have spoken prophetically about the demands this issue makes on the Church; and to the courage of those willing to share their own stories as immigrants and refugees.
Mentioned in this section: Ali Noorani, There Goes the Neighborhood: How Communities Overcome Prejudice and Meet the Challenge of American Immigration. 听Prometheus Books, 2017.
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PDF Transcript (opens new window)
Questions for Reflection or Discussion:
1.听听听听听听 As you think about the issues surrounding immigration in this country, what do you see as signs of hope?
2.听听听听听听 How might you and your faith community be a sign of hope?
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Heyer, Kristin E. 听Kinship Across Borders: A Christian Ethic of Immigration. Georgetown: Georgetown University Press, 2012.
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