Why is the Catholic Church is in the middle of the migration debate? | Press Releases

If you have ever wondered why Catholic Church leaders have put themselves squarely in the middle of the migration debate, I hope you will consider attending at least some of the open discussions taking place at Fairfield University on July 19 and 20, when Catholic leaders from Georgetown, Fordham, the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc., Diocese of Orange, Center for Human Rights and International Justice and the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley, among others, will discuss this issue (see list of presenters below).

I will be happy to forward you the full schedule of events at your request, but may I suggest two sessions that might particularly address issues that arise in the public debate: Friday, July 20, 9 a.m.: What values underlie the diverse views of migration held by various international bodies, states, NGOs, and political movements?

Speakers: Rev. William O'Neill, S.J., Assoc. Professor of Ethics, Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley;Rev. John Langan, S.J., Professor of Philosophy, Georgetown University

10:45 a.m. - Do the international and Church institutions that address the needs of migrants suffice? Where are the gaps in migrant protection and integration?

Speakers: John Bingham, International Catholic Migration Commission; Rev. Rick Ryscavage, S.J., Professor of Sociology and International Studies and Director of the Center for Faith and Public Life at Fairfield University; Ruth Narita Doyle, Senior Research Scholar at Fordham University in the Department of Sociology & Anthropology.

Presenters:

Alex Arevalo, Immigration Counselor, Catholic Charities
John Bingham, International Catholic Migration Commission
Mary DeLorey, Policy Advisor, Catholic Relief Services
Ruth Narita Doyle, Senior Research Scholar at Fordham University in the Department of Sociology & Anthropology
Lauren Gilbert, Associate Professor of Law at St. Thomas University School of Law
Elzbieta Gozdziak, Director of Research at the Institute for the Study of International Migration (ISIM) at Georgetown University
Rev. David Hollenbach, S.J., Directorof the Center for Human Rights and International Justice and Professor of Theology at Boston College
Alexia Kelley, Executive Director, Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good
Donald Kerwin, Executive Director of the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC)
Rev. John Langan, S.J., Professor of Philosophy, Georgetown University
Rev. Gasper Lo Biondo, S.J., Director of the Woodstock Theological Center
Rev. William O'Neill, S.J., Assoc. Professor of Ethics, Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley
Michele Pistone, Professor of Law and Director of the Clinical Program at Villanova University School of Law
Mary Powers, Professor Emeritus, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Fordham University
Rev. Bill Rickle, S.J., Ph.D., Assistant for Latino Ministries, Maryland Province Jesuits
Rev. Rick Ryscavage, S.J., Professor of Sociology and International Studies and Director of the Center for Faith and Public Life at Fairfield University
Most Reverend Jaime Soto, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Orange
Mirna Torres, Director of Legalization and Advocacy, Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc.
Samuel Kofi Woods, Founder of the Justice and Peace Commission of the Catholic Church, and Liberian Minister of Labor (invited)