FAITH

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 “Fratelli Tutti: On Fraternity and Social Friendship” is a letter written by our current Pope, Pope Francis. In his letter, he emphasizes the importance of social friendship as being the key to a peaceful world. He calls for a sense of bringing everyone together because of our belonging as brothers and sisters.

- OTHER DOCUMENTS: 

           *Pope Leo XIII, “Rerum Novarum” (1891) https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_l-xiii_enc_15051891_rerum-novarum.html 

* Pope Pius XII, Apostolic Constitution “Exsul Familia Nazarethana” (1952) https://annalesecclesiaeucrainae.blogspot.com/2021/12/exsul-familia-family-in-exile.html#:~:text=It%20was%20Pius%20XII's%20Apostolic,(led%2Dsealed%20parchment).

* Saint Pope John XXIII, “Mater et Magistra” (1961) https://www.vatican.va/content/john-xxiii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_j-xxiii_enc_15051961_mater.html

* Pope Paul VI, “Populorum Progressio” (1967) https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_26031967_populorum.html

* Saint Pope John Paul II, “Centisimus Annus” (1991) https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_01051991_centesimus-annus.html

- As children under God, we are called to love one another as brothers and sisters and therefore treat each other with dignity and respect. The Catholic Church is committed to helping immigrants and refugees for several reasons, which are rooted in its teachings, values, and principles.

1. One of the fundamental teachings of Christianity is to love one's neighbor and show compassion to those in need. The Catholic Church sees helping immigrants as a direct expression of this teaching, emphasizing the importance of welcoming the stranger and caring for those who are marginalized or vulnerable.
2. Catholic social teaching emphasizes the dignity of every human person. Regardless of their immigration status or background, immigrants are seen as individuals deserving of respect, protection, and support.
3. The Church teaches the principle of solidarity, which calls for a sense of interconnectedness and responsibility toward all members of the human family. This includes caring for the needs of immigrants and refugees who are seeking a better life and refuge from various hardships.
4.  Many Catholic dioceses and parishes have established programs and services to support immigrants and refugees. These programs often provide practical assistance, legal aid, education, and community support.

BIBLE PASSAGES: 

Leviticus 19:33-34 : "When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God."

Exodus 22:21: "Do not mistreat or oppress a foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt."

Matthew 25:35 : "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in."

Hebrews 13:2 : "Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it."

Deuteronomy 10:18-19 : "He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing. And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt."

Romans 12:13 : "Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality."

Galatians 3:28: "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female,for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

Jeremiah 22:3 : "This is what the Lord says: Do what is just and right. Rescue from the hand of the oppressor the one who has been robbed. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place."